I would like to do my bit for under privilaged people in Africa but I’m a bit skeptical about giving to charities as I know all the money doesnt go to the cause. I would love to help people over there and know exactly who im helping and see their progress. How can I do this.? Is volunteering the only way? Please help!!!!
How can i help impoverished people in Africa besides giving to charity?
16
May
Langer
May 16, 2010 at 11:30 am
Let them eat ya lol
fizzyfresh
May 16, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Try finding local charities that are based within the communities in Africa. These charities are usually smaller and you can always ask them – by writing, email or otherwise how the money is going to be used. Usually, these smaller charities help the people in the community directly, as opposed to the larger international charities that may use funding for overhead costs.
It’s also a very good idea to ask – if they have an audit person or whatnot – if you can get a financial summary/statement and see their list of income and expenditures for the month/quarter/year. But some of these small charities don’t have financial auditing people – but you can always ask.
Good luck!
essex_reject77
May 16, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Stop giving money as the money does not reach those that need it. As with any government in any country, there are so many corrupt governments in Africa.
many of the problems Africa encounters is the result of extortionate debt. Africa is selling their food and resources to the developed world at a cheap rate in order to reduce $300 billion debt.
Change can be made by campainging the governments of the world and the IMF to cancel the debt.
Aku
May 16, 2010 at 12:43 pm
The best way to help others is to BE A GOOD EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENT SUCCESS, if you give African people money, food, etc. then that’s HOW they get it FROM NOW ON…YOU ARE NOT HELPING THEM, YOU ARE HELPING A PARASITIC POLITICAL ORGANIZATION TO SPREAD PROPAGANDA…
Why would they improve their position when you are sending all this help? They’ve already got it made! The best way to help these people is to let them discover what they can accomplish on their own…Or, if they are destined to suffer for their whole lives, then let them die quickly instead of stretching it out over years and years.
YOU DON’T KNOW THESE PEOPLE…When you set out to help them you are only doing it to feel better about your status as a capitalist…a politic that makes its profits off of EXPLOITING THESE PEOPLE!!! You REALLY want to help the needy third world denizens? Stop buying diamonds, stop using technology that was made in a foreign country, stop setting an example of violence in media…STOP LETTING THEM RIDE THE COAT-TAILS OF CAPITALISM, let them accomplish prosperity ON THEIR OWN, let them grow up…
LJDrew
May 16, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Well, there are a lot of different ways to give to charity and a lot of different charities.
Kiva might be a good solution for you as it is actually small business loans. And you do get to see who you are helping. It is nice to think you are providing more long-term solutions too.
There are watchdog groups that will tell you how much actually goes to the charity. Just remember there are always some overhead costs for running any kind of charity. But you might find one that you are more comfortable with than others.
Another option, is to work in the offices of charities that give aid to Africa and help bring down those administrative costs.
You might also have to keep the majority of your charity here by working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. Doing good things for people is contagious and will spread.
cokezero100
May 16, 2010 at 1:21 pm
join the peace corp
phil
May 16, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I’m sorry to say that simple demographics states that is harmful to aid Africa at this point in time. They have way to many people and can’t support them without help, and we can’t help them forever. They are going to have a large dieing off and it is inevitable.