Ever Thought About Sponsoring A Poor Family?

[jackr]

I began to cry.

She touched me in a way that I can't explain...

I can

Hey, numb-nut; why don't you do something useful instead of posting cynical crap about someone trying to do some good! Altering and misquoting people's posts for a laugh, as above, is the dirtiest trick on an open forum.

---

Good on you, op. The world would be better off if there were more around like you

[Dakhar]

I certainly do not allow the IRS to guide me in the deffinition of charity. If I allowed the US govt to be my moral compus I'd be in Iraq shooting at people that never set foot on US soil, or had the desire to

Regarding charity theft... yes it does happen, and that is why when I give, I just hope for the best & I do not give more than I can afford.

I knew a guy that met his Thai wfe in the US. He was young, had a substantial inheritance/trust fund, and owned a restaraunt.

His wife demanded him to send 1000 a month to her family. Eventually due to a lack of cash flow the restaraunt failed, and they moved to Thailand.

After living in Thailand for a short while, it did not take long for him to realize most Isan families live off of 7K or less. He asked where all his money had gone..... There was no reply, nothing to show for the 24K USD he had sent over 2 years.

He is still paying for family members education etc. & his wife still has the audacity to demand more out of him, because she knows:

1) She has his son.

2) He does have a trust fund

Oh and her family is upset because he never paid a sinsod!

I feel for the guy.... & no it is not me....

Edited December 29, 2007 by Dakhar

[jazzbo]

OK, then how is this for a moral compass:

If you receive (in-kind or services) more than you give, and it was your INTENT to receive more than you give, it is not charity.

...And the IRS has seen every trick in the book.

[ray23]

Well I think each person should share as they can in the way they want. I have done a major project for a local orphanage in my area. It was real learning experience, but in the end I really didn't see the value for the children. I was hoping to sit up a mentor program utilizing local farrangs with to much time on thier hands and the ability to share thier knowledge. The facility fought me every inch of the way. They simply wanted to see money, nothing else. Well I saw how they spent money more toward making the staff comfortable, then benefitiing the kids, so I passed.

For those of us who live here and can afford to do so, not all can. I think giving back a bit to place that gives us so much for so little, is a very rewarding experience. Many do this to support of the family. My wifes family does just fine and rarely needs help adnd that is normally in the form of a laon, whcih they do pay back.

I have opted to sit up a college fund for houskeepers children. Her and her husband are hard working people and no matter how hard they work will they not be able to send their children to University. They are young kid so not to costly at all, both children get a 100 baht a week in savings accounts for school. To be honest I hardly even notice it, but less then a year they have more cash in those accounts then their parents have.

I can't help all of Thailand but I can easily make a difference for a few. Hopefully like the generations in my own country these kids will have a better life then thier parents. Which in this society means the parents will have a better life in their older years.

Will the money in the end really be used for University, I like to think so, but I have no control on that once the money leaves the accounts any thing could happen. But I do control howw long it stay in there.

Find the way that works for you and don't worry about what anyone else thinks

[intumult]

any body recomend a charity organization or a local one for Thailand?

The local Amphur (spelling) is often a good place to start with donations, but not always money. Give clothes, non-alcoholic drinks, tools and other such items.

Often, when out in the sticks, you will see workers at the side of the road clearing and tidying up. Many of these are out of work or are struggling financially and paid small sums of money by the Amphur to do the work. I understand that giving clothes and other sundries can help these people and also is seen as good by the community as a whole.

Maybe this does not work in the cities and larger towns but I understand it helps out there 'in the sticks', or at least it was the case where I was.

[Dakhar]

OK, then how is this for a moral compass:

If you receive (in-kind or services) more than you give, and it was your INTENT to receive more than you give, it is not charity.

...And the IRS has seen every trick in the book.

I don't intend on recieving anything, in kind or the like. I don't even care for a thank you. I said I would give so I do, end of discussion. I can only hope they use the money as we discussed, (school tuition) If they do not, sam na na, I did my part.

No, I do not report the contributions to the IRS.... I don't like to hagle with the man. I just does as told and move on.

[skipvice]

Found this web site by doing a google search. if anbody is enterested.

http://www.thaicharities.org/

Has a long list of CHARITIES.

[chownah]

There really isn't much need for charities in Thailand....life here is pretty good for most and any dire poverty is caused by lapses in the social system in place here already. There is definitely adequate wealth in Thailand already to take care of those who need it. Africa on the other hand has entire regions that are politically unstable and there is no social network in place at all....if you want to help those in need because their circumstance is entirely beyond their control then I suggest helping out in Africa where the need is greatest.

Chownah

[Pakboong]

I have more of a soft spot in my heart for the many homeless domestic animals. The number of completely homeless people in Thailand does not rival the US.

