Perhaps I read the post differently?
I thought the guy meant that we shouldn't need charities, and that governments should be stepping in instead. If that is what he meant then I have to agree.
Charities are fantastic, much good is done by organisations and individuals alike. Fact is charities save lives and help those unable to help themselves.
People like Sir Bob stood up and said 'No more' and did something about it.
But...there is a bigger issue, at least there is to me. We shouldn't need charities in the 21st century. Forget the recession, we in the west are wealthy people and we have easy lives. There are those elsewhere that suffer on a daily basis. I'm not a politician and probably don't know what I'm talking about, but I am sure that western governments have the power to stop this unfair balance. It sickens me when I hear of Super Bonuses and abused privileges.
We shouldn't have to support charities but today we must and we do. I'm going to a charity event tonight to support a charity close to my heart, MAG, that deals with all the unexploded ordinance that kills/maims innocent people. But I feel that this group should be funded by a government(s), not through charity fund raising. Someone is responsible for dropping it in the first place, after all.
Ok, I'm rambling. To sum up, I agree we need charities now but as a world there is enough to go round for everyone and it those we voted for that need to act, and fast.

Hi all,

I've been watching this thread for a while and, as I've got time, thought I'd add my two penny-worth.

I've worked for 'charities' for the last 15 years and spent about ten of that working overseas, much with many of the (British) household names, and most in war/conflict zones (I just looked on my CV and its 22 countries in all, including all the usual suspects, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Sudan, Sri Lanka, etc, etc).

I won't attempt to justify anything, or 'preach' hopefully, but these are just some random observatiosn regarding a few issues/topics which appeared on this thread (and some on others), from personal experience.......

Do NGOs waste money ? Yup sure do. Which ones ? The big ones (the household names) and the small ones (who invariably claim they dont have the overheads of the big ones). The big ones because they have got caught up in this 'advocacy' spiral where they are employing more and more people (including in the field, not just head offices) on what you could crudely call media and marketing (not just to the general public, but governments, UN, etc). The argument is of course if you can get one major policy changed or one resolution enacted in could effect millions not dozens, so it is worth the investment....but it isn't, because in all my time I'm aware of nothing of this nature which has fundamentally effected the nature or causes of poverty. However at field level you are increasingly just an 'information gatherer', spending more time with a camera and note pad than a warter pump or hyperdermic (hence their programmes are getting worse, not better).

The small ones waste money as there are hidden costs they hever talk about. They boast they dont spend money on airfares, etc...well they do, they just pay them out of their own pockets (so why not give this money to the 'work'). They also ponce off the bigger ones, borrowing cars, satelite phones,and office space, etc, which the big ones will rarely refuse but show up in THEIR accounts, not the small NGOs. They also claim they dont 'waste' money on admin. Well as Mr Geldof found out it's really easy to raise money, bloody hard to spend it (responsibly). You could push a million dollars out of the back of a moving C130 at 20,000 ft and the admin costs would zero. The benefit would also be pretty similar. But to spend money wisely some times takes a lot of time and energy. 'Admin' can be good if done well (have a look at ANY UN agency if you want leasons on how to do it badly). Also small NGOs have no economy of scale. If you're going to employ staff, etc, you have to do shed loads of work to justify it, and they rarely do. It goes back to the old 'Give a fishermen a fish..' argument. Many still give the fish (i.e they are caught up in the old fashioned idea of 'charity' - they give things) and while some do 'give fishermen fishing rods', they dont give enough to justify their overheads (incidentally, from bitter exerience, if you give a man a fishing rod, he'll often sell it, buy 20 Rothmans and a bottle of whisky and go home and beat his wife to sleep with the empty. Solutions look Soooooooo simple on paper and so rarely work in reality).

So who should you give money to ? Well I'd never give to the big household names, but neither to the small ones (I've worked for both). There are plenty of middle ranking ones which I think strike a good balance though. If you're British this means Action Aid, CAFOD, Chrisitan Aid, Practical Action, Water Aid, etc. Also if you're concerned about the whole issue of 'development' (and I am) don't give to it, just give to relief activities. In this though avoid the 'maga-campaigns' (Tsumani, Live Aid, Kosovo, etc) and specify the 'forgotten emergencies' (west africa, Sudan, etc). Also give to specialist emgernecy organisations, like MSF, ACF, Merlin, etc, not generalists.

Shouldn't governments do this stuff anyway ? NO, absolutely no way. Governments (universally, across the world) are crap at deliverying any sort of service, be this food in a refugee camp or water to a modern, wealthy city. If you're rich, you privatise, if your poor you rely on NGOs. In the case of the UK (thanks to Margaret Thatcher) the government has manged to get the best of both worlds by being rich but getting NGOs to run a lot of essential sevies anyway (nice trick if you can pull it off). Think Isle of Man air ambulance ? Life boats ? Homeless shelters ? etc, etc...

