Charity for Asia

[Windigo]

I feel really sad about Southeast Asia, but I am getting mad at the news people. They keep bragging about how much money America is sending compared to the rest of the world. And the other nations are doing the same. That's horrible. It's our obligation to help, and we shouldn't be waving our donation around.

It reminds me of that story about the rich men bragging about what they put in the box and showing off how much they had left. Remember that story?

I'm glad that the nation is being generous, but generosity doesn't seem genuine if it's advertised. We all have too much, anyway.

Another thought I have is that we are letting our government do our part for us. It's wonderful and right that the government shoud send aide, but shouldn't the individual feel obligated to sacrifice some of his own comfort to help people who have literally nothing? I know that people are helping, but I also know that some are sitting back with their bellies out happy because the US has sent so much that they needn't bother, their tax dollars are represented. Yeah, they are, but it isn't enough. That was paid and forgotten and might have gone to anything.

Maybe this is a dumb rant, but I just hate to see bragging, especially about charity. Charity should be an act of humility, because none of us are immune to trouble.

Does any of this make sense? Shouldn't charity and aide be overwhelmingly generous, to the point of sacrificing one's own need, and at the same time private. Or is that wrong? I don't know... :ghostie:

[happyprincessfairy69]

That definitely makes sense. But I have a different rant.
As Australian's, we are as a nation very close to Asia. We have organised two major events, a telethon with some of our biggest singers performing which was broadcast over every tv channel and some radio stations, where you could sms or call in donations. We also had a massive cricket game. Combined, these events have raised over $120 million. Not including the $1 billion our government has also contributed. We also have many group troups over there distributing aid. We make up 3/4 of the people helping there.
However, the darling Indonesian government has issued us with a list of places to avoid due to terrorist threats. We are also being told we have three months to help, then get out of their country. Isn't that nice now that we have committed so much money and have promised to stay with them in the long term? And what are the very wealthy governments over there contributing to their nation?
My father and my uncle are in very high position in the Australian Defence Force. The amount of aid and time we have committed as a nation has been huge, as I know other countries have too, like America as you said. But for what?
I know the innocent people affected by this are very grateful for what we are giving and they have been left with nothing, but our troupes are being threatened with terror attacks, the food is being stolen by terrorists, and we are being given a deadline to leave their country.
I'm over it. I am so totally over it. Not only because it's on the news ALL the time, but mainly because we are being kicked in the teeth for the help we are trying to provide. Hey, if they don't want our help, fine. Deal with your own wrecked nation. I just think the governments of these countries should be dealing with the help they are getting a little more diplomatically.
That being said, I am more than happy to donate to organisations such as Rotary or Oxfam, because I know the money is being kept well out of any government's hands, including our own. I encourage everyone who can to donate anything, but I just wish we didn't have to deal with a terror threat and deadlines because of our genorosity.

[luna rising]

Both of your posts make me sad - and not because I disagree with anything either one of you have said. You are both right; it just makes me sad that the world has come to this; braggart governments and terror . . . it can make someone hesitant to help, and that is so wrong.

[happyprincessfairy69]

It hasn't made me hesitant to help, I've donated money as well as stationery and time packing boxes to be sent there. It's just made me really annoyed that these people have to live under governments which would reject outside help like that.