Why should people in the United States contribute money to help poverty-stricken people in other countries?

Theresa Rhodes thinks about that question every day. As Senior Director for relief organization CARE in Washington DC, it's Theresa's job not only to think about that question but to come up with good answers. She is responsible for helping to raise money from people, foundations, and businesses in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia to help support CARE's work in countries around the world.

She knows the question is a difficult one. After all, there are many needs in the United States: for homeless people or children without access to food or clean water or for people who have suffered from a flood or earthquake. With needy people so close to home, why should people in the United States want to help people halfway around the world in India or Somalia or the Sudan?

Since 1946, when CARE began delivering "CARE Packages" of food and medicine from the U.S. to people in war-torn Europe and Asia, CARE has been known around the world as an expert at helping people respond to disasters such as war or famine, flood or earthquake. But CARE also works on longer-term projects, helping people in 60 countries learn better farming methods, start small businesses, and build roads, bridges, and new buildings.

Theresa began working for CARE in 1995 because she was so impressed with CARE's work around the world. She likes feeling that she plays a part in helping some of the world's poorest people. But every day she thinks about the question, "Why should U.S. citizens help people in other countries when there are problems here?" How does she answer that question? Download the case study and find out.