How to engage in charity, not getting to the tricks of swindlers
Tips / / December 19, 2019
I did not want to write this article because I think immodest to talk about any charity "successes." I sincerely believe that if you do something good, then this should be done not for the sake of PR and promotion, but for the sake of the internal sense of happiness that you feel when you help.
But over time, I started to apply more and more people with questions about how to recognize scams in charity and what it takes to start a charitable way.
So I decided to write an article and all later send it. Although for me is still a mystery why many people, including strangers, trust me its money and ask my advice in such an intimate question, as a charity.
Just want to say that I am not a millionaire, and very often for charitable endeavors spend only 20-50 dollars a month. Sometimes more. Sometimes I can do something good at the expense of their time and their knowledge, all without spending any money.
After all, it is important not the sum - important action and motivation. I believe that you can help others, even if very modest income you have. To some extent it is even better to do when a modest income, because then the assistance is more weight. Well, the mechanisms of the universe you already know: what goes around, comes around.
I understand that those sums and questions, which I will cover in this article to someone may seem insignificant, but it is my experience, and I hope that it will be valuable for at least part of the readers.
I believe that in order to get someone to help, do not wait for perfect conditions or the presence of a lot of money, because this moment might never come. While habits, including charities, it is necessary to impart to the youth.
I never planned to systematically engage in charity, not charity events planned. Most often this is happening somehow emotionally, impulsively, and in many cases, action awareness occurred much later than the very act.
Therefore, there were mistakes and obvious stupidity. I want to share them with you so that you can avoid them. Because I firmly believe that we must help those in need, rather than line the pockets of fraudsters.
Therefore, I will first share my negative experience, and then talk about what worked for me.
Different types of scams
1. Collecting money in the box (boxed shares)
Now it is very often at traffic lights young people collect money from motorists to charity. Most often it is the treatment of children from severe ailments.
I gave money to several times, but then I have begun to question. Where the money goes and whether or not they go to the stated objectives? Why are young people involved in fundraising? After all, in the age of 16-22 years, priorities often directed not to help others.
I began to learn. Make it was not difficult, because most of the guys in the robes are written the names of the funds. And it emerged not very pleasant news.
First, the guys who collect money, often receive a percentage of the funds. Sometimes the reward can be up to 20-30%. It's a bit embarrassing moment. After all, I gave money to treat the child, rather than buying a new iPhone or an evening "pivasik" for unemployed student.
But this is not the most sad. The sad thing is that sometimes the funds applied for on the T-shirt, did not exist or they do not have those shares, under which collect the money. Even worse was when detects that the money went to the purchase of new cars, apartments and other rubbish to the creators of "Fund" and their relatives.
Similar boxed stock you can see not only at intersections. Very often, fundraising is conducted in retail outlets: stores, pharmacies.
And, of course, one of the initiators of such actions there are many honest funds which did make it, what claimed. But as they are uniquely determined within 30 seconds, standing at a traffic light or in front of the cash register, I do not understand why in such actions, I stopped to take part. There are other alternatives, so I'm not worried that something lost.
By the way, I think you all know where such actions went: every church is a box for donations. But no one in the temples specifically to help others does not collect - all the money going mainly for the construction of temples.
But where do they go really, you might realize on the road, "Mercedes", "holy" fathers and their endangered expensive watches. I do not understand how you can give all the money to those who did not should to the teachings of others, but that's another story.
2. Shares in social networks
I think that each of you had seen the posts on social networks that "urgently need help... details to transfer funds... thanks for the repost."
Yes, if such a position does your friend and you are sure you can help, and your friend confirms that the money will really go to a good cause, it is a great option!
But very often there is a flurry of similar posts from strangers with a very touching story that all repost, even without checking the information.
Have you ever tried to call the phone numbers that are listed in these positions? Think before you repost or send money, you must not be lazy at least do this.
Very often on the other side of the phone start to tell something not very intelligible in response to your "in-depth" questions. And sometimes it happens that even with your phone to withdraw money, since it appears that the phone number, which you call fee.
Although this became less frequent, as, probably, it creates some strained for operators and service providers, when they begin to receive complaints from losing money.
So try very carefully filter information from social networks and do not rush to send money on these details in the post.
