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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 22, 2008 9:26:01 GMT 1
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 22, 2008 13:47:02 GMT 1
I don't agree at all, The witch, but it is entirely a matter of choice isn't it? Many people don't donate to any charities at all... My view is that the way that human activity has affected the whole world is everyone's responsibilty, particularly as we live in the part of the globe which is causing a lot of the trouble although we suffer very few of the effects. If we buy our food, clothes and household effects from some of the poorest countries in the world using very unfair trading systems, then we are morally obliged to try and help when disaster strikes, in whatever form. We are all the same species after all. I support Oxfam because it tries to help people all over the world, including those who need it in the UK.
I also try and support charities who are dedicated to animals as I think we are monumentally selfish and ignorant in the way we demolish habitats and environments. I haven't very much money but I do try and spend it to best effect and I give a ridiculously small amount every month to Oxfam. I wish it was more but I have to support the local pub too......
That's why I often post petitions - we should all be trying to make the politicians act, otherwise nothing will change...
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Post by roan on Jul 22, 2008 22:02:50 GMT 1
I'm all for helping others whether at home or overseas, however some of the big charities are big businesses with up to 40% of the money donated going into their own inflated salaries and overseas junkets.
I know this because I helped rebuild houses in Sri lanka after the Tsunami. I went to Sri lanka twice, in April and July of 2005. In April the big charities had signs everywhere saying what they were going to do. In July most of the signs had gone but very little had been done. Our houses were some of the first built and occupied and we didn't advertise at all!
My wife and I paid our own way entirely whilst we saw large groups of people from the big charities wandering around all expenses paid, staying in the best hotels and doing nothing!
The local Sri Lankans were not too impressed with them whilst we were thanked by the Leader of the Opposition and the local Mayor as well as the people we had helped. They even renamed their street Gisborne Place!
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Post by debbiem on Jul 22, 2008 22:11:04 GMT 1
I support the WSPA. I did give Oxfam a monthly payment but they were always asking for more and it drove me mad! I'm well aware of all the good they do though.
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Post by Sleepy on Jul 22, 2008 22:18:11 GMT 1
I support the WSPA. I did give Oxfam a monthly payment but they were always asking for more and it drove me mad! I'm well aware of all the good they do though. Isn't the WSPA who Troy Tempest works for? |
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Post by floweringcherry on Jul 22, 2008 22:32:11 GMT 1
4P I admire your stance on this, but I must admit I tend to give to charities at home. When the Tsunami struck I was in there to donate to help all of those poor people affected. Any natural disaster I will give what I can. However, many people on this earth are affected by corrupt governments, Dictators etc and whilst we keep giving, they will not rise up to oust those governments so that they have a better life. Many of these countries are very rich in what can be exported, but the money often doesn't get to the people and even money donated to charities, there is no guarantee it gets where it should. I am not a political animal, but felt the need to express my view. I sincerely hope I haven't offended anyone.  |
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Post by 4pygmies on Jul 23, 2008 8:17:53 GMT 1
You know it's very good to air our views about this sort of thing - it's always better to be able to think about other stances...I fully understand people wanting to support their own 'home' charities. And while I also understand that other countries ways and means are very different to ours, and I also agree that corruption and self interest at government level and in charitable organisations goes on all over the world, I still believe it is always better to err on the generous side and hope that our donations can help some people, if not all.
Roan I totally admire your generosity in giving both your time and money to help others and I sincerely wish I could do the same. Plus I know greed and self interest are just as likely in a charitable worker as a government official - they are all human...I just feel that it is better to give than not. And it's better to hope than give up. And it's better to agitate, in whatever form, than become apathetic and lose any chance of changing the world.
I don't mean to sound really preachy and holier than thou because I know that I could do far more....and I'm not posting this sort of stuff just to make all my friends on here feel they have to justify their views! I'm hoping that I can prod some of our many 'guests' to click on a link and get more political, ultimately it is the only way things will ever alter ........and every little helps.... ;D
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Post by mickthecactus on Jul 23, 2008 13:27:56 GMT 1
I'm certainly with Roan on this and feel somewhat inadequate compared with what he did.
I support Kew as much as I can as I feel that does go to help many of the poorer countries become more self-sufficient but I am too suspicious of big charities to donate.
I do help local hospices and Macmillan Nurses when I can though.
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Post by emseypop on Jul 28, 2008 17:42:54 GMT 1
I used to work for a small local charity and more or less every penny they made from 3 charity shops went into employing there own staff! The director spent most of her time on the golf course. They are no more. Having worked for the likes of acorns children's hospice, sense and the British heart foundation I was always happy to give them my time. I'd go in at 7.15am every morn and didn't get paid till 9.00am, I'd eat my sand which standing up and get back to work sometimes I'd work late, once I till 10pm! This was all before we had the kids. I loved the job tho. Now I give all my unwanted items to charity shops including old ink cartridges, even rags because I know they get around £2.50 for a black bag of rags. I never put anything in clothing bins tho, cause they just get ragged automatically. I buy raffle tickets and try to give something at Christmas. The year before last oxfam did a good thing. for £5 they send an Xmas card to Holly's school and the money bought 100 kids in Africa a school dinner, the teachers thought it was a good idea in the face of 100 tins of biscuits and 200 boxes of chocs! They didn't do it this year tho  |
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