Well, I joined up. Yes, I understand many of the arguments, and I think that mega-charities are vital. I think people who work for, say MSF are brilliant. I have a dear friend who did it for many years, and her wages were crap. She worked for the love of it. I don't know that many people get fat off charity work.
But here's the thing. I just did my tax. Every month, out of my single wage and while supporting my daughter, I donated $180. To Avaaz, Medecin Sans Frontieres, the Aussie Heart Foundation, Oxfam, the Country Fire Authority and Care Australia. Right. So I'm already supporting some mega-charities - and that's not counting the one offs to the Haiti fund, the PCYC, etc.
And here I am, looking at this little website that is working to make the world kinder. And I'm choosing to add to my donations by signing up to pay for Misha's run. And if ten bucks gets to the streets of Haiti, or Karachi, it's worth it.
Here's what I try very hard to live by (poorly quoted):
What then must we do? We must add our light to the sum of light.
( ... )
Yes, this, exactly. We just want to spread some joy and happiness where we can, and we want to do it ourselves and on our own terms. In the places where that's not possible, like Pakistan, other arrangements are made.
That is a fantastic quote, whether it's exact or not. And I think it sums up my take on the whole thing quite nicely. Thank you.
I don't understand why people complain instead of doing something. So you don't like a particular charity? Give to something else. But don't stop others from trying to help in a way they think is good.
We had a neighbor in the early 80s who retired from one of the big charities. (I think it was CARE, but I'm not sure). He paid for his house- which was about $160,000 (a lot in Vermont in the 80s)--in cash. Small bills. It really made everyone wonder where it came from...and how much of the big charity's money ended up in people's pockets rather than where it was supposed to go.
If anyone is trying to make a difference, I say more power to them!
I don't think that all mega-charities are corrupt. Or even most of them. I just don't understand this whole concept of the proper way to do charity work, or the proper charities to support. It's ridiculous to me.
And I've seen enough non!orphanages in this country that were completely mismanaged by "experts" that I'm having a really had time believing anyone who tells me that the "experts" are the only ones I should listen to. I've seen lives ruined not by the people on the ground, the normal citizens who worked in the homes and cared for the kids on a day-to-day basis, but by the suits and their endless "assessments" that ended up, more often than not, depriving those kids of the very things they needed to thrive.
So I guess I'm just more inclined to put my trust in the normal people who want to do good for its own sake. Maybe it makes me naive or jaded or whatever. Maybe it'll bite me in the ass someday. But for now, it's all I've got.
I can only speak for myself, but whatever issues I may have personally with orphanages hasn't precluded me from sponsoring your charity's efforts. Admittedly, I was reluctant at first since it was impossible for me to thoroughly vet your organization, being as new as it is, but aid efforts cannot wait for tax returns to be properly filed.
And even if I'm not 100% in agreement with the way the donations are being distributed, instead of getting hung up on this point, I decided to contribute to a few larger, established charities (in addition to yours) to hedge my donation bets, if you will.
And you have nothing to apologize for. You're out there actually doing something and making a difference. No charity is perfect and you should be proud of the hours you've put in to date.
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But here's the thing. I just did my tax. Every month, out of my single wage and while supporting my daughter, I donated $180. To Avaaz, Medecin Sans Frontieres, the Aussie Heart Foundation, Oxfam, the Country Fire Authority and Care Australia. Right. So I'm already supporting some mega-charities - and that's not counting the one offs to the Haiti fund, the PCYC, etc.
And here I am, looking at this little website that is working to make the world kinder. And I'm choosing to add to my donations by signing up to pay for Misha's run. And if ten bucks gets to the streets of Haiti, or Karachi, it's worth it.
Here's what I try very hard to live by (poorly quoted):
What then must we do? We must add our light to the sum of light. ( ... )
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That is a fantastic quote, whether it's exact or not. And I think it sums up my take on the whole thing quite nicely. Thank you.
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We had a neighbor in the early 80s who retired from one of the big charities. (I think it was CARE, but I'm not sure). He paid for his house- which was about $160,000 (a lot in Vermont in the 80s)--in cash. Small bills. It really made everyone wonder where it came from...and how much of the big charity's money ended up in people's pockets rather than where it was supposed to go.
If anyone is trying to make a difference, I say more power to them!
Reply
And I've seen enough non!orphanages in this country that were completely mismanaged by "experts" that I'm having a really had time believing anyone who tells me that the "experts" are the only ones I should listen to. I've seen lives ruined not by the people on the ground, the normal citizens who worked in the homes and cared for the kids on a day-to-day basis, but by the suits and their endless "assessments" that ended up, more often than not, depriving those kids of the very things they needed to thrive.
So I guess I'm just more inclined to put my trust in the normal people who want to do good for its own sake. Maybe it makes me naive or jaded or whatever. Maybe it'll bite me in the ass someday. But for now, it's all I've got.
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And OMG! Where did you get that GORGEOUS icon?
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http://nadine23.livejournal.com/
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And even if I'm not 100% in agreement with the way the donations are being distributed, instead of getting hung up on this point, I decided to contribute to a few larger, established charities (in addition to yours) to hedge my donation bets, if you will.
And you have nothing to apologize for. You're out there actually doing something and making a difference. No charity is perfect and you should be proud of the hours you've put in to date.
Reply
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