How Can You Identify the Homeless from Syndicates?

Written by Merve on October 28, 2010

Children of Hope

One thing about the Philippines is that you will find a lot of beggars in the streets. You will also see acts of charity which is heartwarming. But one thing most people fail to realize is on whether these acts of kindness are indeed going into their pockets or to the people who organize and deploy them in different parts of the metropolis.

Sad to say, begging in the Philippines has been made into a business. Despicable as it may seem, it is a reality to which some wiser Filipinos have been advised not to give to the poor or if ever, just give something in kind like food, canned goods, or clothes. That way, you are giving them something that they can use rather than money which is obviously holding true to its word as a source of all evil.

Through this, true acts of charity are being made. You are helping unfortunate people through the actual needs based on the hierarchy of John Maslow. These are acts that syndicates hate since it deprives them of profiting through using people. Addressing the needs of the actual people may at times be the best way and good blessings. But for people who are handling them, they are given ultimatums and punished if they do not meet quotas. Yes, they are given quotas making begging more of a profession rather than something to which any person can provide any form of help.

Pathetic as it may seem, if you find yourself coming across such people in the Philippines, try not to give any form of cash to them. You can either say NO or give something that a person would really need outside that of money.

Categories: Activities, Children, Elderly, Families, Organizations | Tags: , , , , , ,

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Got Old Mobile Phones? Don’t Chuck Them!

Written by Merve on January 31, 2009
Mature Man Using Cell Phone

Have you gone through your old stuff lately? I have not, really, but after reading this a short announcement on The Belfast Telegraph, I realized that I might be hoarding a treasure trove without really knowing it.

The announcement was about donating your mobile phone and helping certain charities. If you are like some people, you might have several old mobile phones just sitting around at home. This is especially true for those who have a penchant for getting a new gadget every so often.

Think about it, what do you do with your old mobiles when you buy new ones? Personally, I usually give the old ones away. In spite of this, however, I found that I have at least 3 more mobile phones that are unused in my house. Check – you might have the same situation.

In any case, how can you help while getting rid of the technological clutter at home? I did some simple searching on Google and actually found many organizations which accept mobile phone donations. The Charity Guide provides an extensive list of groups which accept mobile phone donations.

In case you are wondering, old cell phones that are donated are used for a variety of reasons. Some of them go to victims of domestic violence so that they can call 911 in emergencies. Some go to senior citizens so that they can also reach help easily when they need it.

So if you have a cell phone or two that you do not use anymore, check out Charity Guide and other resources – you can help in this simple way.

Categories: Elderly, Environmental, Science & Tech, Tips, Websites

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Non-Profit Groups – the backbone of charitable institutions

Written by Merve on February 4, 2008

Volunteer work.jpgThe several charities around all rely on manpower in the form of volunteers may they be aimed at people or towards nature. The many charities survive because of people who are dedicated to provide the proper care and help to those who may need it wherever they may be. Volunteer nurses and doctors go to distant lands to help people such as those who are currently suffering in Darfur helping the sick and injured as they live day by day in uncertainty.

Donations flow to those who suffer in the far reaches of the earth, delivered by volunteers who choose to do a little for their fellow man such as pilots, military men and others who just want to help. Financing is not the only aspect one can help with in terms of wanting to help. Habitat for Humanity has projects that construct free housing for the homeless relying on volunteer masons, electricians and the regular Joe to do the building. Thousands of houses have been built by these volunteers some of whom come back, time after time for the unseen reward of gratitude one gets from those who benefit from their hard work.

The people who need help are endless in this world and at any one time, a person dies in misery, his life becoming worthless and insignificant just because they are nobody’s. That is what we aim to change, everybody is somebody and all should know that. The children of Africa who have survived drought and famine now face AIDS and a life without parents due to the disease. Much can be done if everybody pitches in including businesses for they are the main source of funding besides governments and donations. Helping all those who need it is the goal, volunteering is the soul.

Categories: Activities, Charities, Disabled, Disaster Relief, Elderly, Environmental, Families, Fundraising, Jobs, News, Organizations, Programs, Religious | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Working for Charities, a life changing experience

Written by Merve on February 1, 2008

Volunteers.jpgAsk anyone who has done charity work and they would all give you the same answer, it’s worth the risk and effort. Humans have long since accepted the fact that there are those who have and those who don’t. This can be in terms of food, health care, housing and so on and so forth. Many people even in the United States suffer and go on living everyday without some of life’s basics. Healthcare is one of the most problematic areas for as prices rise due to cost of implementation, more and more people are finding it difficult to afford the amount of protection they need. That’s where charities step in and augment the system by providing services and skills that would otherwise have to be paid for by the government which is currently feeling the strain of a pending recession.

May it be in curb-side health checks to neighborhood kitchens, these help Americans feed the homeless and other people in need without a need for the tons of forms and other requirements of government services. The elderly and foreign immigrants, many of whom are illegal are the ones who suffer most. Even with recent drives to overhaul and re-work the health care system, there is still much to be done in terms of getting the job done and getting the services and resources to those who need them most.

Volunteers know that the simple task of treating a person with dignity and recognizing them for who they are is worth a thousand words to these people who repay your generosity with unspoken words. Volunteer work is still one of the most rewarding experiences for and individual for it has rewards that are without bounds. Call it heart-warming but getting gratitude from someone who does not have anything is more than enough to make your day a happy and self-fulfilled one that no one can take away from you.

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Volunteer Work instead of Cash makes sense

Written by Merve on January 28, 2008

Volunteers.jpgMany of us have heard of charities and some might have even supported one in the many non-profit groups that are out there. Whichever purpose a charity may serve which is the foundation of an organization being categorized as a charity Charities are grouped into four major categories which are; for the alleviation of poverty, the advancement of education, the advancement of religion and for purposes that is beneficial to the community. The first groups are those who work to improve the quality of life for those who are considered to be well below the poverty line. This has these organizations like Habitat for Humanity provide housing, clothing, food and other life necessities that the people they aim to help have none of. For education, there are organizations that subsidize or provide facilities such as schools, books and other aids to help promote better education allowing the people they help to help themselves in the future. Religious charities are often declared or treated separate from most other forms of charities for they have more bearing on the religious aspect of lives to which the constituents of a particular area they aim to serve may belong to several groups. The last form of charitable organizations, Community Charities, aim to help the community as a whole providing necessities tot heir constituents such as proper facilities that allow access to potable water, respectable habitat and more.

All these forms of charities rely on their armies of volunteers who provide the bulk of their manpower needs. Some are full time volunteers who regularly give time and effort for others who may need assistance in the many activities the charity they belong to conducts. Others are more on a per need basis which has them called to provide services such as doctors and nurses who give time and skills for a particular mission or activity such as a medical missions to a remote jungle towns. There are even casual volunteers who express their aim to help as they get to know of the aforementioned activities.Whichever form or type of service one commits; there is no better reward than to see a community that prospers with healthy constituents that have benefited the many activities you have partaken in.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Children, Disabled, Disaster Relief, Elderly, Environmental, Families, Fundraising, Ideas, Programs, Religious

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