Do not hesitate to call and clarify the information, ask questions. I actually also used to suffer from this disease - feel free to ask questions. It seemed to me that it is wrong to ask someone who is in trouble. I was wrong, and now I do not hesitate to do it.
If you start asking questions, you may find that you can help not only with money, but more in any way. For example, consult a good doctor, who once helped you solve these problems. Or suggest some kind of a cheap solution for the associated problems: transport, transfer money, food, accommodation and the like.
If as a result of the call, you begin to feel that you are lying, then as a test can provide intangible assistance.
You just say:
I have a good doctor friend to help cope with your problem for less money, and I will help you pay for his services.
Very often on these words the conversation ends with the other party hangs up.
If a person is interested in and starts with you to make an appointment and you realize that he is really needs your help, then you can just apologize and admit that they had to say about the doctor because they do not trust.
Then you can send money or provide other assistance, as at this point you should have no doubt about it. Of course, this does not guarantee 100% that your money will be used for a good purpose, but significantly increases the chances of success.
3. Beggars in the subway, in the junctions, railway stations, restaurants,
Once, when I was a teenager, I was waiting for the train at the railway station. I was approached by some little boy gypsy appearance, fell at his feet and began to kiss my shoes, begging for alms.
It was unbearable! I gave him the money was not in order to help him, but only for the sake of it just stopped doing it. But as my train was not soon, I had the opportunity to watch this kid.
A similar operation kissing boots, he did a few more times with other people, and every time he got the money. After that, the boy just came to the food stalls (and you know what the price of food to station) and bought his sneakers, Coca-Cola and even some sweets, ate and went on to kiss his feet.
Besides, every time he got the money. During those 30 minutes, I watched him closely, he managed to collect more money than me at that time gave parents for a month.
Another situation I happened relatively recently, but it was no less significant. In the winter I was riding the subway (I'm not a big fan of digging cars out of the snow, its heating and other "joys" of winter driving in our latitudes, so it is very often in the winter go by metro). AND In the underground I saw my grandmother, who was sitting on a bench in the corner and cried. I walked over and asked what happened. My grandmother told me a very touching story that she had health problems and that her no money do not want to take to the hospital.
Issue price was only $ 60, but they are, in fact, depended on this man's life. I gave her even more than was necessary. I thought it better that she remain extra for meals and other expenses. To me, this woman seemed very unhappy and sick, and I was glad I could help her.
A couple of weeks after that I happened to see the grandmother, who was somewhere very happy and cheerful. It was not a shadow of the disease, which she told me on the subway, and that they could be cured in the hospital for a short period of time, it was also impossible.
I realized that I was deceived, and began deeply interested in the question. I learned that very often in the underground trades in the whole system band of beggars, grandmothers, children and cripples.
While I know myself that it is necessary to ask more questions, communicate more, but in this case with my grandmother I was hooked history, and I lost my rational component, than as a result helped the fraudsters.
I also have a negative attitude to the young people who go to restaurants and other catering and ask for money. In this there is a very subtle psychological moment, which can hit people.
For example, you have just started dating a girl and came to some fast food restaurant or a snack with her. Then you fit guy, a little dirty, and asks for money to buy food. Looks at you girl, and of course you want to appear in a positive light (well, as the alpha male is) and give money. I have often watched like.
If at beggars to ask: "What you do not find a job? You're young and strong, "that they always have a stock answer like this:" I do not have a passport, "" to raise money for a ticket home, "and the like.
But more often it is a lie. I tried to offer a job to these guys without a passport and other documents - they are no longer just ask and go.
And a special class of beggars - those who ask for tickets at railway stations and bus stations. Of course, there really are people who need help, and I was able to find such.
But very often, even if you buy individual tickets, and deliver them into the hands of, you can find them that ask him at the same place after the date of dispatch of the train ...
The conclusion is simple: do not give money to the subway, transitions, and other public places, as there often are professionals. If unsure, it is best to chat with someone, ask additional questions.
4. Invalids and cripples who demonstrate their "defects"
It can not give any money. Believe me, there are some professionals. How much do I communicate with them either, could not find one who would be standing somewhere in a public place, and the system was not a beggar.
