Birthday Charity Pledge Discussion Area

aloiseb

I don't know any of this for sure, but I should think that there might perhaps be some kind of funding or subsidy involved somewhere. e.g. The panel-building company may well have an agreement with the government of the country involved, or there may be match-funding (a bit like British PRI arrangements for building new schools)....there are lots of perfectly reasonable possiblities!

World Vision who have sorted out the project would no doubt be able to give an answer to anyone with an interest.

Also, it's unlikely workers at the scene would get paid at the same kind of rates as British workers would need, which must make a big difference to any building cost.

I agree that it's sad, though! i can't afford a solar panel either. I wish the Government woudl see their way clear to making it genuinely affordable for everyone, as Im sure it would make a huge difference to energy comsuption in the home.

MSE_Martin

Thank you! £4,985 donated to Senegal health centre and surprisingly 6 kids funded for school

My estimates were wildly exceeded. There were 9,985 new recipients of my email in response to m'pledge to donate 50p per recipient to generate £2,418 to buy solar panels for a Senegal Health Centre. The extra cash will go to Health Centre equipment, vocational training for 2 Senagalese orphans, 6 sewing machines, 6 sets of school toys and 6 sets of school classroom equipment. Thanks so much.

pdbmn

forgive me but I can't help think the money should be spent in the UK, i'm sorry about the plight of people in Africa, but call me whatever you like, i think that this sort of help should be used here and not another country

billions of pounds of aid have been poured into 3rd world countries and it doesn't seem that much changes at least not in the long term

aloiseb

I think Martin's point in giving to a developing country may be that they suffer poverty at a level we can't even begin to imagine here. OK we're poor, but it's all relative isn't it? We're mostly not without healthcare provision, a least.

tigermatt

MSE_Martin wrote:

Thank you! £4,985 donated to Senegal health centre and surprisingly 6 kids funded for school

My estimates were wildly exceeded. There were 9,985 new recipients of my email in response to m'pledge to donate 50p per recipient to generate £2,418 to buy solar panels for a Senegal Health Centre. The extra cash will go to Health Centre equipment, vocational training for 2 Senagalese orphans, 6 sewing machines, 6 sets of school toys and 6 sets of school classroom equipment. Thanks so much.

That is very good Martin. It is a surprise to me that it went over the required amount - it's great for the people who will use the health centre.

skyepark

i posted the senagal link on myspace dont know if it helped

GoBoldly

I do not see how people making voluntary charity donations stop this being a marvelous free site
On learning about this charity effort unfortunately not knowing anyone eligible to join
having already told them all I would like to have been able to make a donation to the charity but could not find how. I don't know if I could
Is there any way possibly god forbid a premium number which is a dedicated charity No.
E.G 08****1 = £1
o8****2 = £2 etc.

MSE_Martin

To answer the questions briefly

1. Why Senegal. Because I wanted to, simple as that. There are many worthy charities, this is the one i picked. The charity fund of the site (see about us) which is much bigger has a good number of UK based charities in it. And i presume by the success of the pledge many other people like it too

2. Can you donate. I will never ask people to donate to my charity - i want no one to feel obliged, this site is doing good and people shouldn't be guilted or put off. To make a donation to the senegal charity is difficult as its a 'gift package' but if you'd like to donate, i'm sure any of the sites five chosen charities would love to receive it

martin

chevalier

It never ceases to amaze me how so little money can do so much good. Wow. I use the world vision catalogue also for difficult to buy people! So well done to Martin and the site for organising this.