Report from our last happy hour: Haiti, Oxfam-Québec and online fund raising

It might have been the recent humanitarian crises in the headlines, the recent rapid growth of Koumbit, or a curiosity about the potential of free software in the non-profit sector, but we almost didn't have enough room for the presentation of Oxfam Quebec's Myriam Antaki, the speaker at our most recent 5 à 7, last Friday, March 26th, 2010.

It's clear to Oxfam Quebec that the recent disasters in Haiti, which struck a population already ravaged by famine, have had a significant mobilizing effect. Their experience and an influx of donations have permitted Oxfam Quebec to deal with the most urgent needs -- water, food, shelter, mobile clinics, and sanitation facilities -- but much remains to be done. Essential supplies must be delivered to people who have not yet received any aid. Haitian people themselves must control the path of their development. None of this can happen without tackling fundamental questions such as institutionalized injustice and unsustainable development, since misery doesn't happen by accident, and neither do solutions.

Public donations are the lifeblood of an organization taking on these challenges, and Myriam described how Drupal, Übercart, and CiviCRM together form a versatile and effective tool. Oxfam has created Sans emballage, an online store where instead of purchasing manufactured goods, one can buy schoolbooks, a shelter for women, or even a camel (all of these items are provided to a developing country; the donor receives a printable electronic card). The public can also create their own fundraising drive on Oxfam's website, take the interactive World Water Day challenge, and sign petitions. Oxfam's website gives anyone interested in donating their time or money an impressive number of options.

Oxfam asked Koumbit to build its CiviCRM system in 2007, and to migrate their primary website to Drupal 5 in 2008. Their next major step is to upgrade to Drupal 6, which Myriam assures us she can't wait to do. Koumbit is glad its relationship with Oxfam Quebec continues to grow, and to be able to contribute to an undertaking as important as the end of poverty.