Now that I'm making money again, I like to donate to some cause. However, the usual charities, Red Cross, Unesco, Save the Children, etc, are huge organizations and when I check their accounts, I find some suck up 90% or more of my donation for admin fees. So, 10 cents or less of my buck is going to help the actual charity focus and the rest is for the organization. I saw a benefit hosted at an upscale restaurant in Vancouver for the SPCA, who's director or whatever apparently makes $100,000 a year. This I do not understand.

And because of charities' relentless promo campaigns, I only donate anonymously so they can't sell my contact info to other charities or harrass me with daily phone calls about saving a poor waif in some African nation. I don't need a tax write-off and quite frankly, I don't donate so I can qualify for one or show people how kind I am (f** off, I'm not kind and never will be). I used to buy food for homeless kids here, and they put it in their pocket and took off. Trade off for crack? Dunno.

What are you folks take on this? How do you give back for the good life you have?

Having seen the way " major " charities took in millions in Hong Kong for the Vietnamese Boat People and ending up distributing very little, I can see your dilemma. Small groups, who perform marvels for the good of the recipients are the way to go. In Pattaya there are a number of these that look after unwanted children and do a marvellous job, as none of the money given goes on keeping an International monolith afloat, just on giving and caring as it is supposed to be. Scope out similar in your area.

Thanks, Limpy. Yes, I know there is a children's refuge near Ranong (not Rayong), too. I also give to NR's dog centre. Oh, the temples that take in kids are a good place to give, too. Direct is best, I believe, especially after seeing the big charities' tsunami mismanagement. I reckon a related 101 course is "how to skim off the top".

Hi Jet,

If you are looking for somewhere that doesn't 'skim off the top', is not bogged down by administration costs - in fact almost everyone works for nothing, does a huge amount of good and is desperate for money, you could do a lot worse than the Mercy Centre for destitute and starving kids in Pattaya.

There are loads of threads on the Mercy Centre in the Pattaya forum, but here is one that gives testimony by other TV members to it's good work:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...centre&st=0

And the mercy Centre's website is:

http://www.mercypattaya.org/

..which incidentally was re-designed and updated by Thai Visa members, free of charge.

I am sure there are other, equally worthy charities, but the above is just one that I can guarantee will use your money well and wisely.

Thanks so much, Jettie for your donation. I'll go & get it today & email you or pm you.

I'm afraid I don't give to charity anymore. I've got very little money myself, & between the dog center & my little boy I think I'm probably doing my bit already;). I do support local human charities in other ways though, by publicising them & giving them free space in our charity shop to sell their handicrafts. At the moment, Mercy House Orphanage in Pranburi is taking advantage of that & I also support Cheshire Home in Cha am.

Jet, all of your money will go to the dogs rather than admin. I can assure you of that, as I am admin & I know for a fact, I take nothing from the center.

Same same. When I give to charities, which is not as often as it should be, I give anonymously to small local charities where I'm confident that most of the money ends up where it should. I, and many other people in the UK, are getting charity burn out from the big international outfits where the head honcho does all right thank you very much. They explain this away by saying that they need qualified top quality management to run the organisation efficiently and the only way to attract these people is to pay the going rate. For me this is bolleaux, who gives to a charity because it is well run and has a top notch web site and glossy handouts?

The bigger the organisation gets it seems the grosser is the mismanagement of it's funds, and that's before they reach the final destination and are subject to local redistribution. The funds for the tsunami are a prime example where those funds that actually made it through seemed to find their way into the wrong pockets or disappeared into "miscellaneous expenses".

Most of my charitable donations these days are made to local orphanages in and around Pattaya and next time I'm there I'll take the time to look up this Mercy Centre. The only problem I have with many of these places is the religious overtones which I disagree with. Charity should be directed at those who need it without racial, sexual, religious or most definately political leanings. However given that if these people did nothing nobody else would do anything so it's better the kids are housed, fed, clothed and educated and I just overlook the religion bit.

Geez, NR, I told you to have a drink on me and give your son a treat, too! I think that was strictly stipulated in my message. I think you do enough charitable work, so other donations are not needed.

Thanks, Mobi for the Mercy info. Just read their site. Altho I am wary of religious missions, this sounds very fair. (Ditto on your thoughts, Phil; I just read the post you placed while I was typing.)

I also read in the Phuket forum that Vaimar has a charity shop in Phuket. It sounds good, too.

I know there are many small venues helping their local kids, people and animals in Thailand.

