Its hard to do "something" about a lot of the African issues. Most of them are actually civil wars. That doesn't make them right or any less horrible its just that getting involved in someone else's family fight doesn't usually go well.
Heifer International is nice because they provide small grants, or better live animals, that people can use to change their lives.
Its also why I've decided to focus on birth. I figure starting at the beginning is a good starting point.