[jazzbo]

My 2 previous posts were strictly dealing with the claims of those who consider supporting their Thai GF/wife's family the equivalent of charitable contribution to the Kingdom at large. There are many worthwhile NGOs in the USA as well as third world countries...and in some respects, USA is no better than a third world country.

Personally, I am lucky that I can contribute every day to the Thai society based on special training and qualifications, aside from any financial support, to the education of Thai citizens with a disability... and have also done so in the USA.

[siamamerican]

I give to Thias that I know, because I have a better understanding of their needs. For example, I'll pay for a childs education(books, school lunches, & uniforms). It's not expensive (~600bt per month) and all children benefit from an education. It's is noble to feed a poor Thai, but helping that poor person improve themselfs is better in my opinion.

As for the OP, do some research and give to a charity. If you have the time, visit a village. Many families can't afford to send their children to a satisfactory school. Villages provide free education through junior high, but the quality is very poor. Most villagers have access to better public schools outside their village and tuition usually runs around 1,600 bt a term which includes lunch. With the 5,000 bt you mentioned, you could educate a family of four and have thousands left over.

[jazzbo]

Good one, Kuhn SiamAmerican. I often found that an impediment to learning is the lack of a good-condition school uniform -- or a second set so that they always have a clean one to wear -- in terms of a student's self-esteem... Anyone can set up an account at a local uniform shop and do a little screening at the school or in your village to find those in need.

Basic supplies -- such as pens and pencils, notebooks, a ruler or protractor, or books especially -- can often make a difference for a student from a poor family. You can also set up a fund so that students have tuition to maybe attend a school in the nearby city... and monitor the students progress. Simple, a little work, but very effective.

[meadish_sweetball]

Giving money to one family in a village can cause problems with the rest of the villagers. There are good charities where you can sponsor a child but your money goes towards village projects agreed by the villagers themselves.

That is a good point.... The only reason I tend to shy away from organized charities is that when I was a child, my mother made sure we all gave our time to help others and as a child I saw more theft and cheating by those who received the donations. If a person gave cash it would go into a pocket, the same pocket that they reached into to pay for their lunch. If 10 hams were donated, one ham that I know of made it into the trunk of a car...

I like to give directly but your example shows how that can be a bad thing.

The percentage of money donated to many organized charities that actually goe to the cause can be as little as 1 percent. Organized indeed!

Of course there are con artists involved in the charity and foreign aid business, but that doesn't mean there aren't organizations that are effective and have none or low corruption. To put all of them in the same basket is making it too easy.

The bottom line is that if you want your money to improve something, you need to take an active interest in the person you give it to if you give privately, or in checking up on the administration of the organisation and the person or project they are supposed to channel it to.

The organisation I chose sponsors children, primarily those whose parents have HIV or have died of AIDS, but others as well, found through recommendation from schools and village organisations in the areas they operate and screened further by making unannounced visits to confirm the stories given.

I have sponsored an orphan through school, and I have visited her at home and in school a number of times to check that the money has been received and used properly. I also know the people who run the organisation.

[cm-happy]

There really isn't much need for charities in Thailand....life here is pretty good for most and any dire poverty is caused by lapses in the social system in place here already. There is definitely adequate wealth in Thailand already to take care of those who need it. Africa on the other hand has entire regions that are politically unstable and there is no social network in place at all....if you want to help those in need because their circumstance is entirely beyond their control then I suggest helping out in Africa where the need is greatest.

Chownah

On what planet is the Thailand you are refering to in your post? Do you travel about with blinders on? Don't see it, therefore it doesn't exist. Sounds like there may be a position for you in the Thai civil service. Oh and in Thailand what social system in place are you refering to. Please let us all know. Perhaps you are thinking of the Trickle down Theory. That as the wealthy get wealthier some of the wealth will "trickle down" to the poor. Just more populist policy nonsense.

PS were are speaking about THAILAND NOT AFRICA.

[pointofview]

The percentage of money donated to many organized charities that actually goe to the cause can be as little as 1 percent. Organized indeed!

Most Brits wear a poppy on Remembrance Day but at one time as little as 4% of the monies donated went to ex-servicemen.

Oxfam sent £35,000 to a West African nation in the late 60's but the President of the country spent £28,500 of it on his daughter's wedding.

Sri Lanka were given a few vehicles to aid tsunami relief but they also wanted someone to pay the VAT on them!

You want to save the whale? Donate to Greenpeace but I wonder if your donation is going to save the whale or paying the fine imposed on Greenpeace.

Bob Geldorf was a failed pop star before BandAid now.....

I have been told that the beggars at tourists attractions are bussed in every day to start their 'shift' and that their boss takes the most of their donations. I never give them money - sometimes I give them a drink or something to eat.

