The Unforgotten is committed to delivering aid to children living in trash dumps at no overhead costs. Their charity is managed in the US by a very active volunteer Board of Directors. They have no paid staff in the US. They consider themselves one of the world’s most cost-effective charities. They give the highest percentage possible to support efforts in the field. Consequently, they consistently receive donor support in campaigns like the CFC (Combined Federal Campaign) where donors seek out charities with the lowest overhead costs. Their charity overhead percentage of 0% is documented in their annual Form 990 filings, and they annually have their books externally audited by a CPA (who performs the service to us pro bono). They have received the 2017 “Gold Seal of Transparency” from Guidestar, and are certified as one of the “Best in America” from “America’s Best Charities”.

 

Wastepickers

The Unforgotten is one of the few charities in the world dedicated to helping “wastepickers” or “waste pickers” in developing countries. In the places where they operate, they are usually the only charity working on site. Working conditions are extremely difficult. In parts of Asia, these destitute individuals are often referred to as “rag pickers”. In some parts of the world, they are referred to as “garbage scavengers”. In West Africa, the trash dumps are called “bomehs”. Whatever name given to them, or to their environment, their priority is helping the hungry children living inside the trash dumps scavenging for food in the waste. They usually list in catalogs as “Aid for Trash Dump Children: The Unforgotten”.