Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

5 Ways You Can Give If You Can’t Afford a Charity Donation

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Giving to charity is a great way to contribute to society by selflessly giving to those who are more in need than you. People are always talking about the benefits of charity contributions from the tax breaks to feeling good within yourself.

But how do you give to charity if you simply don’t have the funds? Perhaps you don’t have the luxury of donating $100,000 to a recovery center. Sometimes there are ways to give that don’t involve any currency or bank accounts, simply human kindness and generosity. [Read more…]

Two-Year Old Girl from the Philippines Needs Cochlear Implant

Rhyka Tiangco turns two today but there won’t be a big birthday party for this girl from the Philippines. Her parents, Rhyan and Kathrina Jane, need all the money they can get for a cochlear implant for their daughter. Rhyka was born with profound deafness in both ears, noticed only when she was 15 months old and unable to say a single word.

Rhyka was delivered by emergency caesarean section due to her mother’s condition of having low amniotic fluid in the sac that held the baby. This condition hinders the proper development of the child in the womb and may even lead to death. To complicate matters, her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. Born premature and underweight (1.6 kgs), Rhyka was in the NICU for 10 days.

What Rhyka needs now to grow up as normal as kids her age is to be able to hear other people talking so she can learn how to talk. Her doctor has recommended a cochlear implant since hearing aids cannot help her. She had tried them but can only hear if the sounds are very loud.
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A cochlear implant is a device inserted by surgical procedure directly to the damaged cochlea (inner ear) to enable the person to hear sounds from the environment and other people talking. In little children, they will learn how to talk when they are able to hear, and awareness makes them feel more secure with their surroundings. The sooner the implant is done, the better the chances are for the child to grow and develop normally.

But funds are scarce. Rhyan and Kathrina are both working, but their combined salaries for a year can’t pay for the device and attendant costs of hospitalization, etc., let alone their daily expenses. A cochlear implant costs approximately $19,000 (P800,000 pesos) and hospital fees cost $4,700 (P200,000) for a total of $23,700 or P1 million pesos.

Parents will do anything for their children, and Rhyan and Kathrina are no different. After exhausting all resources, they are now appealing for kind hearts to help them give their daughter a chance at a normal life. Any amount is welcome. A few dollars from many people adds up and hopefully, Rhyka can have her implants. If you would like to see this little girl talking and playing with other children, please donate to her cause. There’s a fundraising campaign on Go Get Funding where you can send your donation. Rhyka, Rhyan and Kathrina Jane Tiangco will forever be grateful to you.

Related Posts:

How to Choose Charities in Asia that Help Poor Children

How to Encourage Teens to Donate to Charity

Common Fraud Involving Charity Organizations

How Much Should You Really Give to Charity

How to Choose Charities in Asia that Help Poor Children

Giving to charity is a worthy endeavor and should be practiced by everyone. It does not only help the underprivileged people but it also provides a rewarding feeling to the giver for being able to share part of his earnings.

Contrary to what many people believe, one doesn’t have to be rich in order to give to charity. Did you know that in the U.S., it’s those who earn less than $50,000 each year that donate more to charitable institutions? A report from Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy revealed that those who have more actually just donate two percent of their income compared to the four percent given by those who earn less.

More important, however, than how much you give is where your money is going. When donating your hard earned money, it is vital to do a little research first about charities available and determine the group of people you’d like to help. Ask yourself if you want to help the poor children, the disabled people or the elderly.
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Newborns Need Your Help

Charities of all sorts abound these days, but here’s one that will tug your heartstrings. Denver Health Medical Center has released statistics that show that more than eight out of 10 newborns are in need of assistance. These babies are born to families which are not well to do. As such, they struggle to provide for the needs of the babies.

That is why the charitable organization Denver Health’s Newborn in Need was born. This organization caters to the needs of mothers who have just given birth and their babies. The money that the organization gathers is used to provide for essential items such as diapers, milk formulas, and blankets among other things. If you would rather give goods as opposed to cash, the organization will gladly accept your donations as well. In fact, the hospital has a dedicated room to house goods that have been donated.

The sad fact, however, is that the shelves in the rooms are starting to become depleted. It seems that the needs are much higher than the donations that are coming in. That is why the organization is now actively seeking gifts from those who are willing to give them.

According to a story published by 9news, the mothers who have received these donations have expressed their gratitude. For those in the area, donations can also be made when shopping at King Soopers, where donation cards are available for $3 and are added onto your grocery bill. For more information, you can also visit the organization’s web site.

Children Generosity Without Prejudice (From the Archives)

Charity abounds and it is not limited by age as the charity event sponsored by Save the Children showed many people when they flocked to several locations to support a “Sleep-over” program that aimed to raise awareness and funds for less fortunate kids all over the world. The event was held in June when they also broke records for the most number of children who have participated in an event of the sort anywhere in the world.
Children should be educated in the roles they are to play in this ever troubled world for they are some of the most affected by strife and misery when problems occur. May it be economic turmoil, conflicts or even victims of long past wars, they are the most scarred and abused which leaves them helpless and maimed both physically and mentally unable to deal with life that should have been in front of them.
Most of the world’s displaced children suffer from poverty, crime and other illegal activities such as child labor that they sometimes feel nobody cares for them and their future. Organizations who aim to help them like the UN through UNICEF and other Non-Governmental charities aim to change that and again bring hope into their lives educating them and teaching them all they need to know that would allow them to face tomorrow and see it as bright as it could be.
The event, in partnership with the Autism charity TreeHouse, was successful in showing that children where ever they may be have the power to change and influence their world in their own little ways. More power to the people who makes such events and charities possible, and to the millions of people who give to others in need as we all make this world a better place to live in for all.