The Bangkok Post and the needy children - I wonder how many are orphaned and how many have spun the Post a tale and their mothers are working in Bangkok or Pattaya.

Exactly, many people involved in charty are suspect in many ways. Just warched a TV documentry about Greenpeace. Looked at the volunteers on a ship chasing - looking for - japanese whalers. Bunch of fags and lesbians living well on spring lamb and veal cutlets!

PS i often stop to give to genuine poor people who look to be dowmn on their luck - no publicity or self praise

Edited December 29, 2007 by pointofview

[Pepe']

The percentage of money donated to many organized charities that actually goe to the cause can be as little as 1 percent. Organized indeed!

Most Brits wear a poppy on Remembrance Day but at one time as little as 4% of the monies donated went to ex-servicemen.

Oxfam sent £35,000 to a West African nation in the late 60's but the President of the country spent £28,500 of it on his daughter's wedding.

Sri Lanka were given a few vehicles to aid tsunami relief but they also wanted someone to pay the VAT on them!

You want to save the whale? Donate to Greenpeace but I wonder if your donation is going to save the whale or paying the fine imposed on Greenpeace.

Bob Geldorf was a failed pop star before BandAid now.....

I have been told that the beggars at tourists attractions are bussed in every day to start their 'shift' and that their boss takes the most of their donations. I never give them money - sometimes I give them a drink or something to eat.

The Bangkok Post and the needy children - I wonder how many are orphaned and how many have spun the Post a tale and their mothers are working in Bangkok or Pattaya.

Exactly, many people involved in charty are suspect in many ways. Just warched a TV documentry about Greenpeace. Looked at the volunteers on a ship chasing - looking for - japanese whalers. Bunch of fags and lesbians living well on spring lamb and veal cutlets!

PS i often stop to give to genuine poor people who look to be dowmn on their luck - no publicity or self praise

----------------------------

Cigarettes and lesbians. Fags are cigarettes right? I don't get it...

[bkkperson]

Nice one OP like ya thought good on ya!!

[pointofview]

The percentage of money donated to many organized charities that actually goe to the cause can be as little as 1 percent. Organized indeed!

Most Brits wear a poppy on Remembrance Day but at one time as little as 4% of the monies donated went to ex-servicemen.

Oxfam sent £35,000 to a West African nation in the late 60's but the President of the country spent £28,500 of it on his daughter's wedding.

Sri Lanka were given a few vehicles to aid tsunami relief but they also wanted someone to pay the VAT on them!

You want to save the whale? Donate to Greenpeace but I wonder if your donation is going to save the whale or paying the fine imposed on Greenpeace.

Bob Geldorf was a failed pop star before BandAid now.....

I have been told that the beggars at tourists attractions are bussed in every day to start their 'shift' and that their boss takes the most of their donations. I never give them money - sometimes I give them a drink or something to eat.

The Bangkok Post and the needy children - I wonder how many are orphaned and how many have spun the Post a tale and their mothers are working in Bangkok or Pattaya.

Exactly, many people involved in charty are suspect in many ways. Just warched a TV documentry about Greenpeace. Looked at the volunteers on a ship chasing - looking for - japanese whalers. Bunch of fags and lesbians living well on spring lamb and veal cutlets!

PS i often stop to give to genuine poor people who look to be dowmn on their luck - no publicity or self praise

----------------------------

Cigarettes and lesbians. Fags are cigarettes right? I don't get it...

There was obviously a lot of smoking going on onboard the ship - also pie munching

[torrenova]

In my observed experience, direct giving to poor families causes more problems than it solves. What happens initially is that work stops and your gift is purely substituting the income earned from labour. Any excess is just wasted, likely on alcohol.

Even if work continues, what tends to happen is that the extra income is used to obtain credit. Mobile phones, LCD tvs, even trucks are bought and the extra you give them just goes to pay for these luxury items. They will not repair the hole in the roof of install a proper toilet for instance.

And then if you need to withdraw funding, they are immediately screwed or less subtlety, their daughter is going to be.

[chownah]

There really isn't much need for charities in Thailand....life here is pretty good for most and any dire poverty is caused by lapses in the social system in place here already. There is definitely adequate wealth in Thailand already to take care of those who need it. Africa on the other hand has entire regions that are politically unstable and there is no social network in place at all....if you want to help those in need because their circumstance is entirely beyond their control then I suggest helping out in Africa where the need is greatest.

Chownah

On what planet is the Thailand you are refering to in your post? Do you travel about with blinders on? Don't see it, therefore it doesn't exist. Sounds like there may be a position for you in the Thai civil service. Oh and in Thailand what social system in place are you refering to. Please let us all know. Perhaps you are thinking of the Trickle down Theory. That as the wealthy get wealthier some of the wealth will "trickle down" to the poor. Just more populist policy nonsense.

