You wrote:

“Also, why the hatred toward non-domestic charities? I send the majority of my charitable donations overseas to places like Senegal, Cambodia, and Peru. I would consider more giving overseas to be a GOOD thing, in hopes that maybe Americans are earning a better world view.”

I also make a substantial portion of my “charity contributions” to foreign aid. In fact, private citizens in the U.S. combined, if my source is correct, give more money to foreign aid than the government. We just need to be mindful to give it to responsible organizations that do not enable the problem they attempt to solve.

Your comments are right on target! Thank you for revealing the big picture. I especially love your comment about ascertaining why a specific population has “forgotten how to fish in the first place.” Kudos, and thanks for your assumption that these peoples can find the initiative to solve their own problems, if given the opportunity. Not all can without substantial aid, but like the example of the micro-loan programs in South America, many people can use the aid they get to create vital cottage industries to support their families and communities. Fair trade organizations do the same thing, which is why I only buy Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, and anything else I can find. There is much we can do to support the planet through informed consumerism, which we should all be doing.

Anytime you can get middle schoolers interested in writing, the means justify the end. As a middle school Language Arts teacher, I think this program is fabulous. We need more of them.

You wrote:

“Also, why the hatred toward non-domestic charities? I send the majority of my charitable donations overseas to places like Senegal, Cambodia, and Peru. I would consider more giving overseas to be a GOOD thing, in hopes that maybe Americans are earning a better world view.”

I also make a substantial portion of my “charity contributions” to foreign aid. In fact, private citizens in the U.S. combined, if my source is correct, give more money to foreign aid than the government. We just need to be mindful to give it to responsible organizations that do not enable the problem they attempt to solve.

Your comments are right on target! Thank you for revealing the big picture. I especially love your comment about ascertaining why a specific population has “forgotten how to fish in the first place.” Kudos, and thanks for your assumption that these peoples can find the initiative to solve their own problems, if given the opportunity. Not all can without substantial aid, but like the example of the micro-loan programs in South America, many people can use the aid they get to create vital cottage industries to support their families and communities. Fair trade organizations do the same thing, which is why I only buy Fair Trade coffee and chocolate, and anything else I can find. There is much we can do to support the planet through informed consumerism, which we should all be doing.

Anytime you can get middle schoolers interested in writing, the means justify the end. As a middle school Language Arts teacher, I think this program is fabulous. We need more of them.