Charity angst
I had such fun being a sponsor for the Giving Tree charity project. Getting to go Christmas shopping for an 11 year old girl was one of the most enjoyable - as well as pink and sparkly - charity things I've had the chance to be involved in1 Well, apart from spending three years working for Amity, which was in an entirely different league.
The disparity between Amity and the Giving Tree is making me feel guilty on at least two different levels. Firstly, the children sponsored by the Giving Tree are the sons and daughters of migrant labourers in Shanghai, which means that while they are poor in comparison to the rest of the Shanghai population, they are not poor in comparison to the majority of the rural Chinese. For example, they get to go to school, and I've met plenty of children (especially girls) in Jiangxi villages who didn't. Secondly, going shopping once a year, and possibly donating your old clothes, is not equivalent to working for a charity full-time, or even giving a regular portion of your salary.
Well, V wants to sponsor a child's schooling through a local Chinese charity he's hear good things about, so I should make sure we get that started before the New Year at least.
1 I even got V involved. At first he was a right grump, refused to look at any of the cute sparkly things I got, and dragged me out of Watson's when I threatened to go crazy over the toiletries. Then he started softening up when I got him to pick out some suitable Chinese-language books for an 11 year old. Finally he completely caved when I dispatched him to buy some clothes (I've been working too much to make it to the clothing market during opening hours). I asked him to get a suitable jacket or trousers or dress, and guess what he came back with? I had to off-load some of the other items I'd bought to fit them all in.
The disparity between Amity and the Giving Tree is making me feel guilty on at least two different levels. Firstly, the children sponsored by the Giving Tree are the sons and daughters of migrant labourers in Shanghai, which means that while they are poor in comparison to the rest of the Shanghai population, they are not poor in comparison to the majority of the rural Chinese. For example, they get to go to school, and I've met plenty of children (especially girls) in Jiangxi villages who didn't. Secondly, going shopping once a year, and possibly donating your old clothes, is not equivalent to working for a charity full-time, or even giving a regular portion of your salary.
Well, V wants to sponsor a child's schooling through a local Chinese charity he's hear good things about, so I should make sure we get that started before the New Year at least.
1 I even got V involved. At first he was a right grump, refused to look at any of the cute sparkly things I got, and dragged me out of Watson's when I threatened to go crazy over the toiletries. Then he started softening up when I got him to pick out some suitable Chinese-language books for an 11 year old. Finally he completely caved when I dispatched him to buy some clothes (I've been working too much to make it to the clothing market during opening hours). I asked him to get a suitable jacket or trousers or dress, and guess what he came back with? I had to off-load some of the other items I'd bought to fit them all in.