PS were are speaking about THAILAND NOT AFRICA.

I was trying to show the difference between buying a student a second school uniform and some school supplies with babies dieing of starvation and not even having a place to live without fear of being killed. Compare the need in Africa and Thailand.......

Chownah

[jazzbo]

Point taken Kuhn Chownah... but I am here in Thailand and I do work with disadvantaged school children.

[siamamerican]

I was trying to show the difference between buying a student a second school uniform and some school supplies with babies dieing of starvation and not even having a place to live without fear of being killed. Compare the need in Africa and Thailand.......

Chownah

It's definitely sad, but it seems it is hopeless. The continent is perpetually in dire need of everything. They lack food, infrastructure, and many don't have any morals. I simply don't see how charities have improved the situation in the whole continent.

Thailand isn't hopeless. I can make a difference in improving individuals lifes. Maybe if I went to Africa, I could help, but I'm not a saint. I'll just do my little part in Thailand and not worry about my friends getting their arms hacked off.

Edited December 30, 2007 by siamamerican

[jazzbo]

A few years ago I was at a school for the blind. I had been helping a young girl with some English language Braille material. She was a top student at her mainstream high school, was speaking English very well, and was beginning to learn Japanese.(There is a lot of adaptive technology training available for students who are blind in Japan, but all conducted in Japanese.)

One day her Father was there; just your average rural rice farmer with little or no education. My Thai skills were not much in those days, but you could see this gentleman just BEAMING with pride over his daughter's accomplishments... that this young girl, with so many disadvantages, had come so far.

It is moments like that, where you can see results firsthand, that humbles one just to be able to help a little bit in this world.

[Chang_paarp]

any body recomend a charity organization or a local one for Thailand?

Mercy Mission in Pattaya, they provide a home and education for kids. Last time I was there they had over 20 living in and were providing education for another 10 or 20. They also go out to the slums to give food water and medical attention, as well as visit prisoners to give food and water.

Look ere for details you can donate through charities in several countries to get tax deductibility for your donation or direct, the details are on the site. You can chose to sponsor an education scholarship or just give money, if you are in the Pattaya area they will accept non-perishable food too. If you are feeling very generous they are raising funds to purchase the property they currently rent.

There are a number of other organisations that are doing good work, but this is the one I am familiar with.

[keekwai]

Ever Thought About Sponsoring A Poor Family?

Yes .. I did think about it once .. then I thought "Nah .. bugger em!"

[beammeup]

Nice to see some one doing good for a change, I gave 200 of those yellow love the king T-shirts to the local orfanage last year and they sent me a picture of all the kids with the shirts on and big smiles. It was a nice feeling.

[pointofview]

Giving money to one family in a village can cause problems with the rest of the villagers. There are good charities where you can sponsor a child but your money goes towards village projects agreed by the villagers themselves.

That is a good point.... The only reason I tend to shy away from organized charities is that when I was a child, my mother made sure we all gave our time to help others and as a child I saw more theft and cheating by those who received the donations. If a person gave cash it would go into a pocket, the same pocket that they reached into to pay for their lunch. If 10 hams were donated, one ham that I know of made it into the trunk of a car...

I like to give directly but your example shows how that can be a bad thing.

The percentage of money donated to many organized charities that actually goe to the cause can be as little as 1 percent. Organized indeed!

Of course there are con artists involved in the charity and foreign aid business, but that doesn't mean there aren't organizations that are effective and have none or low corruption. To put all of them in the same basket is making it too easy.

The bottom line is that if you want your money to improve something, you need to take an active interest in the person you give it to if you give privately, or in checking up on the administration of the organisation and the person or project they are supposed to channel it to.

The organisation I chose sponsors children, primarily those whose parents have HIV or have died of AIDS, but others as well, found through recommendation from schools and village organisations in the areas they operate and screened further by making unannounced visits to confirm the stories given.

I have sponsored an orphan through school, and I have visited her at home and in school a number of times to check that the money has been received and used properly. I also know the people who run the organisation.

Being involved and taking an interest is obviously far better than just handing over cash - good on you!

[bonobo]

Not completely in the same vein, but does anyone know how to sponsor an ambulance? I know these are all volunteer, and the crews pay for their supplies.  I used to be a volunteer EMT in the US, and I would like to sponsor a crew in Thailand.

[pointofview]

Not completely in the same vein, but does anyone know how to sponsor an ambulance? I know these are all volunteer, and the crews pay for their supplies. I used to be a volunteer EMT in the US, and I would like to sponsor a crew in Thailand.

Sounds a bit dangerous! Did you not read the thread regarding the shooting and violence betwen crews?

[DragonQuest]

ya i have a feeling when i see poor peolpe on the street but what can you do? give them money to suppy thier drug habits? no thanks.