So what should you do when faced with poverty on your travels ? Well do what ever you think best. If you want to change the underlying causes of the suffering and poverty you see, give to the type of organisation I've mentioned (which are the sort I work for, and is the reason why I work for them). If you feel bad about the scabby little kid, with the manky eye begging by your bike, give to the kid (which is what I do personally). This has nothing to do with addressing the causes of poverty ('cos the kid will still be begging tomorrow), but it makes you sleep easier, and that's why I do it (what's 20 rupees ?). There's nothing wrong with that, it's a natural human emontion/impulse, but don't get the two confused and this is why you must be careful of small NGOs/Charities. Why are they running an orphanage ? Because there is a real problem of orphans, or because it makes them feel good to be helping orphans ? If the later wouldn't they be better off trying to get orphans in to the homes of their relatives (look at the recent Madonna issue !) and supporting the relatives ? Also ask 'where are they doing this ?', because this often answers the 'why ?' question. I've spent years in the cruddiest places in Africa and have rarely found small NGOs doing anything. Orphanage in rural Sudan, no way, orphanage in Nairobi, yup, you bettcha. I'm now in South Asia now and in Nepal I'm tripping over small 'NGO's' in Pokhara and Kathamndu (but again f**k all in the rural south, where the real poverty is).....

One last story. In Nepal I have been constantly told, when people find out I work here, and actually get paid quite well, "hey I'd love to work for an NGO, how do you get in to this kind of work". Well I tell them (long story I won't bore you with) and say you need to try to start as an unpiad volunteer, somewhere like south Sudan (where they can't recruit professional staff anymore) and then, after ten years hard work you might get the chance of somewhere like Nepal. As one they've all replied "oh no ......I'm not interested in working there, I want to work in Nepal", to which I've told them, well actually, you dont want to do the work I do then, you just want some one to pay for your holiday........
Well I said I wouldn't preach and........... er.....guess I did big time .

Shows what happens when you have too much time on your hands while sitting round for a s**ding visa in 40 degrees heat !

Excellent thread, I'm impressed and inspired with an idea or two. Although a bit surprised that I've yet to see anyone address what I see to be the root cause for the proliferation of NGOs in the first place.

Its western nations--the countries that most of us likely are citizens of--looting the resources (natural, human or otherwise) from the 3rd world. In other words, imperialism with the facade of benevolence. Its inequalities of power and the failure of western citizens--us--to hold our governments, our businesses and ourselves accountable for the corruption et al. that we are a part.

If we want to end 3rd world corruption a good start is to force our governments (US, UK, France, Russia, Germany etc...) to stop supporting corrupt, brutal officials who remain in power solely due to the coercive might of western military and economic power. It won't end all corruption but it will go a long way and its something we can actually affect as opposed to bitching about Mexican police (or your preferred corrupt authority).

My current vote for charities is the Middle Eastern Children's Alliance Middle East Children's Alliance*:*Index whom I hope to raise money for during my next ride. A look at their staff, board and advisers is a reassuring testament that they are doing the best they can, in my opinion of course.

It's great to read about so many people working on-the-ground, trying to make a difference. Kudos.

As a person who has worked both in aid office head quarters and in the field (most recently in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2007), I see both sides, good and bad. I see incredibly dedicated, hard-working, sincere people both at HQs and in the field, and I also see apathetic or greedy people in BOTH places -- in HQs *and* in the field. I get a little tired of "HQ bad, local staff always good" comments. Local corruption and local inefficiencies can be just as jaw-dropping as the acts of clueless HQ staff. I also get tired of the "local people don't have time for all this paperwork." What's being asked for is often quite minimal -- it's asked for to ensure credibility and transparency, something donors are hugely concerned with. I've worked with local NGOs, helping them to improve their administrative operations and reporting, and I tie it directly to serving local people better. Once they see the point, they "get" it almost immediately and understand just how easy it is to do.

I have been writing on the subject of how to help others abroad through volunteering or while traveling for a while now. Here's some things I've written, which I hope you find helpful:

transire benefaciendo: "to travel along while doing good." Advice for those wanting to make their travel more than sight-seeing and shopping, whether in your own country or abroad.

vetting organizations in other countries: how to know if a local organizations is "for real" and your donation is going to fund the NGO's activities to help others, the community, the environment, etc.

realities of volunteering abroad: This is especially for people in the "Western" world who want to volunteer in the developing world. I discuss your options and how to get the skills you need for this work.

Also, for any of you working with local NGOs in the developing world who want to know how to fund raise, I have a free guide. Anyone can write me at jc@coyotecommunications.com and just tell me the name of your NGO, the developing country where it works and just a little about what it does, and I'll send you the guide.

transire benefaciendo, everyone.

__________________
Jayne Cravens
CoyoteBroad

Thanks for the benefit of the doubt. It's appreciated. And yes, that is a sentiment of mine, though good 'intentions/road to hell' also figure large in my thoughts.

