The Heart of Humanitarian Work: Values and Trust ~ An Interview with Tom LeNoble and Tobie Spears скачать в хорошем качестве

The Heart of Humanitarian Work: Values and Trust ~ An Interview with Tom LeNoble and Tobie Spears

Written by Tom LeNoble - “Sometimes the most powerful kind of philanthropy isn’t a check, it’s a decision to stay human in a world that keeps trying to numb us.” This week on Opening Pathways, I sat down with Tobie Spears, founder of Be Humanitarian, and her story is the kind that reminds you why purpose doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from contrast. Tobie grew up poor in Utah, relying on food stamps and Section 8 housing after her mom left an abusive relationship. She understood hardship firsthand…but it wasn’t until she visited Guatemala that she saw a different kind of poverty, developing-world poverty, where the safety nets many of us take for granted simply don’t exist. That moment didn’t just move her. It mobilized her. A few things I can’t stop thinking about from our conversation: 𝐇𝐞𝐫 “𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬.” Honesty. Hard work. collaboration. Respect. Service. Not as branding but as a way of living. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. Tobie named the quiet financial risk of choosing service over security…and doing it with a family in the mix. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭. She’s learned (the hard way) that many promises don’t get kept so she protects her energy. But inside her Guatemala community, trust isn’t optional; it’s the foundation. 𝐇𝐞𝐫 “𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝.” No perfect roadmap. Just showing up, trying what you can, adapting quickly, and staying flexible when something isn’t working. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. One of the most honest parts of our talk was her decision to pull back on “stuff donations” if it serves the donor more than it serves the community. That kind of integrity is rare. And then there was the part that gave me real hope: Tobie recently gained two new sponsors…one 16 and one 18. Young people giving monthly to support a child because they see the value of impact now, not “someday when I’m rich.” That matters. A lot. Her bold 5-year vision is to expand what’s already begun: safe housing for families who are currently unhoused, and a community center that becomes a true hub. sleeping space for volunteers, a library, a kitchen, and a place of gathering. The quiet lesson she’s learned along the way? You don’t have to speak the same language. You don’t have to look the same. You don’t have to come from the same world. Because the needs are universal: safety, food, family, dignity, hope. If you’ve ever said, “I’ll give when I have more,” consider this your nudge: 𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭. Four quarters and a $1,000 donation come from the same place when they’re offered with sincerity. If you want to learn more about Tobie’s work, or sponsor a child or join a service trip, visit 𝐛𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧.𝐨𝐫𝐠.