Same same. When I give to charities, which is not as often as it should be, I give anonymously to small local charities where I'm confident that most of the money ends up where it should. I, and many other people in the UK, are getting charity burn out from the big international outfits where the head honcho does all right thank you very much. They explain this away by saying that they need qualified top quality management to run the organisation efficiently and the only way to attract these people is to pay the going rate. For me this is bolleaux, who gives to a charity because it is well run and has a top notch web site and glossy handouts?

On my second tour of Somalia - I got told to take my guys and do a pick up from the Airport to be delivered to one of the International Hotels. Normally the terminology is used to get some VIPs and that made sense because we had a group of people coming in from UNESCO and several international charities. Fully kitted up and pulled into the airport, and discovered it was several large sealed crates labelled for delivery to the one of the Heads at UNESCO. Came in via a diplomatic clearance so it was a bit odd but everything there is odd. Got the guys to load it into the trucks, formed up a mounted column and took off at top speed to deliver it. Signed over the delivery and a couple of days later discovered it was the food that had been prepared in the US and shipped in for the dinners for the International visitors. The purpose of the visit was to study the shortage of food in the country and the effects on the children - simple really the food gets highjacked on the way in and sold by the militia. The results are that the women and kids starve and die, young boys join the militia because they have the food and will feed them if they fight. The problem hasn't changed in decades and will continue for an unforseable time. In any case the charities that are purportedly there to help skim off massive amounts of money to feed themselves.

To add insult to injury we were eating ration packs when the delegates were chowing down on pate de fois gras, beef wellington, and fresh vegetables. I have no idea how much it all cost but it put all of us right off making any donations to the organisations involved.

Now I make tambun at the wat, I used to do more but now am restricted in how much time I can donate teaching kids and monks English. I help out our local home for abandoned kids and will give money to kids selling flowers in the street. I quite often will buy them some dinner and make sure they eat it. I believe in charity starts in the home, you can't save everyone but you can help out those who genuinely are trying to make a difference. I have people I will help when I get a couple of things sorted out but I can't take care of everyone I want to help.

I just try to do what I can.

CB

I donate to many smaller charities on an ad hoc basis.

In my former life as an investigator I was privy to the running of several larger charitable institutions in my home city and was surprised at the amount that was skimmed from the top before the worthy received a sniff. Those doorknock collecters get quite a sizable % of the take before the Admin area even starts the distribution.

I have another little peeve. I have thought of donating to several of the causes advertised on the forum, but have been put off by the fact that the potential receiptiants have sniped at me in the past on the forum (non humourously). Am I being petty? I also wonder about people who say they donate anonymously and yet openly boast on the forum about their donations.

I donate to many smaller charities on an ad hoc basis.

In my former life as an investigator I was privy to the running of several larger charitable institutions in my home city and was surprised at the amount that was skimmed from the top before the worthy received a sniff. Those doorknock collecters get quite a sizable % of the take before the Admin area even starts the distribution.

I have another little peeve. I have thought of donating to several of the causes advertised on the forum, but have been put off by the fact that the potential receiptiants have sniped at me in the past on the forum (non humourously). Am I being petty? I also wonder about people who say they donate anonymously and yet openly boast on the forum about their donations.

Thanks, CB, for that info.

Sorry, Croc, I hope I was not seen as "boasting" about my small "anonymous" contribution (and it was small). Not my intention. Just want to get folks into helping and hearing about where to help. Will never talk about it again.

Jet......

I myself work for an NGO, but have to add that we constantly emphasise on true empowerment rather than welfare charity. we do not give out any cash (true that the main nature of our work is about educating and training, and not about disaster response), but even when dealing with poverty alleviation as part of our human rights programmes the emphasis we place is on skill training and income generation schemes.

and yes you are right that with some of the big organisations a lot of the money goes to admin fees, but 90% sounds like very extreme case to me. I know that a lot of the UN funds is consumed by admin costs and salaries (not sure how justified it is in many cases, for instance Ive seen people at the assistant level get paid much higher than people in our organisation who are at the middle management level working on content of a range of issues --clearly much higher responsibility and skills required....so no idea what the UN pay scale is based on...but anyhow)

another big org is the EU, which interestingly until a few years ago had one of the smallest admin ratio to programme related costs (used to be 20% or less according to someone I met at the EU a few years ago, but he admits that it has gone up in the last few years). mind you a lot of the costs for the EU are related to not the 'pure admin' as such, but their evaluation and monitoring schemes. (there was some scandal at the EU Commission back in 2003?...where the entire commission had to resign....anyhow since then they've become more strict in watching how their funds is spent.....hence an entire new industry has been created in Brussels private companies on contracted work for the EU for monitoring and evaluation .....would be interesting to find out how much EUR goes into that industry.........

