In the Spirit of Holiday Giving- why I am stingy!
You may have heard about some of the scandals back in the eighties about rock concerts staged to feed the world - and the money ended up - well who knows where?
In the nineties, around Trocadero, a lot of canvassing was done in the Metro to help feed people starving in some country in Africa - but it was never really clear - where? I always wanted to go with one of these people collecting the money in Paris, and follow the ‘food chain’ to the very end - and see who really was saved from starvation.
I am very skeptical of large organizations and for this reason rarely give. Then Chris and I were in Kampala Uganda and I was able to meet some people face to face. That is how we try to help out a little bit when we can - person to person. In France, this is how people tend to do it , particularly with Doctors without Frontiers. We have spoken to several people who have actually flown to Mali, or other west African countries, bringing medicine and medical supplies that they paid for themselves, or helped raise the money to do so - this is a huge committment. If you really want to be generous, you can’t just throw money at people - it demands time and sacrifice. Giving is not writing out a check.
By Parisgirl | Permalink
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You are so right. Giving money can be very effective as I just discovered a few days ago. I received a note from Robert Musittwa in Kampala who has just written a play called SADDAKA about the practice of child sacrifice. He is trying to bring this play to villages to combat this practice which has been reported in Uganda and Kenya. In his letter he told me that with funds that he recently received he was able to stage a performance of the play with the support of village elders. I am very happy to know that there are iniatives that can start from within a country -with no outside dispersement of funds. This is truly targeted. It feels good to see direct results. Cant’ wait to see photos of the event.
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True - giving is not only writing a check. But, take a family where both parents work, who are “into” their relationships, yet have funds to spare. Or, how about seniors not particularly interested in travelling for whatever reasons, and have money to give. And what about those who are sickly and have income at their disposal.
Giving money can be very effective. The problem is getting it to its maximization, to those who “need” it. Still, it may be better than nothing, unfortunately.
I know how you feel. I feel the same.