Besides the demonstration of its damage in the clear itself requires some psychological changes... It is very unpleasant to look at it, but it is not necessary for it take place.
5. Mother beggars with young children
Have you ever noticed that the children in the hands of mothers begging never cry? I am a father myself, and remember well the first two years of their child and those rare moments when he was calm during the day and gave the rest to his parents.
And then, no matter how you will pass in the same place sits a woman with a child 1-3 years old, and he is asleep or is in a strange state of trance-like.
You can look for more information on this issue. I was interested in, and it turned out that most of the child is under the influence of drugs.
If all stop giving money in this matter, it is hoped that the children will no longer pump. If you see mother, that you really want to help, you can always talk to her, to find out more about ...
Conclusions of everything that did not work:
- If people are unfamiliar, do not be lazy to check the information, ask additional questions, call.
- If a person asks in the street, especially in a public place, then beware: often they are professional beggars.
- Do not support people who commit unethical acts, as in the example of a mother with a small child, drugged.
I am sure that you will be able to supplement in the comments of my own negative words charity case. But do not forget that I have given them only in order to help you recognize scams, not to prove that all asylum - crooks.
Very often among those who need a really honest people who need help, just to identify them is difficult, but possible. Now I will share those case studies that have worked for me.
People who need help
1. retirees
I have some sort of fad in relation to pensioners, as I often help to them. Perhaps it happened because most of their vacations I spent in the village from their grandparents. I will never forget their kindness, caring and wonderful cakes.
I think not even worth talking about, that pensioners are living very difficult. If you try to live on those pensions which are at the Russian pensioners, Ukraine and other former Soviet countries, you will realize how hard it is. A rare exception, perhaps, the people of Belarus, as all the people I meet there, telling me stories about the incredible high pensions. But I myself have not been to Belarus, so I can not confirm from their own experience. Maybe someone from Belarus will be able to tell in the comments.
Two special groups of retirees who need help:
- lonely, especially if the pensioner lives alone;
- seniors with problem children: alcoholics, drug addicts, and so on.
Pensioners with troubled children often do not need financial support and psychological, as well as assistance in resolving problems.
But I have no personal positive experience, since man in the street is difficult to influence the relationships that were formed long period of time.
I've seen several cases where pensioners even beat their children and took all pension. Stories about the seizure of apartments, I'm sure, for you are also not new.
By the way, I'm sure it's a great area for lawyers - legal aid seniors in real estate matters. Because most of these questions there is no one to protect them. Yes, I know that is a function of the state, but you can imagine ...
But to help a lonely retired couple or a single pensioner, you can very simply. You can even make it your good habit.
Define these grandparents very simple. Most often, they are very old clothes, but try to follow her: a lot of time for hemming, make a patch and the like. These people are very difficult to ask, and often they do not. They just survive as they can, and to save on everything. And we can help them.
Simple examples from my experience:
1. Once at the pharmacy I met my grandmother, who simply did not have enough money for medicine. I stood behind her in the queue. She did not ask, do not beg. She just dropped her head and hands and everything drooping toward the exit. I have paid all of her medications and gave money. I understand that it is a bit, but it's something simple that I could then do. And I'm sure that if so will still at least a couple of people, the life of the grandmother's become a little easier.
2. Once on the market, I bought tomatoes lots of tomatoes. And nearby was a grandmother and a crate of crushed tomatoes (those that are cheaper) selects one (!!!). She took one tomato!
I asked why she took only one. She answered me honestly that she had no more money. She did not lie and did not ask, she did not play. She was honest with me, and somehow I felt it.
I said to myself it was gaining as much food as it sees fit, and I'll pay for all of them. And the first time I saw genuine fear. She was afraid of me, afraid that I deceived her or osmeyu.
She was so scared that took one more tomato (!!!). I can not tell you what happened inside me. It was something like a bomb, which blew my whole value system.
I am a young, engaged in all sorts of technical pieces, starts the project, and then next is also a man, and she is afraid that I can refuse her into buying more than one tomato.
I go to restaurants, and the woman who worked all his life (and pensioners it is always good to be seen on the palms and posture), can not afford to buy food.
I bought it as much food as it climbed into the truck, and even gave money. But was this story and another important point.
