Wow. This project has us busy! Rachael, Marc and I knew that putting together this cookbook would be a big undertaking but, as is always the case, we didn’t know just how big until we were knee deep in. It’s been great, though. We’re tired—I cannot lie about that!—but it’s been a pure joy to work on Peko Peko. And things just got more exciting.
Rachael, Marc and I are over the moon to let you know that we’ve decided on a charity. All of the profits from sales of Peko Peko will be donated to GlobalGiving, a foundation that gives access to new sources of funds to causes that might never be funded through traditional development and philanthropy approaches. Projects listed on GlobalGiving go through a rigorous due diligence review and, once approved, are listed on their site where folks like you and me—who might never otherwise know about the cause—can donate.
GlobalGiving has been wildly successful at helping raise money for small non-profit projects and NGO’s and now, in certain cases, they’ve started their own funds. The GlobalGiving Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund is one such effort, to which we will be donating Peko Peko proceeds.
For their Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund, GlobalGiving is regularly assessing needs in stricken areas of Japan and, at benchmarks along the way, giving to the organizations meeting those needs as they change. GlobalGiving provides updates on their research and decisions on how to disseminate money on the fund’s “report” page.
Our original idea was to donate to a cause specific to children to connect with the Peko Peko focus on family-friendly food. As the crisis in Japan unfolded, it became clear that the needs there will continue to change quickly. This is further complicated by the reality that Japan is a country rich in resources with strong global political ties. Though organizations like Save the Children and the Red Cross are doing critically important work on the ground, we are heartened by the chance to also help support smaller organizations and help meet changing needs—not just single, focused one—as they arise.
As of April 14th, GlobalGiving and GlobalGiving UK have disbursed more than $3 million to 14 organizations: Architecture for Humanity, Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA), Association for Aid and Relief (AAR), Civic Force, International Medical Corps, Japan Platform, Japanese Emergency NGOs (JEN), Lifeline Energy, Mercy Corps, Peace Winds, Save the Children, Shelter Box, Shine Humanity, and Telecom for Basic Human Needs (BHN).
We’ve been working hard to make Peko Peko: A Charity Cookbook for Japan a book of the highest quality that will stand on its own and endure long after this natural disaster is top of mind. But, even then, Japan will need our help. We believe that the GlobalGiving Earthquake and Tsunami Relief fund run will ensure that money is donated where it is most needed as book sales continue into months (and years!) to come.
