Broke really?

Posted by SMM on 14:52

We earn 5 - figure salaries today. We willingly spend 200 bucks for a movie ticket, another 200 bucks for coke and pop corn. We buy dresses for 10000 and shoes for 5000. We happily spend a minimum of 2000 bucks per head on a Saturday night party.

Yet on being asked to make a donation for a minimum amount of Rs. 800 for a charitable purpose, most of us end up pleading that we'r broke.

Two movies foregone by you could mean a year's education for a child.

One dress foregone and you could sponsor the education of 5 children for a sum of only Rs.6000/-.

Think about it. Missing one movie or not buying one dress is not the end of the world - but for that child it could mean everything. That child might even turn out to be the second Einstein if given a chance - and if not given a chance, just another child on the road with a bowl in his hand. Empower the child of today. Send in your cheque.

For more information go here.

17 Comments

Arjun says:

9 September 2008 at 15:44

yes - you're right!!!

I did my good deed for the day... went to ICICI bank and donated for BIHAR!!!

SMM says:

9 September 2008 at 15:52

I donated to CRY

Anonymous says:

9 September 2008 at 17:26

Oh well.. I do my monthly charity. Little good deeds :P

Moi excused, I think.

But a very nice way to spread the message across. And you know if there's one thing that would motivate people, then it would help if there was more transparency instead of just donating and not knowing who benefited from it. Could be a kid, a village, some group, whatever it may be.

Utopia says:

9 September 2008 at 17:45

sigh! i known exactly what ya mean. think we are too selfish, all of us.

Solitaire says:

9 September 2008 at 19:08

This is very true. Yet, for us, our luxuries come first. I think when people say they are broke when it comes to a donation, they are thinking about not being able to forego that one luxury for that month.

Anu says:

9 September 2008 at 22:10

I totally agree. We think so much about giving to charity, but dont think a minute when we drop money on a night out . I donated to Shankara eye foundation , but looking at CRY now, thanks for the link :)!

Keshi says:

10 September 2008 at 06:26

this is such a thought-provoking post SMM. I loved it. Not many ppl wud even stop to think abt it. And u wrote such an inspiring and encouraging post on it, and that means alot.

**Missing one movie or not buying one dress is not the end of the world - but for that child it could mean everything

well-said!

Im doing my bit...I dun like to say it in the open cos some ppl think it's boasting n bragging. So Im silent on that one. But I know I've done, am doing and will be doing my bit always.

TY for this post! U've done ur bit too...by educating ppl and remiding them abt it.

*HUGZ*

Keshi.

Keshi says:

10 September 2008 at 06:26

And u 2 seem to be the most compassionate and generous couple I've come across recently. Lovely!

Keshi.

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 09:10

J, I prefer giving to agencies like CRY or an NGO, because I feel that the money does actually reach the people it is intended for instead of getting lost in the red tape and cuts of various middle men

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 09:13

Exactly my point Utopia - but are we really so selfish that we have everything, and yet we can't give a little to help someone who has nothing. Sad isin't it?

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 09:14

Solitaire: That's exactly what I'm saying. Missing one movie or not buying one pair of shoes is not the end of the world. Unfortunately not many people understand that

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 09:16

Anu: thanks for checking out the link. This guy who came to my office is an engineering student who is working with CRY during his vacations and was telling me how all his friends laughed at him for wasting his time. What also does hurt is that when asked to make a small contribution people make excuses like "Oh we donate to that charity and this charity" when it is so obvious that they don't actually and are just making excuses to get out of giving some money

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 09:18

Keshi: Thanks :)

There is one category of people who do their thing and remain silent while there is another category of people who do nothing but boast about a paltry contribution made ten years back and think that suffices for the rest of their lives.

And Thanks again :)

Keshi says:

10 September 2008 at 13:07

haha true SMM!

Keshi.

SMM says:

10 September 2008 at 13:09

Oh and I forgot the third category Keshi - those who say they contribute but actually don't :P

Raven says:

13 September 2008 at 23:10

Well said. I have been missing you at wordzzles. I really have to fix my sidebar so that I remember to visit people and so it reflects better the sites blogs that I'm connected to. Just one of those things I keep procrastinating about doing. Hope all is well with you.

APOO says:

15 September 2008 at 00:49

I think more people would donat if they knew the money was actually going to that cause and not in the hands of some corrupt middle person.

Nevertheless, thats a thought-provoking post.