A non-profit organization Friends of the Third World, began in 1972 when students & teachers, frustrated by governments lack of concern for the poor, decided to take personal action. Rather than distribute emergency aid, Friends seeks to address the roots of poverty thru education, assistance in providing job training and marketing of products produced by the poor, & help in organizing grassroots community projects. We work in partnership with small voluntary groups in 80 countries, including the United States. We also do public education about effective ways individuals can take action against poverty, showing models that are most effective. We believe in cooperation between groups and assist new projects from our experience. We have a small professional staff of three, with voluntary chapters in 6 states.