Tomatoes that day were sold in the market only one woman, who had a very bad reputation: it weight wrong and lied, was always dissatisfied and constantly grumbled.
Well, you know how it is on markets close to home: when to keep buying, then all already know and try some to take nothing. So this was a saleswoman of those "some".
But since the tomatoes that day were just her, and wife said that we should buy them a lot, then this whole thing happened in a shop that would-be saleswoman.
And you will not believe. All products that I bought for my grandmother, this saleswoman considered me a huge discount (some up to 30-40%). Imagine the collapse of all my templates from this situation.
First, a grandmother with two tomatoes, then a person with a negative reputation does an incredible action, and I do not even ask.
Many want to help, but just do not know how.
But to help pensioners can not only at a pharmacy or at the market. For example, I just walk up, ask about life and give a little bit of money.
And very often their reaction shocked me. Sometimes they start to cry. Sometimes fall on their knees and begin to pray to God for me... I did not ask and they always stop.
I'm not for it helps them. I just wish that their life was a little easier, because I always imagine their place of your favorite grandparents. And I do not want to imagine their life in such need.
Once again, I stress that I cite these examples not to put himself in a good light or gain positive comments in his address. I just want to show that to help a needy person is very simple. Especially if it is retired.
Yes, you may find it difficult to give money to someone who you do not ask about it. At least to me it was very difficult to do this for the first time.
Also has its own characteristics in dealing with these people: they do not expect anything from you, and young people they see a greater danger than the possible assistance. So sometimes they can get away from the conversation with you.
But you do not worry if you do not get. There will always be a second chance, a third, a fourth... By the way, some may deny you and, in fact many of them have very strong moral upbringing and simply can not take someone else's.
Take a closer look, perhaps next to you live lonely pensioners. Or you can meet them on the market, in a shop or pharmacy. This is a great chance to do something very good.
2. Participation in service projects, volunteering
Charity - is not only charities, because there is a very large number of other organizations that make people's lives better.
For example, I joined the International emergency services and tried his best to help the organization, because it was convinced that they really work for the people doing it on their own free will and is free.
Next to you may be a lot of useful organizations that need volunteers willing to devote a couple of hours of your time a good cause. It is also charity.
So even if you have no spare cash, you can still do a lot of good. You only need to find the direction that you like best, and act!
3. Help government agencies
Controversial area, as no one wants to help government agencies, because they know that the work there effectively been established and a lot of steals. But our task is not to criticize the system, and to help specific people.
I'll tell you a simple example. In a hospice for cancer patients, nurses call the system broke down. Imagine a cancer patient in the last stages, in which, for example, ends up being an analgesic action and which can not call the nurse ...
Very many of these patients are difficult to move, some can not even speak. Of course, we can say that the state should take care of this problem. But the most important question in this case is whether or not people have to lie in a hospice, to suffer before everything will be fixed? I think not.
For this case, my friends and I came up with a simple solution: buy restaurant's waiters system call. You know, these buttons are wireless, which usually lie on a table in the restaurant and by which cause the waiters.
These buttons we tied the straps and gave patients the hospice. Those hung them around his neck, and when there is a problem, they could always call the nurse.
The company, which we sold this system, has done an incredible discount and sell it without any extra charge. This once again confirms my thesis that people want to help others, but do not know how.
And if you can offer a simple idea or a simple tool that many will participate. The most important thing in this example is that we have helped individual patients who needed help, and did not wait for the state will solve this problem. But it was easier to criticize the officials, is not it?
Government agencies, which you can help a lot. I think you can see for yourself how the system works effectively. If you help her to get a little better, then many people will be a little easier.
At this my experience is exhausted. I understand that it does not cover even a hundredth part of all possible options on how we can make the world a better place. So I ask you in the comments to share your experience, how to simply and effectively do good.
Finally a few questions that may help you get started:
- What if I buy iPhone 6 is not now, but after a few months, when it will cost $ 100 cheaper, and they spend $ 100 to a charity?
- Maybe I should once a month does not go to a restaurant and give the savings single pensioners?
- Maybe I should share surplus food with the pensioner, who lives on my porch?
- What good can I do tomorrow?
- How can I make someone's life better?
Thank you for having mastered such a great article. I would be grateful for your views in the comments.