Comments on: Humanitarian Aid

By: Mati

Mati — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 06:33:48 +0000

Speaking of humanitarian aid…you should do a show on soup kitchens. People give much to the food banks who give to churches to feed the homeless and less fortunate which then push their religious agendas on them. For example they force them to prayer, force them to hear sermons, force them to wear xtian clothing, etc. to get food. (Not to meantion verbally abusing them.)

By: dth4h95

dth4h95 — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:54:53 +0000

“…and the rest goes to a VERY good cause” that was hilarious!

By: jonyfries

jonyfries — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:01:38 +0000

Something to remember also is that the best intentions doesn’t always mean good results. Food shipments are a perfect example, sure they prevent famine in the short term, but in the long run they drive the price of food to zero and make it impossible for local farmers to survive, so the area completely stops producing any of its own food.

As with just about everything else the whole issue is very complicated.

By: mjb3190

mjb3190 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:21:15 +0000

and i thought this was the only job that allowed crazy people… haha! but seriously, great show!

By: musicfreak

musicfreak — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:10:42 +0000

I just wish it to be known that it’s not the snakes or mosquitos that you should worry about, it’s actually the diseases that you could get from the really bad water…..or mosquitos…..in those third world countries. But if you have a steripen (and water filter) and some deet you’ll be fine!

*singing steripen song*

By: Kel

Kel — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:57:40 +0000

That is chilling, RoR. It’s a concern I’ve long had… using aid for food, medicine and clean water is pretty much a no-brainer, but only if you also put into place people who will keep them going. A school is worthless if there aren’t any teachers in it. I hope the world’s situation will take a turn for the better!

By: Rabble of Redheads

Rabble of Redheads — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:37:17 +0000

Here is a link to a related article on the BBC, about corruption and unwise distribution practices in Africa.

Enjoy!…or actually don’t, its not fun, but very informative. It calls attention to the need for reform on international levels so that Western governments do not bankroll corrupt and dangerous leaders while common people who work hard do not receive the aid meant for them.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7740652.stm

By: Geek 2.0

Geek 2.0 — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:36:01 +0000

Hey now, RandomGuy, I remember the rules, you weren’t allowed to say “Sub-Saharan” because it was degrading, even though the “Sub” part was a reference to location, not status.

By: pkw

pkw — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 04:51:18 +0000

Kelsey- Cool. Thank You.

By: kelsey

kelsey — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:21:57 +0000

Wow! A correspondent! I hope that title comes with all sorts of accolades and absolutely no responsibility!

As far as the comments above: 1) Yes, lovely hair today. 2) The cobra. Well, you might be disappointed to know it was about the size of your average garden snake…but it was a COBRA (!!) people! 3) Thanks for doing the show!

I agree with almost everything everyone said – even those who are disillusioned with humanitarian aid. I have just returned to our compound after doing a distribution of items to people who have lost their homes in recent flooding. We had to stop it about five times as corrupt officials were badgering, intimidating and stealing from the people who were collecting their items. We had beneficiaries who had scammed cards off others so that they could get something. There’s all sorts of scheming and cheating going on out there (but how is that different exactly from what’s going on on Wall Street?). But let me tell you about one boy who came to collect his items. He was about 9. We asked where his mother was. ‘She’s dead,’ he said. Died in child birth like one in eight women in Southern Sudan will. He took his items to go home to share with his other three brothers and sisters who he looks after. We packed up his things so that he could carry them all and watched him go to ensure he wasn’t harrassed. Was that entire day spent in the sun, distributing items, arguing with corrupt officials, having things get stolen worth it? I guess everyone who gives money to, and does, this sort of work has to answer that for themselves. For me it is worth it because that one boy’s brothers and sisters are going to not die of malaria, and have clean drinking water (sorry, no steripens! only chlorine), and something to sleep on – at least for awhile while we are helping them to build a better country and schools and clinics and roads. That might not be enough for everyone but it’s enough for me.

By: Nospinplease

Nospinplease — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:42:18 +0000

hahaha, money makes me equals D! I do quiet a bit of community service work and it feels really good. I do try to donate when I can and I feel it is safe.

By: Teagan

Teagan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 05:07:17 +0000

I love your facial expressions ^^

By: Abaddon

Abaddon — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:42:33 +0000

But, you didn’t answer the most important question! How big was the snake, really?

By: Gurgle

Gurgle — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:35:14 +0000

Good show, hope you steripenned those dollars before rubbing them on your face.

