I agree with steve.

 

[quote name='Sinful7' date='Jun 8 2005, 02:45 PM']Why split your funds? They're much better appropriated at home. My point is giving money away to any other country, regardless of intent, is wasteful and disrespectful.



I don't have the availble resources to donate cash. I have expensive fun. i can admit that. But everything I do donate (clothes, time) stays in my neighborhood where it helps my friends and my neighbors the most.


[/quote]



Why split your funds? Because it's the smart thing to do. Since when should you put all your investments (in that regard) in one thing? Diversify!



Again, I'm not saying either extreme is right (give it all away, keep it all to yourself), so my money is and will always be "Appreciated" at home, but I also am fortunate enough to have money to give....



Why is giving money to any other country disrespectful? You can do both. And country's are a man made divide, which brings up what I said in my first post: If you see us all as one human race on one central planet, the idea of giving abroad is easier to comprehend. You view it as something outside yourself, whereas I just see it as human beings simply existing at a different area on this earth, and if a *human* needs help, whether down the road or accross the ocean, I'm game for some sort of service...

 

[quote name='Sinful7' date='Jun 8 2005, 02:48 PM']I'm not being hypocritical - I'm saying that you should keep what you earn and donate LOCALLY when you feel like it. This guy obviously thinks a lot of his money should go to places where the impact is less great, and the effort is increasingly futile.


[/quote]



Again, again, again. Nowhere did I say money should be taken FROM donations locally and given to "less effective" organizations. In fact, if you read what I've said since page one, it's quite opposite.



Yes. Organizations and donations aren't always efficient. Yes. You should help those around you, locally. But this doesn't mean that EVERY LAST method of giving to africa should be considered defunct.



Yadda yadda yadda...

 

Whats funny is that I bet atleast 95% of you guys arguing this have never been been to africa, and all you know about it is whats been told to you.



I'm not going to take sides on the issue, because obviously their are flaws in both arguments and both sides have valid points. However I will say that before you set your opinion in stone, go explore what you feel so passionate about.



I've personally seen some of these places, and I can tell you, sending a ton of money will not help them. It wont, thats a fact, done deal, its over. There is no magic "fix it" button, if their was, it would have been done a long time ago.



So if you feel like sending your money to what you believe is going to help save some people, feel free, its your money. Just remember that you dont see where your money goes, past the donation box.

 

What he said too.

 

you mean little melia wont be sending me a card thanking me as her benovelant savior?

 

[quote name='sidewinderx7' date='Jun 8 2005, 02:57 PM']Whats funny is that I bet atleast 95% of you guys arguing this have never been been to africa, and all you know about it is whats been told to you.



I'm not going to take sides on the issue, because obviously their are flaws in both arguments and both sides have valid points. However I will say that before you set your opinion in stone, go explore what you feel so passionate about.



I've personally seen some of these places, and I can tell you, sending a ton of money will not help them. It wont, thats a fact, done deal, its over. There is no magic "fix it" button, if their was, it would have been done a long time ago.



So if you feel like sending your money to what you believe is going to help save some people, feel free, its your money. Just remember that you dont see where your money goes, past the donation box.


[/quote]



No. I haven't gone to Africa, YET. Matter-of-Factly, I have the opportunity to next year.



I understand and agree, however, there are flaws in any arguement be it politics, hunger, religion, etc. I simply have not witnessed every detail and fact I could gather on any topic on my own. Therefore, I must read and research the most I can, from various sources, and conclude from there...



I'm not blind to the fact that there is no "magic fix", but when the figures are given, FACTS are given, rather, that X amount of money is how much school costs over there, or food, or medicine, and if X amount from XX% of better nation's pockets could help in a big way, you sort of want to support that.



It's hard to monitor your money once it leaves your hand, donation or not.



Yea, the purpose was just to let people know its a cool organization and to spread the word that this opportunity is there. The debate's fine too though.



Live and let live, I hardly am demanding that anyone give any certain amount.

 

Why dilute the donated money further by supporting yet another Stars efforts to villanize his name by tacking it to a charity?

 

I feel what youre saying. And I'm not disagreeing with you. However giving money wont really do anything. You dont just hand a few people in a village some money and say "build a school". There is no one that will come into the village and help them create some great educational system ... except... peace corps. And honestly, since you feel so passionate about helping these people, I would suggest you seriously consider it. I've met MANY peace corps people in my travelling around the world. Honestly, they are the nicest and most caring people I've met. They physically get out there for 2+ years and THEY build the schools, THEY build the water wells, THEY build the food pathways, THEY help. Its not about sending money and calling it good ... that doesnt work. If you want to make a difference, you cant trust someone else to do it for you.

 

http://www.mtv.com/onair/dyn/truelife/series.jhtml