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"If I Had a Water Buffalo" poignantly explores the critical difference in outcomes when offering a hand up rather than giving a handout. A seemingly simple request for a water buffalo by an impoverished rice farmer proves to be the catalyst for Dr. Fitzgerald's global and unending journey in search of a better way to meet the needs of people less fortunate. Woven with both triumph and tragedies, encompassing undertakings in Indonesia, Eastern Europe, South America, and Bangladesh; "If I Had a Water Buffalo" artfully lays out why the approach to helping those in need must incorporate the personal empowerment of the beneficiaries over charity often creating harmful dependency.
About the author
Marilyn A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., is first and foremost a compassionate individual drawn to the needs of the less fortunate across the globe. As a result of her extensive fieldwork and research at the grassroots’ level of economic and community development, she has become a highly sought speaker, radio guest, and expert consultant in the areas of sustainability, stakeholder negotiations, microfinance and evaluation of project outcome maximization. Dr. Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in private practice and has also earned an MBA and president of Common Ground Solutions, LLC. consulting with various organizations.
Summary
Across the globe--from the remote villages and cities of Indonesia, Eastern Europe, South America, and Bangladesh--"If I Had a Water Buffalo" poignantly details an unending journey of discovery for Dr. Marilyn Fitzgerald. Her global efforts, working as a conduit between donors and recipients, provide an unparalleled opportunity to observe, learn from successes and failures, and ultimately focus on finding a better way. A way for those less fortunate that is not paved with uncertainty and dependency but rather built upon a foundation of voice, dignity, choice, empowerment, and a means to achieve self-sufficiency.
Divided into three parts, "If I Had a Water Buffalo" begins with both heartwarming and heart-wrenching stories of Dr. Fitzgerald’s efforts to visit the international projects and then return home to face a never-ending cycle of soliciting the necessary funding or resources to support the projects and needs of individuals less fortunate. Individuals deprived of opportunities many take for granted but resolute in their determination to seek a better tomorrow for their families. One such individual’s singular request for a water buffalo proved to be the catalyst that placed Dr. Fitzgerald on her path of discovery.
Presented in the remaining two parts of "If I Had a Water Buffalo" are the integration of Dr. Fitzgerald’s academic efforts into the discovery process and concludes with lessons learned; lessons shared. A return to academic life, somewhat unexpected and an interruption to the straight forward path projected, proved to be a fortunate detour, providing a sharper focus on the destination and a smoother, straighter path to continue forward. Offered in Part Three are lessons learned; lessons shared, which represent not the end of the discovery process for Dr. Fitzgerald but merely a brief pause along the way.
Lessons shared in "If I Had a Water Buffalo" transcend their source and may be adopted by businesses, institutions, schools, parents and individuals seeking the best possible sustainable outcomes to life’s situations.