The Dilemma Of Celebrity Adoptions (From the Archives)

art.elton.john.afp.giOn the one hand, the children being adopted by celebrities are given another shot at life – a much better shot, actually. On the other hand, celebrity adoptions may be sending out the wrong message. This is what the charitable organization EveryChild is concerned about.

The recent news that musician Elton John is planning to adopt a 14-month-old boy from a Ukrainian orphanage is the root of the charity’s sentiments. Elton John has been active in helping raise awareness for infants who are infected with HIV. His recent visit to the Ukraine is part of his efforts.

While he has always considered adoption, he said that he had concerns about it as he is not exactly a spring chicken and his career is not exactly the perfect setting for raising a child as well. However, when he laid his eyes on Lev, the baby boy, and interacted with him, Sir Elton John said that he changed his mind.

Now back to the concern of EveryChild…according to James Georgalakis, EveryChild’s Communications and Advocacy Manager, people in developing countries might get the wrong message from all these celebrity adoptions. He told CNN that:

“Research conducted in the Ukraine in 2007 which showed high-profile celebrity adoptions and news around foreigners coming into the country and adopting children generally was actually encouraging vulnerable young mothers to abandon their children into homes hoping their child would be adopted by a rich foreigner and have a better life. So it’s quite well documented that these high-profile adoptions could actually be increasing the number of children in institutions.”

Having read that information, I do see the point that EveryChild is concerned about. However, limiting or disallowing celebrity adoptions may not be the solution. What do you think? Should celebrity adoptions be restricted or is there another way to approach the issue?

Photo courtesy of CNN

Christian Foundation for Children and Aging

school2Looking for a worthy charity to get involved in? Why not take a closer look at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, which was ranked number 4 out of the top 10 charities in the United States. It has also earned the distinction of earning eight 4-star ratings (in a row, mind you) from Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is perhaps the most reliable charity evaluator in the U.S. today.

So what does the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging do? This is their mission statement:

• We provide personal attention and direct benefits to children, youth, aging and their families so they may live with dignity, achieve their desired potential and participate fully in society.
• We invite people of good will to live in daily solidarity with the world’s poor through one-to-one sponsorship.
• We build community by fostering relationships of mutual respect, understanding and support that are culturally diverse, empowering and without religious or other prejudice.

From what I have seen, it is similar to World Vision, wherein people can sponsor children around the world. Sponsorships can be had for children from preschool to high school and I think CFCA also helps those who want to study college or vocational training. The money that sponsors give go to tuition fees, books, uniforms, and other school supplies. They currently operate in 24 countries.

If you are interested in helping out, visit the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging web site for more specific details.

How Can You Identify the Homeless from Syndicates?

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.

ThoughtsFurPaws

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The blog is a collection of pet charities and concerned individuals, which combines posts from pet lovers from all over who are tasked into improving the lives of neglected and abandoned pets. The many charities that deal with pets have been wrecked by intrigue and drama that you don’t know which is which. The pages contain warming stories straight from the people who do the rescue work themselves as well as pet lovers who are passionate about our furry friends.
Not just for furry but all types of animals and pets are subject with many links to several blogs that also aim to raise awareness regarding the plight of dogs, cats, birds and even farm animals that are being raised for the pet trade. Hear the warming stories of adopted animals as far as Baghdad that have been brought home to the States, helping their adopted owners deal with the turmoil that is war.

Fighting Online Child Pornography: The IMEC

As mentioned in the last post, fighting for children being abused by online pornogaphers is a vital cause we should all be part of. Today, child exploitation on the internet is a sickening MULTI-BILLION dollar industry. Here are some of the grueling facts to be aware of according to data from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC):

19% of identified offenders had images of children younger than 3

39% had images of children younger than 6

82% had images of children younger than 12.

There is also strong evidence of increasing involvement by organized crime and extremist groups.

Children have become a commodity in this insidious crime. While there is no empirical research on the scope of the problem, but there are estimates.

A 2002 report by ECPAT International and the Bangkok Post estimated that 100,000 child-pornography web sites existed on the Internet in 2001.

According to the Internet Watch Foundation in the United Kingdom, there has been a 1500% increase in the number of child-pornography images since 1997.
In 2003, the National Criminal Intelligence Service in the United Kingdom estimated that child-pornography web sites had doubled worldwide; that half of the sites are hosted in the United States; and that the number of sites in Russia had doubled.

NCMEC reports that most child pornography consumers and child victims are Americans; however, the financial transactions are increasingly moving offshore.

The International Centre For Missing and Exploited Children, or the IMEC, is a global agency which promotes the well-being and safety of children all over the world though its various programs.

Visit the orginazation’s site to get the latest facts, legislation on the issues as well as ways on how YOU can help end this terrible crimes today.

[tags]Children,Child exploitation,child crimes,pornography[/tags]