I am very worried about the possible REVERSED effect it could have - when there is simply too much talk about poverty and need. I am wondering if you are also one of the people who simply had had enough already!
Everyone struggle (though relatively) with their own life's issues. There is a real possibility that the combination of corrupt social agencies, desensitizing due to overload of information on poverty and lack of information may result in good people turning away from helping. As a development practitioner, this really worries me. Should it? Your thoughts? Any ideas?
2006-07-23 05:45:11 · 10 answers · asked by MeerKatje 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
The lack of information I refer to, is on credible causes and accountable change interventions. There is enough information about poverty itself, I believe.
2006-07-23 05:47:06 · update #1
Most people are sick of hearing about it until it happens to them.
2006-07-23 06:53:54 · answer #1 · answered by Missy 3 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I'm sorry major misfortune is inconveniencing you. Sure there's corruption in organizations providing poverty relief, but I'm more worried about people who aren't aware that poverty is a real life situation. The entire global community needs to be informed and made aware of the truths of life that others experience. Yes everyone has their own battles and hardship is relative, but there's never a shortage of empathy and compassion. Try rephrasing your question if you mean something different.
2006-07-23 05:57:14 · answer #2 · answered by scastro114 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What's the alternative? Save it for annual telethons?
If we are bombarded by so many other messages each day because advertisers believe we must see their product/brand X times before we buy, maybe the same applies to the ills of the world.
It does wear a bit on people to see flies pitching on the bald, oversized head of a child with hollow eyes and distended stomach, but if that causes a kid to volunteer to go do missionary work for a year to make a difference then so be it.
I doubt that I'll ever give money to aid organizations because of some of the issues that you've mentioned, however I try to do my part by remaining sensitized as I travel and returning with stories. I try to fight poverty in my own country by selling craft items. I try to encourage friends, co-workers and neighbours to think of the beautiful mountain that their coffee came from and how difficult it must be to work at that all day.
I try to encourage travel abroad and cultural exchanges, especially of the young and impressionable and the wealthy, because nothing sensitizes someone like looking into someone eyes and recognizing a friend (regardless of origin, language, etc) and when that friend is far poorer than you, then you bet that you're gonna share.
I think that immigrants (many of whom send a lot of money home to fight that poverty) should try to include and educate new members of their communities at appropirate times. Everyone should also be looking at poverty in their own communities (not just overseas) because I've seen horrible examples of poverty in the U.S. and U.K. as well as in third world countries. You just have to fight it wherever you see it. Take a break when you get burnt out. Then go back at it again.
2006-07-23 05:59:11 · answer #3 · answered by xamayca.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem with the issue is that the people like Bono and others are living in Utopia. They feel that we should just throw money at the issue and it will go away. The problem is the government of these countries. Many are corrupt and factional. They only want to help their factions. The common people are left to starve. Many dictators and authoritarian rulers use hunger and starvation to force people to toe the line.
The solution to this issue is very complex and is not likely to be solved however good the intentions are.
2006-07-23 05:53:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the real reason im sick about hearing about it is that very few people in the world actually understand what causes most of the worlds poverty, and even fewer have the power to actually change the conditions that cause it...and even fewer than that have the will to change it...my thoughts are that your right its corruption on many levels that will never remedy the problem....and just feeding them and giving them things only compounds the problem for the future.
2006-07-23 05:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like love, compassion is endless. Good people will never stop helping and being concerned. Like hate, greed is endless. Bad people will never stop exploiting good people. You can only do your own personal best.
2006-07-23 05:49:12 · answer #6 · answered by Quester 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i'm sick of that and the ccf stuff. what about in our cities and country
2006-07-23 05:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by daniel j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah u have a point!
2006-07-23 06:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by ur_4eva_amiga 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be more worried if I didn't hear about it.
2006-07-23 05:48:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
yep but its there sorry
2006-07-23 05:47:33 · answer #10 · answered by Harold T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