Voices of The Concerned

PRIORITIES

"I often ask the same question myself when I see commercials for "Feed the Children" organizations, which are wonderful and altruistic but seem to ignore problems such as homelessness and starvation in our own backyards. The reason so many organizations focus on developing nations is because those societies do not have the infrastructure or support system we in "first world" countries do (including welfare, unemployment relief, and homeless shelters). Yes, only about half of the U.S. population has access to a computer or the Internet at home. But there are other places we can go to get the Internet - libraries, Internet cafes, schools, work. The children in these countries don't have that opportunity. Their countries are ridden with civil war, corrupt politicians with absolute power, and a huge rich-poor gap, and these computers are giving them a chance to expand their horizons and learn about what else is going on in the world. I won't be donating to this organization because I prefer to focus my donating efforts on immediate needs - food, health care, water - but I support all charities, even if I cannot donate to all of them. There are many different worthy causes, and I don't have any problem with one person not donating to one because they're focused on another, equally important cause."

 

ACCOUNTABILITY

"I lived and worked in Africa (Ethiopia, Sudan) for almost five years. Unfortunately the people who really are desperate for aid do not get it. Corrupt politicians are the ones who get richer by aid not the poor people. If there is no fundamental change in the way aid is granted there is little point in continuing"

 

GRASSROOTS EMPOWERMENT

"Parts of Africa have wealth like you wouldn't believe yet the people have nothing to show for it due to corruption. The G8 should focus on corrupt governments so that Africans can help themselves and each other although everyone knows this will never happen so why should we be expected to help? "

 

GLOBAL

"What about the rest of the world: South America, parts of Asia, and off course our own home charities? There is too much emphasis on Africa and most of the time it's a problem that they have generated themselves. We must tackle the source of the problem rather than just giving money for the short term or for corrupted governments."

 

TRANSPARENCY

"I feel that the donors should be directing their aid not at governments but at NGOs and credible private organizations in order to carry out developmental projects. Another alternative would be to directly fund Western companies to do projects in the continent. For example, Africa has a major problem with roads, hospitals and schools so it would be much better to get a company in the West to construct a road in an African country. There would be more transparency in the way the moneys are handled.

It could be catastrophic if aid is stopped completely to Africa. The only reason why aid is not working so far is because of corrupt and greedy politicians who only think of themselves and not the people that elected them to office. In order for aid to work properly, the donors should identify the specific needs of therecipient and set up a committee that will monitor and report back to the donor how the aid was utilized. This will help to ensure proper accountability and minimize embezzlement."