A COVID experience

Last year, I worked with a non-profit organization to help a group of us import medical equipment from China. The equipment were essential to treat COVID-19. When the project started, we did our due diligence and checked out the history of this organization. The entire budget for this project was a result of a grant that we won from another organization. 

So the grant money got transferred to the organization that was supposed to help with the project. Wild promises of a 6 week delivery was made on repeated meetings. But as the project developed, we started to see zero progress. Not only was nothing done towards getting the items, the people that were available prior to getting the money transferred now were just too busy to be available for updates. 

We tried everything. Polite words, negotiation, pleading to help with any problems and eventually legal means to get the project moving. Nothing worked. It has now been close to 11 months since the money transferred hands and we have made zero progress. 

To say that I was severely disappointed in the outcome is an understatement. Last year was the first time I invested my time and energy in projects where I had to work and depend on other people. It was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had while simultaneously being an eye opening and sad one.