The example morinipete gave about the 20 Rothmans and a bottle of whiskey was a good one. Does the assaulted wife feel 'saved' I wonder? Perhaps her culture prevents her criticizing the one who's trying to help - or maybe she's just too kind to say - either way, the problem goes on.

Perhaps research into real consequences (and even asking permission?) is in order if I ever get an idea to help.

Thanks - and again, just my thoughts.

edit - apologies to everyone for some previous (now deleted) posts of mine.

__________________
I've a feeling I'm not in Kansas anymore.

It's a tricky topic and one full of ambiguities and hypocrisy. I have to say Morinipete has his feet on the ground, so to speak, and his educated observations have to be respected. Thanks MP for your insight, I learnt a lot. As previously mentioned, I attended a charitable event in aid of Vietnam's land mine victims and was astonished to learn that the locals were being charged the same entry fee as the ex-pats? That's equivalent to a week's wages for some. The thing I wanted to say was that this is an open forum, we don't always agree and an individual's opinions have to be respected, whether you find them insulting or not. Personally, I've changed my views on some things but not all. I wish I knew more. This is an interesting topic, please continue.

OK, firstly Teflon, thanks for the PM, appreciated although I missed all the posts as I was in Cote d'Ivoire & Senegal at the time and not logging in!!!

Interestingly whilst I was in Senegal I met up with a personal representative of the CI President. I was introduced, not in my professional capacity but as someone who is actively involved with a centre of children; luckily this has added massive value to my professional role!!!

We talked in depth about the needs of Cote d'Ivoire's street, trafficked & orphaned children and the future that we'd both like to see.

Neither of us talked about the large NGO's out there, but more about what we could do on a personal scale. This for me was refreshing and I've been looking for someone in CI to help out on a project I want to start on the Abidjan - Lagos corridor.

My whole point of this thread was to make some people out there who are off on a trip, not to have their pay pal button/just giving button for the 'big' guys but look at what can be done & started on a small scale!

Thanks!

Kira

Hi just a quickie. I'm trying to send a private pm to a question by Mikb8man on this string, but it doesn't seem to be going ????? As such if you see this Mike send an email address.
Cheers
Pete

Hey, I completely agree with Kyra about the frustration of reaching out to people. I volunteer fund raise / try to raise the profile of a very small NGO I found working in Tajikistan. The are a very small charity, no head office, no paid marketing, fundraisers, etc. It was set up by a Brit and a Tajik - both who worked for large charities and thought they could do a better job. With investment by the Tajik and an input of their own funds they built a school - and now the Brit runs it. He's got no time to fundraise - it is always on a knife edge - and yet the work they are doing there against all odds is increadible. In a country like Tajikistan, education really appears to be the best thing for people and knowing that he has no funds he has tried to set it up as sustainable as possible - rich kids who want to learn pay fees, which pays for the teachers and the poor kids get free lessons. Add on top all the other stuff they teach and try to do, and it is an amazing NGO. BUT, because it is almost a one man band - he doesn't have the time to fundraise, he lives in the school (even though it has no proper running water, no air con, no fridge, etc), and he deals with it - for 7 years! I have so much respect for people who are living 'out there' - who are essentially doing the hard work. I was going to travelling and wanted to find a really small charity in the poorest place i was going to. I found this charity and got a wish list off them. After visiting, after meeting the kids, after everything - I feel compelled to try and help them. I think it would be a travesty if it was allowed to fail - simply because people don't know it exists so they won't/can't support it. Tajikistan is a destination more people are starting to think about visiting - if people want to find a cause, learn more, have a break, teach some english, etc, they can visit - they don't get special treatment - it is just a working school, but it is still a brilliant experience.
Myself and a friend have set up a rally and we, like Kyra are hoping that through that we will be able to get a minibus donated to the school - because they want to be able to take the kids out on day trips. So far it is actually looking promising on that front! We also figured - having no money ourselves - that it was the best way of raising a significant amount of money for them. So far...its a work in progress but its getting there...
Based on my experience I cannot say that I think small charities are not up to much. I've spent enough time at the school over two years and cannot fault anything - other than their sad lack of support.
I met a lady on the train this week, who's best friend works for the French Red Cross in North East Congo. She is a one woman band training nurses, setting up a program for a hospital there, and is the only westerner. She needs everything - bandages, glasses, etc. It is her friend - who doesn't work for an NGO who campaigns to get her these things, and also raised the money to get her a flight back (I don't know what the Red Cross is doing there as she doesn't seem to have any support). It is people like that - amazing people who need to be supported. Apparently that lady always knew she was going to work out in the Congo and although shes already had malaria and typhoid she loves it - as it is her calling. She isn't an aid worker who is doing it for a job, someone who has to get posted somewhere they don't really like first to go up the ladder - she is doing it for all the right reasons. There is so much wrong with NGOs and I find it fraustrating - so much money gets wasted, and I can think of so many things I want to get involved in to help, but I can't!