Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

Bill and Melinda gates have thoughtfully addressed their 2017 Annual letter to their dear friend Warren Buffett who wanted to know what fruit has his social investment borne. A decade ago in 2006, Warren hadpledged most of his fortune to Bill and Melinda Gates foundationand to four charitable trusts created by his family. Warren is one of the foundation trustees at Bill and Gates Foundation. He has throughout been helpful to shape the Foundation’s vision and develop strategies to address some of the world's most challenging inequities.

As chairman and chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Warren had gifted to the Gates Foundation a bulk of 10 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock, paid in annual instalments, which had worth of approximately $31 billion in June 2006. So far, he has invested more than $17 billion.

A few months ago, Warren wrote a letter and had asked Bill and Melinda to reflect on what impact his gift has had on the world. He says that his children call the day when he made the investment as “The Big bang”. He thought it would be a great idea if they wrote about the growth and journey of Gates Foundation.Warren also stresses that he wants people to understand that how different and gigantic is the happiness of Philanthropic success over business. He wants the couple to ponder upon how they measure themselves and the Foundation’s success and write it to the world.

On Valentine’s day, Bill and Melinda wrote back to Warren, in a very heartfelt manner. They mentioned that through their letter, they want the people to remember how foreign aid should remain the priority even in the changed political scenario in U.S. They emphasise that- “by lifting up the poorest, we express the highest values of our nations”. The biggest investment that one can make is the investment that uplifts others.

It's hard not to be impressed by what the Gates Foundation is doing. Bill and Melinda in their letter reveal the numbers that reflect not only how the Foundation is doing, but also how the World is doing.

Below is their story that changed the lives of many.

Bill and Melinda had started their first Philanthropic act when they took a trip to Africa and the poverty they saw there moved them. They started following childhood mortality numbers since then and found that it was the most unjust thing in the world that the children in poor counties were dying from diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. They say - “Saving children’s lives is the goal that launched our global work”. In regards to Global health, their very first awakening was to learn about the connection between saving lives, lower birth-rate, and ending poverty. They see improved nutrition, education, access to contraceptives, gender equity and economic growth etc. as the consequences of reduced child mortality. Appreciating Warren’s habit of valuing a good deal, they mention how his biggest deal in philanthropy has saved the lives of 122 million children. The biggest reason for the drop in childhood deaths has been the availability of vaccines.  86% of children worldwide receive basic vaccines, the highest percentage in history. Quoting more data, they say “For every dollar spent on childhood immunizations, you get $44 in economic benefits.” That includes money spent on treatment and loss of parent’s daily wage during the treatment.

With the government and business partnerships, ‘Gavi’- the vaccine alliance was set up which has till now helped immunizing 580 million children around the world.  

About their future goals, they reveal that they intend to save 19 million children who live in conflict zones and have not yet benefitted from available immunization. Another worrisome problem is the growth in new-born deaths, pertaining to rise in cases of asphyxia; because we still have not found the reason that causes it. Bill himself had once been present during the autopsy of a child taking place at a site of Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Network (CHAMPS). The research is crucial to save newborns as it essential to know the cause of asphyxia or prematurity or sepsis. This research work is one of the biggest work that the Foundation funds. 

Another challenge is Malnutrition which is partly responsible for 45 % of childhood deaths. Melinda urges that breastfeeding in the first hour and exclusively for six months is the simplest intervention. Breed crops with higher nutrient value is also one of the research domains.

Another lifesaving innovation they call is Contraceptives. If it wasn’t for Melinda’s informal talks with the women during her visits she might not have figured it out. Family Planning 2020 is a global foresight that the Foundation is a part of, and is set to provide 120 million more women access to contraceptives by 2020.

The couple point out that poverty is sexist. To make things even, some urgent steps need to be taken. In India’s context they say that, 75 million women in India aloneare involved in Self-help groups and they aim to increase the numbers to empower them. Women can get loans and share health practices. Community groups created for sex workers allow them to talk about HIV prevention freely.

In the end, Mr and Mrs Gates appreciate Warren’s optimism. They say that they are trying their best to channel his empathy, add his optimism, mix in technology, apply great strategies and involve partners to save the world. That is how they are spending his gift. 

About where they are moving; the target is ZERO. Zero TB, Zero malnutrition, Zero preventable deaths, Zero difference between the health of a poor kid and any other kid.

Polio is the closest to the target. It is soon going to be History.This gives hope. Things are tough, but optimism overpowers every setback.

The Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation hasambitious goals. It aims to wipe out malaria, TB, HIV, malnutrition and preventable deaths.Thanks to people like Buffett, Bill and Melinda write, "the future will surprise the pessimists."

The couple also highlights the importance of coming together for a cause. They say, “That’s the magic of philanthropy. It doesn’t need a financial return, so it can do things business can’t. But the limit of philanthropy is that the money runs out before the need is met. That’s why business and government have to play a role if the change is going to last.”

Image credit: https://www.gatesnotes.com