I would like the name of one or more legitimate and well know
charitable organizations that connect financial donors with specific
children or communities in need of assistance.  I have read that in
some instances, relatively small amounts of money can be a major
benefit to a stable community by allowing a school to be built, books
purchased, teachers paid, a health clinic to be stocked or water to be
purified.  But other than Catholic Charities, I have not come across
any specific organization that does this.  My inclination is to assist
in Africa as that is where the need is currently greatest.  I am not
looking for a Darfur situation -- there is little that individuals can
do at this time.

This isn't exactly what you asked for, but in the same area.  For $32
a month, Compassion International lets you sponsor a specific child in
Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda (and many
other countries not in Africa)

I'm certain they will allow you to sponsor multiple children in 1
village if you have your heart set on sponsoring a village.

This organization is well established and known throughout the world
for their good work.

Here is what they do for the children:
"The opportunity to receive an education: In some cases, this means
providing the cost of school fees, clothing and supplies. In other
cases, it means providing tutoring, help with homework, encouragement
and, if necessary, participation in a literacy program outside the
classroom. Your Compassion sponsorship will allow one special child to
stay in school longer if formal schooling is an option and get the
most out of his or her education.

The opportunity to be healthy: The health of the child you sponsor
will be monitored and care will be provided as needed. Children are
taught about hygiene and how to maintain personal health. In addition,
and according to their needs, many Compassion children receive
supplementary food.

The opportunity to develop self-confidence and social skills: The
child you support will be part of a church-based program where
Christian adults offer love, guidance, personal attention, guided
recreation and safety.

The opportunity to hear the gospel and learn about Jesus: Most
important, your Compassion sponsorship provides the child you sponsor
with regular Bible training and encouragement through a local church
committed to Christ and the children in its "

http://www.compassion.com/

Nicholas Kristof, NY Times staff Op-Ed writer, has traveled
extensively in Africa and has researched the most effective ways to
help Africans, at the village level.

Here's a quote from Mr. Kristof's column (and response to reader
comments) of Oct. 17, 2005:  Educating Girls:  ?.... This is one
reason I?m a big believer in investing in girls education, through
programs like the school feeding efforts by the World Food Program and
Unicef. Larry Summers [Harvard University president] has said that the
single best investment in development is education for girls, and that
may be hyperbole ? but it?s pretty close to the truth. And since the
schools usually exist in any case, and the problem is just increasing
the incentives so that parents send their daughters, increasing
enrollments of girls is also very cheap. It?s one of the forms of
foreign aid that yields huge dividends for modest spending.?

I've taught school in Ethiopia (in the Peace Corps), and I agree 100%
with the claim "yields huge dividends for modest spending".  The cost
to feed a child at the school is pennies a day per child, and this
incentive is the deciding factor for whether the family sends a girl
to school, or not.

More from Nicholas Kristof, NY Times staff writer, ,January 10, 2006 Op-Ed column:

"Educating girls:  If women are literate, they hold better jobs and
have fewer, healthier children. They also learn how to complain about
injustice (my next column, on Sunday, will tell of an educated Indian
woman who has become a champion complainer). Some fine groups already
tackle these problems. TamTam Africa fights malaria. Averting Maternal
Death and Disability saves mothers. The World Food Program and Unicef
run a terrific school feeding program that keeps girls in class....
What distinguishes the African countries that are doing well, like
Botswana or Rwanda or Mauritius or Mozambique, is good governance,
which promotes growth. That's why it's also crucial to encourage
African leaders to nurture markets, trade and investment."

I included the list of countries that are doing well, in case you
would like to avoid countries where tribal wars will negate your
efforts.