Principles of Operation

Lotus’ Principles:

Lotus:

  • Funds projects through non-interest loans which enables communities and families to work towards increaseing their income.
  • Gives communities the ability through having access to a number of Lotus' projects, to improve their quality of life.
  • Sponsors communities, through a variety of self-help projects.

Stays working in the same communities for a number of years.  

 

Stays close to local NGO partners and the communities enables Lotus to quickly give ad hoc assistance in case of emergencies, such as drought and flooding.

 

 

  • Stays close to the communities and projects through good working relationships with its local NGO partners.

Staying close to local NGO partners and the communities enables Lotus to quickly give ad hoc assistance in case of emergencies, such as drought and flooding.

  • Financially supports its local NGO partner in Cambodia by covering all of the costs of the 3 Field Officers and the Project Manager who work exclusively on Lotus' projects, and by contributes to the local NGO's overheads.

    Ensures Third Party funds are not used for general NGO administration costs. A proportion of third-party funds goes towards project costs, but these are minimal and are clearly shown to donors up front in proposals. For each project, Lotus covers a big part of the NGOs operational costs with its own funds.
  • Creates and supports projects which improve the income opportunities of the NGOs themselves. The sustainability of the NGOs has become crucial for their own existence, and therefore of the projects themselves.
  • Gives Donors assurance that their funding goes towards projects operated, monitored and controlled by NGOs with proven track records. The NGOs report direct to third-party donors on a regular basis.
  • Ensures that third-party funds are not used for general NGO administration costs. A proportion of third-party funding goes towards project costs, but these are minimal and are clearly shown to donors up front in proposals.
  • Decided to focus on Cambodia, as the legacy of its past and the disruption it caused to rural communities had devastating effects to the livelihood of the communities. The rebuilding of trust amongst the communities and the restoring of skills lost are essential elements to a better future.