Throughout the world, there are countries that are ridden with poverty and neglect.  In South America this problem is widespread, touching every country in this amazing continent.  From this problem of poverty spring the ever-growing issues of street children, young single mothers, poor healthcare, and low levels of education.  While some of the governments of these countries have taken some action to improve the situation, many times this is far too slow or ineffective, if it ever even occurs at all.
           
To address these issues and try to improve the lives of many of these people, many organizations, both foreign and domestic, have been created in the recent years.  These organizations work to address these issues by providing anything from education, shelter, and food for the street children, to professional training for young mothers, to free medical attention for the extremely poor. 

The majority of these organizations are only able to function through the continuous monetary support from foundations, donations, and grants, and through the invaluable time and donations given by volunteers from every part of the world.

In order to help with these issues, we are creating a non-profit, charitable organization to raise funds, providing the much needed financial assistance to these other organizations and projects.  Volunteer Cause is primarily an online store, selling the beautiful crafts that can be found throughout South America.  It will essentially provide a two-ended financial support system to people of South America.

By purchasing the merchandise directly from the people in these countries who handcraft the items, we are providing a steady source of income supporting those hardworking families and communities.  With our ability to sell and ship these items abroad, to Europe and the U.S., one that none of these people have, we are able to earn a substantial profit on each item, of which all will go directly back to the projects and organizations that are working so hard to improve this part of the world everyday.  Additionally, it is our desire to financially assist other volunteers with financial need, giving them the opportunity to change others’ live and their own, and providing more volunteer support to these projects.  By supporting projects and organizations and volunteers with funds, we can have a great impact, one that is much more efficient and effective that simply providing money directly to the people in poverty.

In these initial stages of the development of Volunteer Cause, we are hoping to get as much support and assistance as possible.  Our idea is a relatively simple one, but it is one that we believe will eventually produce wonderful results, and help those people of the world who need it most.