The term denotes the slow influx of aid and donations form countries that used to be generous enough to send billions of dollars to countries that have been devastated by disasters like the recent catastrophes in Myanmar and China. The government has sent aid but for most of the private individuals who used to give a buck or two to help people rebuild their lives, donations are relatively small compared to other disasters on record. Maybe its the recent financial crunch that has many either fearing the loss of their jobs in the coming months or maybe just that they are quite fed up with the situation as in Myanmar with the government committing crimes against humanity by refusing to help their own residents. They initially refused to accept aid from Western nations saying they had the capacity to do it on their own, but as the obvious became apparent and they finally let some aid in the officials of the Military Junta began to stockpile imported aid for their own sending rotten stores to their citizens.
This is a sad yet true story for even the most generous people do have to deal with their own financial woes. China, which has spent billions of dollars in developing and constructing new structures (airport, athletic venues and other such Olympic aimed infrastructures), has appealed for aid from the outside world countering their previous denial for aid. Myanmar which showcases everything as normal even with the rest of the world saying and knowing it isn’t is truly hypocrisy in the highest levels. With thousands of corpses lining rivers and villages, and with no immediate sanitary way of dealing with them the threat of epidemics is high and possible.
People will continue to give like they have always done in the human tragedies of past but world wide economic slowdown may make it more difficult for those who give and receive aid. People are also frustrated that even with the billions in aid being sent to areas and people in need, their government’s themselves fail to take up the cause of helping their own. The world is filled with compassionate and caring individuals that allow us to remain human, compassionate and ever helpful.
A reality that has to be accepted is that these people will have to do the healing by themselves and that is by far the only certainty in this disaster plagued world. The resilience of humans has amazed us in all of the world’s disasters from then till now, let us just hope we as a part of the human race continue to help each other in spite of political, ideological and other differences.
Categories: Analysis, Disaster Relief, Environmental, Events, News | Tags: aid, charity, China, Myanmar, natural-disasters
When we hear of solicitations, chances are our mindset would be to give away old clothes or canned goods just to say that we made a charitable act. But while this is something generous of us, it may be wise for us to use logic at times. Old clothes still have categories and this includes “still usable”. These days, people forget about this important necessity. We stock up old clothes and put them in sacks since we cannot use them. But before we placed them there, we already have an idea on whether they can still be used or not.
Old clothes are a big help to the needy. But apparently, we cannot discount the possibility of giving away clothes that are good as trash. Since we donate them, people receiving them do not have a choice of selecting and make do with what we can give. But personally, we should take out the clothing that are no longer usable.
Canned goods can be in any form. The normal ones we give out are the cheap ones such as sardines. For a couple of extra bucks, perhaps we can add something different like perhaps milk or something healthy. If all the poor people had to live on sardines, imagine at the level of help they can get.
All I am saying is that when you give to charity, mean it. It is not about taking something out of the closet or the kitchen cabinet to say you did a good deed. We are giving to people as well. Just imagine how you would feel if you were in their shoes.
Categories: Activities, Analysis, Charities, Fundraising, Ideas, Products, Tips | Tags: canned goods, charity, donations, old clothes
These days are not easy – not for charities, not for businesses. Indeed, giving to charities may not be high on your business agenda at this point, but hear me out. You can actually help others out, give a helping hand, and gain benefits for your business as well. I got this idea from an article I read, which is written by Jerrie Dean.
You know how most often, when we talk about helping charities, we think about actually giving money to them? I suppose that this is the norm – people do not have enough time so instead of volunteering, they offer financial help instead. What if I told you that there is a way to help charities without having to volunteer or give money in the traditional sense?
Jerrie Dean presents the idea of sponsoring a charity. There are many ways by which you can sponsor a charity without having to make an initial cash lay out. For example, if you have an online store, why not sponsor a specific charity that will receive proceeds from the sale of a specific product? This will not only encourage your customers to buy that product (because in effect, they will also be contributing to the charity) but it will also show how socially responsible you are.
Another way would be to simply create awareness for your favorite charity. Add a banner and/or a donate button to your favorite charity on your web site. Of course, an informative write up and a link to the charity’s web site will even be more helpful.
The bottom line is that just because you do not have the cash does not mean that you have to stop helping out.
Categories: Analysis, Charities, Ideas | Tags: business
With the hard times upon us, no one is spared from the hardships of earning a living and surviving in this world. With that said, you have to wonder if religious organizations and charities need the aid of security protection as well as with their open “door policy”, practically anyone can come in.
The churches have had the benefit of being watched over and it would not be surprising if charities would follow suit. It would not be surprising if evil eyes would monitor charity organizations and their activities since we all know that money comes to them from the free will and voluntary acts of citizens aiming for a good cause. Has humanity lost its mind in targeting the religious and goodwill organizations as well? It really should not be surprising.
For one, there are people who are becoming desperate these days. They need money to survive and feed their families. Bad or good, the only important thing for them right now is providing. If they can get away with it, then it would be good for them. But in case they don’t, well at least they tried. They would live a better life in prison with full meals would they not?
The mentality seems to be deranged. But the fact is that unless something subtle comes up, people are always at the edge of their seats. They continue to hope and pray but apparently most of them are unanswered. So with that in mind, the only thing left right now is to protect the organizations operating for a good cause. Now that is something we never thought would be seen before.
Categories: Analysis, Charities | Tags: Charities, crisis, donations, economy, security
The sight of a disabled child or person who pushes himself to earn a living despite having deficiencies in some parts of their bodies or from their manner of thinking is something that should inspire the normal man. Putting aside their current situation and status to give them a reason to live is the most important factor that touches the hearts of people who see them.
There are a lot of foundations that have taken this cue and even gone to the extent of helping them earn their keep and efforts through referrals and sponsorships. Working for a cause is the best term to generalize everything that these disabled people invest. Rarely would you see people putting time for such people who make the best out of what they can.
People who have some deficiencies cannot live normally but in most cases, it is the disabled people who seem to show more promise because they know that in their hearts that there is so much to accomplish if they are given a chance to be side by side with the normal and fortunate people of today.
Technorati Tags: disabled, charities, foundations
Categories: Activities, Analysis, Campaigns, Charities, Children, Disabled, Fundraising, Ideas, Inspiration, Mental Illness, Organizations, Products, Programs, Religious | Tags: Charities, Disabled, foundations
