Comic Relief - thoughts

[yorkie_chris]

The old phrase "if ya can't feed em, don't breed em" rings true.

There was one bit about eye clinics for rural villages which I liked, those communities are mostly self sufficient. I had a small hand in a project to raise some money to dig a borehole in north of Kenya in a place called Turkana, that seemed to make sense, a borehole becomes a center of trade for the area and helps the local economy along a little bit.

A lot of things we/charities do, while with the best of intentions just seem hollow. Band aid on a bullet wound. As others say there's no point saving the lives of children who have no future, sad as it is, it makes things worse.

[keith_d]

I'll add one more post, then I'll STFU.

In some African countries, children are a measure of wealth. So increasing the number of surviving children means the parents are seen as 'rich' by local standards. The fact that there aren't enough resources to support those children when they become adults isn't a consideration. One of my friends from South Africa observed that they have a really short-term mentality there too. If you gave someone £1000, they wouldn't save any in case the rains didn't come next year. They would spend it immediately on a car, or a TV.

It's been fifteen years since Band Aid, but it seems like the number of people in poverty is still rising and it's only a matter of time until the next famine strikes central Africa. Unless there's a sea change in people's attitudes I have a horrible feeling that Thomas Malthus might be proved right after all, at least in Africa.


P.S. Just found this article: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-pay-guns.html

[pookie]

I think there is a valid point in education to stop the cycle, with the 474.95 million by red nose day since 1997 ( wikipedia + 76 m from this year) the problems still remain the same.

What I question is why their own governments aren't providing the basic necessities for their citizens. I'm sure they import and buy from the west so should pressure be made from top down to try and stop the cycle.

I may be cynical about where the money actually goes but I feel good when I donate money to charities I choose and hate it when I am made to feel bad when I choose not to ( akin to corporate mugging).

Originally Posted by The Idle Biker

Then I find myself hating Davina Macall as usual and fancying Miranda, what is going on, this show is screwing with my mind.

Davina was either p1ssed or emotionally overcome by the films.

As for fancying Miranda..... do you like Gummy Bears in yer trifle?