Follow up on Blog Action Day

Blog Action Day was a success. I'll admit that in comparison, my efforts looked a little bit slap and dash, so I think it's time for a follow up.

Blog Action Day this year was about bringing light to the plight of the poor worldwide. In today's economic conditions combined with increasing food prices, they are especially vulnerable to diseases and hunger. It's always a bit of a downer when you're eating and you think, "I could feed a family in Somalia for the price of this meal". It doesn't make you a bad person if you don't, but the fact is that we all have the power to help the needy and make a difference in their lives. My Blog Action Day entry was aimed at helping Malaysians do exactly just that.

There are several things that prevent Malaysians from trying to make a difference, for which we can't blame them. These factors are:

1. The level of corruption in Malaysia. The perception becomes, "If I contribute RM1.00, it won't make it to the intended beneficiaries because it will be embezzled/used to pay off somebody." This perception also exists for countries such as India, Cambodia, and others throughout the world.
2. So many people are contributing so much more money. They don't need mine.
3. Why should I help someone in a different country when there are so many Malaysians who need help?
4. It's the government's job to look after the poor.
5. There are so many success stories where people born into poverty have made a life for themselves. The poor are just too lazy to help themselves.

Let's address the issues:

1. It's true, the level of corruption in Malaysia is quite high and the resulting mistrust is based on very real concerns. However, this shouldn't prevent trying to help. To ensure your contributions really go to those who need it, do your research. Google is a powerful tool. Bring the contributions to the needy yourself. Many local charitable bodies welcome visits and volunteers. This is the ideal way to ensure your contributions are used properly. You could also insist on some level of transparency, i.e. receipts or reports. World Vision produces annual audited reports. Charitable bodies are just as responsible to their donors as they are to their tenants.
2. 25,000 people die everyday of hunger or hunger-related causes. Still think they don't need help?
3. Many people prefer to help the poor closer to their own homes, than in other countries such as Africa. It's certainly true that charity begins at home, and every effort helps. No one should be scorned because of this preference.
4. This is true, and the governments of Africa are certainly not doing a very good job. In Malaysia, it seems that more money is being spent on frivolous things like a spaceman. Nevertheless, while the responsibility lies with the government to help its people, the democratic government is a reflection of its people.
5. Hunger leads to a weak body that is unable to work as effectively. Poverty leads to children as young as 6 years old forgoing an education to help feed the family. Poverty entraps people in a Poverty Trap, a very real situation that is well documented, and prevents the poor from pulling themselves out. All they need, though, is a bit of help to break the cycle. In 1976, Muhammad Yunus began providing small amounts of capital to poor Bangladeshis so that those who wished to start a business did not have to depend on loan sharks who would ultimately lead to their bankruptcy.

Sometimes, it really is as easy as buying books for poor children, or ensuring that a child is fed to make a difference.