By: RandomGuy

RandomGuy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:50:59 +0000

In High School policy debate last year, the topic was “Resolved; The United States federal government should substantially increase public health assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa.” What I learned from it is that more people die from water related diseases than all the other reasons combined. Of course, this includes Mosquito reproduction (leading to malaria) and water-borne disease that causes diarrhea (which dehydrates the body and leads to death without proper medicine). I would suggest donating to PUR packets, which is run by an NGO that donates life saving water cleansing packets to those in need… Then again, the argument that always went up against that was justification for the United States spending money abroad when we have problems here…

By: Rob B

Rob B — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:27:30 +0000

Your hair looks really nice today Brett

By: steph {207}

steph {207} — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:27:48 +0000

I’ve donated a lot of my money of the years and still continue too. I donate to mostly red cross, breast cancer association, kids against hunger, toys for tots, and my school blanket drive. I don’t donate to anything that doesn’t put more than 80 cents to the dollar for charity. But more than just money I’ve donated a lot of my time. Just this year I’ve reached a goal of 100 hours of community service and its still rising. I’m going for 200 hours next year. I love helping out my community and people in need. It’s just a great feeling knowing that even though your just one person out there you can still help out and make a difference. The best feeling I got was when I helped out at a school in Detriot for Christmas. These kids don’t get a normal Christmas so giving them their best Christmas ever was something I can’t describe. Help out in your community, not only does it help other people, but it changes you and makes you a better person.

By: Meandering {207}

Meandering {207} — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:33:54 +0000

Great episode. This is something we do need to remember, that even though things are tightening up we should still set aside what we can for humanitarian aid. Thanks Winn Brothers for the reminder, especially at this time of year.

By: Kel

Kel — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:25:48 +0000

This one’s my favorite– barely any of the money goes for administration, and they do really good work. Take a look, if you’re looking for a cause to support.
http://www.fcnindia.org/index.htm

By: effamy

effamy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:22:54 +0000

excellent. i did a lot of research a couple of years back before deciding which organization to set up a monthly donation with (i’m no bill gates unfortunately but it’s worth a big dinner out each month at a really chic restaurant and hopefully someday, when i have a real job, i can do more).
Now I’ve managed to swing most of my family into the idea of giving to charity each Xmess (not a real fan of the season myself…) instead of trying to figure out what useless thing to buy for people who need nothing. Even with the financial crisis most of us have far more than is necessary.
Think before you give.
Actually think before you do most anything. Even for charity, avoid the knee jerk reaction to just give when someone puts their hand out.

By: Dandapani

Dandapani — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:03:23 +0000

Jesus said: For ye have the poor always with you…

By: Tae

Tae — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:30:33 +0000

I really appreciated today’s show, for it’s something I feel enthusiastic about. Pkw, I understand where you are coming from. What’s that phrase – “give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime”. That being said, let me further say that I believe that humanitarian aid can be given in many ways. Donating money is one thing (and a GOOD one thing), but think of all the other ways we can reach out. It doesn’t have to be something large; it can be something as small as choosing not to cuss out someone who cuts you off on the freeway. Call me an idealist, but I’m of the opinion that simply trying to be kinder in an increasingly “I’m looking out for Number One” world is one of the most effective ways that we can help each other out.

By: Curtis

Curtis — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:18:24 +0000

About 15 years ago, I suggested to my growing family that we were buying too many presents for each other at Christmas. So we decided for the adults to only exchange two gifts (we would all still buy gifts for all the kids under 18). One gift would be a single-name exchange, and for the other gift, each adult would give $20 that we would pool together. One of the adults (rotated every year) would then donate it to any charity they chose. As the kids grew, they couldn’t wait to turn 18 so they could be the one to make the donation. We have since donated to child abuse organizations, breast cancer organizations, leukemia foundations, domestic abuse shelters, we even donated the money and our time working at a homeless shelter. We were able to turn the routine of gift-giving amongst ourselves into a positive way to help others. We continue this tradition every year, and we’ll hopefully start increasing the amount of the gift as the children are almost all adults, which by itself increased the gift when they started contributing. Great show…a lot of good links to great organizations there. Everyone should research one they feel strongly about, and get involved by contributing or volunteering. There are a lot of great ways to help the world, or even your own community.

By: pkw

pkw — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:23:25 +0000

I try to look for organizations that help people temporarily, but have the overall goal of helping individuals, families, and communities to sustain themselves and magnify their own ultimate well-being.
I have had something on my mind for months that I think might be appropriate to share now.
I get a little annoyed when I hear comments like- such and such organization sees the price of food going up, so they’re not going to be able to afford to do handouts like they’ve always done. Therefore, all the people they served before are now going to starve unless we fork over more cash. And that’s a horrible testament to where our food supply is now… blah, blah, blah.
The offense, I feel, is that the recipients of the charity are portrayed to never be able to contribute to their own welfare, so we must do it, and allow the government to do it, or their poor, sad, pathetic lives will never be any kind of decent standard.
My concern is that I want to help people to help themselves. If we are all doing our part to help ourselves, AND EACH OTHER, we will have amazing lives, and an amazing world. But I am offended when I am struggling, being told-too bad for you, you HAVE TO accept my charity.
I don’t mind a hand up, but I don’t need or want a hand out. I hope that others feel them same. I beleive the attitude of encouraging perpetual handouts is enslaving to those charitable recipients who one day COULD acieve the dignity of being able to not only provide for themselves, but have the honor of helping others truly in need.

By: nick

nick — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:49:33 +0000

wow, 12 cents of every dollar… great show