Comments on: Ensuring wise compassion

By: Ajisuun

Ajisuun — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:56:57 +0000

It is very important to research the organizations you give to. I live in Africa and I see waste every day as big programs dump “help” into the country and it doesn’t reach the people it was intended to reach. The best programs have people on the ground overseeing the distribution. Even then there is graft and corruption at every level. For example, I run a small nursery school and we receive supplies from the World Food Program as does the government school in town. When the supply of rice arrives, word goes out and people go to the school to buy a discounted bag of rice. This is strictly forbidden by the program, but no one stops it. At the end of the term, the teachers divide up the supplies that remain. This to is forbidden, but no one stops it. We do not allow this with our supplies (much to the disgust of our teachers) and as a result we have a huge supply of rice and supplies. This shows me that if the program is managed properly, they could give less per school and cover more schools.

Another example is the program that was distributing bednets for malaria prevention. Only a few were given to the health center and the staff immediately started asking for them. The nets were specifically designated for pregnant women and children. We held a drawing on the the child and infant welfare day at the health center and our anyway went to the intended recipients, but I guarantee you that most of the nets given by this organization went to people who could well afford to buy nets for themselves (and probably live in better houses that don’t have as many mosquitoes).

It’s sad, but that is reality in Africa anyway.

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By: joanneb

joanneb — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:19:51 +0000

P.S. My stepfather, applied for a job with Oxfam on Bougaineville, not a place many would want to go to, but was turned down because he ‘was too christian’. They didn’t want him telling people about Jesus.

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By: joanneb

joanneb — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:17:35 +0000

Dear Sawgunner,

A year ago I did hear of a christian veterinary ministry, just like Doctors Without Borders, but smaller. They do a great work, mostly the veterinarians raise their support here, then go out to Africa, Asia etc where there is no veterinary service and really help the farmers there. One veterinarian can radically improve the lives of so many people for the long term. I just can’t remember the name of it offhand. If I can come up with it I’ll post it here.

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By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:26:17 +0000

BTW, unless its an entirely different org, Oxfam America was lambasted by HUMAN EVENTS for a proMarxist view of developmt.
Just thought I’d toss that out there

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By: Sawgunner

Sawgunner — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:24:42 +0000

We have a direct allotmt from my Leave and Earning Statemt going to a girl in Contagem Brasil.
No mention here of the world done by Billy Graham’s son (the “shoebox ministry”). I tend to have a favorable view of ministries or charities which show actual volunteers or paid employees bundling up boxes or loading freight aboard aircraft

I donated a goat to a poor 3rd world family. I have often wondered if anyone connected with the ministry does any type of f/u care to ensure the livestock receive needed vaccines, etc. I’ve never heard of Veterinarians without Borders but such a group is definitely needed out there

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By: joanneb

joanneb — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 23:44:57 +0000

I agree with really researching charities. We looked at many before settling on one, and giving all we can to them. That way other charities aren’t wasting their resources sending us stuff.

Also, another thing I do is support 4 orphans as a ‘Mother-of-Love’. I write to them, encourage them, pray for them and sometimes get to talk to them on the phone. They are almost too old to be adopted, but I am praying for good parents for them, and dtanding in the gap until that happens. If not, I’ll keep being their long-distance Mum forever.

It is not required in the program, but I also send them money directly, to be hand-delivered by trusted acquaintances going to the orphanage in person. These people give the letters with the money (in $1 bills for easier spending) hidden inside directly to the teenagers, who can then buy protein-rich food and clothing. Unfortunately, even though it is a ‘christian’ orphanage, if I just send the money, the postal workers or staff will steal the money for themselves. As American giving to this orphanage increases, the children are getting less and less food, and almost no protein, while the staff reap the increase.

This may not work for everyone, and there are many ways to help, but it is the best way I know of for me to help these four young people. If at all possible, get to know people actually doing the work.

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By: Pauline

Pauline — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:33:22 +0000

I’m less familiar with the ministries mentioned, but I know that Heifer International, which I think was the first doing this kind of thing, makes taking care of the environment an integral part of their work. They don’t just give animals. They work with the community to see what their needs and long-term goals are, and along with the animals provide training, including agricultural practices that not only sustain but improve the environment.

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