I have asked this before - hoping for a wider range of answers this time.
What is the best way to use a charitable donation - less to more, or more to fewer?
A rather simplistic scenario:
In a developing country, X amount of money will support 25 children up to the end of secondary school OR 10 children up to the end of secondary school plus a vocational course.
Which of the two ways might be the best way to use the money?
2007-02-21 06:27:21 · 7 answers · asked by abetterfate 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I think the first option of the two is the best - whilst a vocational qualification is very useful for the smaller number, just finishing secondary school can be a big deal in the developing world (my own experience is in East Africa).
The more people who benefit the better - you are giving these children a real chance in life, and the more people you give a chance to the better. A good education is the best help one can give to a child I liked Lauren's comment about "paying it forward" - it is not just the individual who will benefit, but their families and countries. In many developing countries this is especially true for girls - which is why I applaud what Oprah Winfrey has done.
Another way to make the point is to compare the long-term difference Oprah has begun, compared with the fashion-accessory selfishness of Madonna.
Like PAM, I am a disappointed by the selfishness of the first answer - and even the fifth answer, while agreeing with my view, seems to be thinking a little too much of her own needs (the US is the richest country in the world - it should be able to look after its own people).
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2007-02-21 09:15:19 · answer #1 · answered by GJ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The first option - definitely - for the same reasons as given by Lauren Z, PAM, and GJ. The 25 may each get less overall support, but the long-term effects will be spread much more widely. GJ has put it very well, and I also like Lauren's "pay[ing] it forward" phrase.
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2007-02-22 11:34:39 · answer #2 · answered by Plum 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well... I would give suport to the 25 kids.... the more kids that get a education, the better.
10 really smart kids is a good thing, but 25 well educated kids can do SO much more in the long run (like pay it forward- the more people you help, the more they can help)
Good luck! :)
2007-02-21 14:36:29 · answer #3 · answered by Lauren Z 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'm with Lauren on this: educating a larger number would be a better use of the funding - at least they will have the basic education they will need to move on to bigger things later.
(the first two people have not actually understood your question at all; and the one below me, while sharing my view, seems to have missed the point somewhat - and clearly has issues of her own to deal with).
2007-02-21 14:55:58 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I give less to more, mainly because I don't want a charity thinking that I have a ton of money and feels that it can hit me up any time it needs more.
If I had more money, I'd choose a few favorites and give a bundle to them, and sprinkle the rest.
2007-02-21 14:33:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Foster Youth in America, such as myself need more support so they can fulfill the potential they have and not be judged by people that say "stop whining"...come on now, putting yourself thru college is hard; studying, financial aid, transportation. Not having a social support system makes it 10x more difficult. I say less to more; nobody should be selected over someone else; we are all in need.
2007-02-21 15:07:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
Charity begins at home.
2007-02-21 14:30:40 · answer #7 · answered by bpgveg14 5 · 0⤊ 4⤋