anyhow...despite all these drawbacks etc, I still do give to the big NGOs, things like World Vision or similar.....i look at it this way....because of their large scale operation they can do more with my 300baht or 500baht a month for one child than I can possibly do with the same amount.....economies of scale still prevails despite the earlier contested weak points.

anyhow.....I think my main contribution is through my time and commitment both through my formal work and my volunteer efforts so I figured the foregone salary I could make in a different sector is my financial contribution for taking a lower paid job

in terms of giving money to hungry people...i learnt this from my Mom a long time ago.......a guy once approached us for money...he looked totally healthy and capable of finding some sort of work....anyhow begged for money....said he was starving.....Mom said sit down at next table (we were eating at one outdoor thai style restaurant).......and ordered food for him. she said...that way it wouldnt bother our conscience later on IF he was infact telling the truth about being very hungry (which after what my Mom did clearly showed he wasnt....cos he didnt look too happy about being given a meal.......wanted money for other purpose).........

regardless of how each one of us view large charities, small NGOs, or volunteer work, or even the odd donations you give to people on the street......just remember that choose whatever you think works for you...dont worry too much about critiques of any particular system.........none of them will ever be perfect. dont let that stop you from your compassion though

Sorry, Croc, I hope I was not seen as "boasting" about my small "anonymous" contribution (and it was small). Not my intention. Just want to get folks into helping and hearing about where to help. Will never talk about it again.

Jet - not often we agree but I didn't read your post as being a boast at all. I thougth we were talking about what we do and relaying personal experiences. I think your post of making a donation was as valid as mine saying I give coins to the kids selling flowers in the street, to MiG16 post about working for a NGO - never knew that, I kinda assumed she was a food taster for a giant chocoldate manufacturer

CB

I donate to organisations that I know are run by volunteers, many doing good work in Africa and India. I also have a few monthly amounts going to animal charities and the like. I do feel that getting out and doing something is also a good way to 'give back'. I do some voluntary work and it is very satisfying. I once cooked Christmas dinner for 50 in an old peoples home. I also made them happy with sherry and snowballs! The most fun I have ever had. What a great way to spend Christmas day.

I avoid donating to organisations that have political or religious affiliations.

I donate to many smaller charities on an ad hoc basis.

<snip>

I have another little peeve. I have thought of donating to several of the causes advertised on the forum, but have been put off by the fact that the potential receiptiants have sniped at me in the past on the forum (non humourously). Am I being petty? I also wonder about people who say they donate anonymously and yet openly boast on the forum about their donations.

No, you're not being petty. I hope I'm not being petty in assuming that I'm one of those people that you're talking about? I fully understand why you wouldn't want to give to non profit orgs run by people you personally have a problem with. If you still want to give, perhaps find another organisation that does similar work, maybe in your own area. That way, you're still helping the cause, but not those particular people. Much as we need money, I'd have no probs with people giving to Soi Dog Foundation (Phuket), Samuidog, Soi Dog Rescue, Phangna (sp?) Animal Care or any of the others. We're all doing the same job.

Sorry, Croc, I hope I was not seen as "boasting" about my small "anonymous" contribution

Will never talk about it again.

Jet....I hope you will not start to think like that

people do things for some form of reward, even if that reward is simply about personal satisfaction and fulfillment on being able to give back or share with the less opportune. but whatever your motivations and reasons I dont think you should have to hide it. sure there will be those that do it for publicity purpose, I still say why not....as long as the benefits still go for a good cause. in your case or any of us as laypeople........most of the times we dont gain any huge publicity that we can use for some personal benefit....nor are we likely to be getting some lifetime achievement awards.....but i really see no reason why u shouldnt be able to talk about it. ofcourse for many of us, as I already see with NR, we ourselves feel some sense of awkwardness to talk too much about what we do anyhow. my point is u neednt worry about it being seen as boasting.......

u look at the media these days, theres enough bad news being reported. so this is a pleasant change to read about the truly nice and kind things that people still do for each other and for strangers. it will motivate us to keep going and in the process might even inspire others to contribute in their own ways.

its about sharing wealth remember...and wealth comes in all forms...including knowledge and information.

CB....yes an NGO, but our agenda is not about charitable and welfare work. although I do those on an adhoc basis in my own spare time

NR...good to hear that your centre finally got coverage in OUtlook!! I tried to get them to do that when we last spoke a few months ago....but with either my contact or myself being away....never quite managed that.....the fundraising event idea died down too didnt it....havent spoken to my friends in Huahin since some months now drop me an email sometime to let me know how things are going........

