Blog

Why I give: Pamela Roussos

November 14, 2019
Manturia Devi Chaudhary, in Nepal, didn't know how to write her name when she joined WORTH. Now she runs a successful small business.

I give my time, I mentor social entrepreneurs through Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship and I serve on several non-profit boards. But that isn't enough to solve the huge problems of poverty and climate change. It takes all of us, with talent and treasure, to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a shared vision of prosperity and peace for humans and the planet.  

Pact is doing very important work to give agency to the poor and marginalized in almost 40 countries. Its systemic approach in communities, integrating health outcomes with livelihoods with natural resource management, for instance, is imperative to create lasting change. And at the end of the day that's what I want to see, persistent change that helps communities get back to thriving.     

I was introduced to Pact through WORTH, which I fell in love with. How can one not love WORTH? Empowering women by teaching them to read and providing them training in financial literacy and how to save their own money is changing communities. I've been fortunate to have sat in WORTH circles and spoken with the women; they shared with pride the respect they now have in their families and in their communities. They are making their dreams reality.  

To anyone considering giving to Pact, it will be the best investment you can make to help poor and marginalized communities become thriving and resilient.  

Pamela Roussos is chief community officer at Santa Clara University’s Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship. She is a Pact board member and donor. 

Join Pact in its mission to end poverty and marginalization at pactworld.org/donate.