One of the most common dilemmas that people face today is
that of donating to the needy in other countries. The question often
comes down to what is best to give – money, supplies, or food? And
what about cases where it seems donations do not reach their intended
recipients – is it worth donating at all? The fact is there is no right
or wrong answer. It’s a touchy subject, for which there are many
differing opinions. And there are many scenarios in which the question of
donations can come up. Before you decide to give, and by what means,
consider what those who frequently deal with this subject have to say, and what
they suggest.
Giving Money while in Country
Travelers are perhaps among those most often faced with the
subject of donations, especially those who visit countries of a significantly
lower income. Who hasn’t been on a vacation somewhere and been approached
by a child on the street seeking a handout? Is it a good idea to just
toss a few coins into his cup? Some people firmly believe that this
practice only lends to the cycle of begging, and can actually harm the child in
the long run. Daniela Ruby Papi from Pepyride, an organization that
helps the underprivileged people of Cambodia, feels that while it’s important
to give, you should never give directly to a begging child. As she puts
it:
“Giving money to begging children keeps them on the
street. It is hard to remember that when a child is looking up at you, but if
you don’t then it then becomes more profitable for that kid to be on the street
than in school.”
Bringing Donations with you
There is also the question of whether or not to bring
donations with you when making the journey to an impoverished country.
When disasters occur, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti, it’s human nature
to want to help. Volunteers from all over the world prepare to donate
their time, efforts and anything else they feel would help to those who are in
need. But determining what is best to bring can be challenging. Is
money best? Or would supplies be better utilized for immediate
need? It is suggested by some that volunteers wait until they arrive on
site to determine exactly what is needed, rather than bring items from
home. As for monetary donations, Randy LeGrant of GeoVisions advises
against it, stating:
“In
general, we advise our volunteers to not make any contribution
financially. Most times the funds do not get to where they will do the
most good. After all, that is why you are there working, right?”
Donating your time: Volunteering
The same can be said for volunteers seeking to assist with
the underprivileged in countries that may not have faced a recent disaster, but
are generally impoverished and in need of basic goods, such as food, clothing
and medical supplies. The general consensus seems to be that it depends
on the location that is to receive the assistance. Kimberly Haley-Coleman
of GlobeAware, an organization that leads volunteer trips to third world
countries, suggests the following:
“Where volunteers do want to donate I try to, whenever
possible, ask our local coordinator or other members of the local community to
decide for themselves what would be useful. In other words, the answer to what
is best is best answered by the people in the community.”
She
goes on to point out that “the greatest aid to country regarding donations
is usually to buy the items upon arrival, further stimulating the local
economy.”
Sending Donations from Abroad
So what about people who want to help out but can’t travel
to do so? The question of what to send becomes even more significant
because there is no way to really know if what you are donating is being used
for the right purpose, since you are not there to witness it. Sending
supplies can be helpful, but keep in mind that it’s not always practical.
Kimberly Haley-Coleman says she gets requests all the time from people wanting
to donate large items like computers. The problem with this is that the
cost of shipping to the recipient is often more expensive than the underlying
value of the item.
People who are interested in making cash donations should do
so with caution, to ensure that the money being sent is actually getting to
those who truly need it. Some people advise against monetary donations,
while others feel that it is the most effective means of giving. It
ultimately depends on the country and circumstances. Take, for example,
the 2004 tsunami that struck Indonesia. Sarah Van Auken of
Volunteer Global points out that:
“Individuals
with very good intentions sent supplies that were never delivered to the
victims, and in fact created more trouble amidst the chaos for the aid workers
on the ground. In cases like these, where there's an urgent need for
assistance, monetary donations always are the best route.”
Sarah Graham of African Impact suggests that if you do
choose to go this route and send money you should do so “via a responsible,
registered organization to ensure that your donation is making the right
difference.”
Christy McCarthy at Footprints Network
who works on the donation receiving end adds: "We use donations made by thousands of people buying
online, to fund community development projects that are clearly outlined for
those donating. They know what they're donating to, what the outcome is. That
level of transparency is important for anyone donating"
Determining the best course of action can be accomplished by
following three simple tips, according to Jeff Greenwald, Ethical Traveler’s
Executive Director:
- Find out what's
needed before providing any donations
- Money should only be
given when there's reliable oversight;
- It's best if the trip
provider coordinates donations rather than everyone pulling out their wallet or
bringing their old clothes, etc.
Which Donation is Best?
There
are many options available to those who feel compelled to give to those less
fortunate, be it through money, supplies, food or volunteering their
time. One way is not necessarily better than another. Determining
which method is best is ultimately a personal decision; a decision that should
be reached carefully and only after fully understanding the situation at
hand. So should you donate? And if so, how should you do it?
Perhaps Kimberly Haley-Coleman put it best when she said:
“Somewhere
in between is what most volunteers do. There's no one right, easy answer,
clearly, since each situation varies so greatly.”
Read more stories from our Responsible Travel blog to learn how to travel the globe responsibly. WorldNomads.com - an essential part of every adventurous traveller's journey.
Do you have any advice for making a donation? Leave us your tips.
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