PS. sorry to be almost taking over the thread people

I kinda assumed she was a food taster for a giant chocoldate manufacturer

CB

back in uni I made an attempt at that did a marketing project (product launch) where I picked cadbury's and presented a case about launching Cadbury's mini stores, cadbury's new flavour (Kiwi) and one or 2 other ideas....cant remember now. anyhow both of those first 2 ideas didnt exist at the time (atleast not to my knowledge, and not in the particular market I was referring to).....so I wonder if I can claim that they picked up on my idea

can I sue them for .... oh nevermind

back on topic........

do any of you know how much Cadbury's contribute to social projects? would that be my other indirect financial contribution to society?

I kinda assumed she was a food taster for a giant chocoldate manufacturer

CB

back in uni I made an attempt at that did a marketing project (product launch) where I picked cadbury's and presented a case about launching Cadbury's mini stores, cadbury's new flavour (Kiwi)

They make a kiwi flavoured one - what's it taste like? Mutton?

CB

Not wishing to be judgemental, controversial or start any kind of war, I do find it strange and disconcerting when we get senior members (no names mentioned) who say they won't 'give' because in some thread somewhere they have been 'slighted' by the person requesting the donation, and then we get others who say they don't like to help people in the forum because they never receive anything return.

Anyhow, maybe I will be controversial, when I suggest that this attitude is typical of many farangs in LOS. Is this an attitude that they 'catch' from Thais? I well remember my beloved ex wife ( a Thai) who would never help anyone if she didn't think there was something in it for her somewhere down the line.

What happened to the spirit of just giving of yourself, and taking pleasure in the act of helping or giving - be it advice or whatever - without looking for reward or thanks in return. Sure it's nice, but a prerequisite?

And come to that whatever happened to 'turning the other cheek'?

Maybe I'm just a stupid old bastard who lives in a dream world. No wonder I don't have many friends left

What happened to the spirit of just giving of yourself, and taking pleasure in the act of helping or giving - be it advice or whatever - without looking for reward or thanks in return. Sure it's nice, but a prerequisite?

Mobi.....dont despair....ofcourse that still exist! but often u just dont hear about these kind acts.....but then again often u do.......

think back to all the stories during Tsunami and how local thai people helped the tourists even when they themselves had almost nothing

hence what I said to jet earlier about her and similarly others who do their good deeds to share their little stories with others

Huh, Mobi. Based on your writings. you seem to be one of the kindest posters ever; your goldie avatar underscores that, too. 555 I also thought it would be good to hear about smaller charities and help places. Give them some notice and mebbe some help.

Huh, Mobi. Based on your writings. you seem to be one of the kindest posters ever; your goldie avatar underscores that, too. 555 I also thought it would be good to hear about smaller charities and help places. Give them some notice and mebbe some help.

Jet, You are too kind

You've obviously not read all my posts (why indeed should you?) otherwise you wouldn't say such nice things about an averagely irritable, 'one foot in the grave',farang who has probably been here a bit too long.

I suppose all I was saying was if you want to give - give; and if you want to come on the forum and give advice then do so, but if you don't want to, then just keep quiet and don't bore us with reasons why you don't want to. We all know that folks are ungrateful, and some charities are rip offs.

MiG 16, Yes, there are some truly wonderful people in Thailand - not least the selfless folk who run the kids charities in Pattaya. Some of them are truly saints - and that's from an atheist!!

But I'm afraid there are also a lot of the other kind - too many for my liking.

Mobi, I'd say sick your dog on the baddies, but then, as he/she is a Goldie, it ain't gonna happen anytime soon. 555 Maybe she could run them to death. Or lick them to death?

I saw a snippet on CrapNotNews this morning about an American couple setting up a microfinance thing.

I checked their website and it seems individuals could make small ($25 min ?) loans to mini-entrepreneurs of their choice. I have read of microfinance having much success and this seems an excellent initiative.

Check Wubbleyou Wubbleyou Wubbleyou dot KIVA dot org if interested.

$25? where, FS? Geez, couldn't even set up a roadside lemonade stand for that in America. In Canada, you'd need $50 for a food safe certificate, $75 or so for a biz licence, $50 for wood and $200 for the unionised carpenter to make it, etc.....

This place sounds like the Nobel Prize winner Dr Yummus' bank. Excellent!

$25? where, FS? Geez, couldn't even set up a roadside lemonade stand for that in America. In Canada, you'd need $50 for a food safe certificate, $75 or so for a biz licence, $50 for wood and $200 for the unionised carpenter to make it, etc.....

This place sounds like the Nobel Prize winner Dr Yummus' bank. Excellent!

As I understood it , $25 was the minimum loan from an individual. Normally the recipients are looking for a bit more than that and you can see "$ needed/$ dollar received" on their listings.