3 ms·

Unless the charity actually operates their own direct distribution outlet in the target country, let me bust your bubble: all that donated gear? It gets sold.

Unless the charity actually operates their own direct distribution outlet in the target country, let me bust your bubble: all that donated gear? It gets sold. Go to any township market in any Southern African nation you like, those clothes being sold? Go ask them to buy the tarpaulins they were bound in, I guarantee you three things: they'll be blue, the logo will feature a laurel wreathe encircling a globe, and the first two letters will be U and N. You'll probably have noticed them already because many stalls in the market will be using them for roofing.

microcolonel 13y ago
Right, thus the accountability bit. Most distribution of goodies intended for those who can't get ahold of them ends up with yet another theft and pawning, regardless of where the goodies come from and how they're distributed. Of course, UN involvement brings brothels along with the tarps. Do you know of any charities which actually offer direct distribution?
- Nanzikambe 13y ago
  I don't believe in aid or charity in the "give away something in return for a tingly sensation of benevolence" sense. That accomplishes nothing, it increases corruption and lets the donor off with the impression that they've accomplished something that they haven't. That said, there're some who make it work. The names escape me (it was long ago) but I've always been impressed with the work of some of the missionaries in the region - they're actually on the ground effecting change and helping people. From what I've seen they tend to avoid unilateral donation/collections, but go in for the specifics. For instance, the school I installed the 30 desks at, they donated virtually all the classroom equipment and props along with an instructor to help local teachers integrate the new material into their classes. As I understand it the financing for all that came from donations through collections in their churches. Now whilst I'm an atheist, that impressed me. The peacecorps too, I've met a lot of them and their hearts are definitely in the right place.

microcolonel 13y ago

Right, thus the accountability bit. Most distribution of goodies intended for those who can't get ahold of them ends up with yet another theft and pawning, regardless of where the goodies come from and how they're distributed. Of course, UN involvement brings brothels along with the tarps. Do you know of any charities which actually offer direct distribution?

Nanzikambe 13y ago
I don't believe in aid or charity in the "give away something in return for a tingly sensation of benevolence" sense. That accomplishes nothing, it increases corruption and lets the donor off with the impression that they've accomplished something that they haven't. That said, there're some who make it work. The names escape me (it was long ago) but I've always been impressed with the work of some of the missionaries in the region - they're actually on the ground effecting change and helping people. From what I've seen they tend to avoid unilateral donation/collections, but go in for the specifics. For instance, the school I installed the 30 desks at, they donated virtually all the classroom equipment and props along with an instructor to help local teachers integrate the new material into their classes. As I understand it the financing for all that came from donations through collections in their churches. Now whilst I'm an atheist, that impressed me. The peacecorps too, I've met a lot of them and their hearts are definitely in the right place.