After toying with the idea for over 30 years, I have finally signed up with UNICEF as a Global Parent. It is a Christmas present to myself and many people I will never meet. It is only a small monthly donation but it feels like the right thing to do.
I haven't made this commitment before because I have rationalised all this time that my income was never assured, my job never secure enough. I didn't want to start something I couldn't continue. A phone call from UNICEF the other day changed that view. The caller simply said that I could withdraw from the program at any time if my circumstances changed. He also explained that his organisation was keen to get regular donations so they could plan and maintain programs. Rather than sponsoring one child they encourage people to donate to a pool of money that gets distributed where needed. I do prefer the more personal model where you get correspondence and updates re a specific child, but I can see how this new model is more effective.
I have no children. My 'step-children' are lovely but they have way more money than me. My nieces are completely indulged like so many in Western culture. They have probably never even felt hungry their entire lives. I am an atrocious 'aunt' - I don't remember their birthdays or Christmas. They don't need me and any paltry contribution I might be able to make to their lives, even if they did live within driving distance. I am disgusted by our collective childrens' attitudes to their entitlements and yes, I do blame their parents because I continue to meet kids who were not brought up that way.
The focus has been on Eastern Africa but UNICEF are now warning of a famine in West Africa. I know there are those who think we should simply let 'nature' take its course and let these people die. I have no answers but hope my small contribution might at least ease someone's suffering.
5 comments:
Good on ya gorgeous!
Joan Campbell said:
Allan and I always subscribed to the old traditional idea of a tithe (10% of one's earnings) towards charities of some kind. I have not bothered to count the figures but have maintained a range of causes
over the years, especially those where children are involved.
Much of the First World's wealth has been generated directly or indirectly via Third World resources that have not gone to the people who have been exploited and are still being exploited - so I think we Lucky Ones have an obligation to consider the plight of people in dire situations not of their own making - if we can afford to.
I applaud your decision re UNICEF whatever your reasons.
It is usually the richest ones among us that are the tightest wads: but there are some notable exceptions.
I agree with you Joan. Perhaps donating something does assuage one's guilt somewhat.
Good on you Michelle. I've always justified my not supporting less fortunate others by reason that I never having a clear idea of what money I will have next week - and also a kind of commitment phobia to another family other than my own. But your reasoning is sound and makes me think again that soon I will do something.
We are so lucky and why? Off the backs of people who aren't so lucky. There is no way around it.
Yes, Joan. Tithe. Wonderful. Not only does it help others, it also keeps money and goods in circulation which is good for everyone.
Well I reckon your reasoning is sound ST, for most of my life I haven't had a 'real' job so have had the same problem. I still never really know if I have a job from one semester to the other but it has gone on like this for about 5 years now so I guess that can't be an excuse really. And, if it does change, I can just cancel the donation, which I would feel bad about doing but......needs must.
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