Dubious charities

spicyayam

I know there are many great charities who do a lot of great work. Some charities come under criticism for their administration fees. I don't know however if this can be helped. What sickens me though is charities or even individuals who are only interested in lining their own pocket. Unfortunately it's easier to get away with it in developing countries where reporting and controls are lax. I happened to come across an expat with various money troubles and one thing they do is run a charity. The website looks fairly professional but there is no mention of the individual the charity on the website. It says incorporated in Indonesia, but nothing like 'yayasan xxx'. I hadn't paid any attention to it until now when I saw a post on fb vaguely spruiking for donations for the earthquake.

harryopal

I am afraid if has always been thus: [SIZE=6]Shakedown! EU money allocated to the victims of Italian earthquake ended up going to the Mafia, says European Parliament report[/SIZE]

There was a seeing eye dog charity in Melbourne which had taken nearly two million dollars in donations over a couple of years and in two years had not produced one trained seeing eye dog. That said there are also people dedicated in an honourable way to provide assistance in need and the challenge for us is to check out these organizations and try to find a reputable one if we want to help.

spicyayam

And now I see people recommending this charity on facebook, post Lombok.

davita

Here in Bali there are numerous youths going around cars, stopped at intersections, with charity boxes stenciled Lombok relief. Many throw money into those boxes but there isn't any accountability. I wish investigators or the police would follow thru' and see if genuine or scam...but I'm naive.

matsaleh

spicyayam wroteAnd now I see people recommending this charity on facebook, post Lombok.

Which charity, Spicy? I can't see a charity named in the original post or am I not looking hard enough?

spicyayam

I don't want to accuse someone publicly. I can only suggest people to try and take a look into the charity and the people behind it before donating. If this information is not clear on their website then I would suggest avoiding them.

Markit

Screw charities they either don't deliver at all or if they do there are such massive "costs" involved only a fraction of the donated dosh lands where it was intended. Bali seems to be only too well equipped with those types. My advise if it's wanted after many efforts at charity: buy stuff - rice, tarps, meds, canned goods, clothes, etc - nothing that can degrade quickly or is easily breakable. There are enough long stay expats that aren't after the dosh going that way with ships, trucks or cars to deliver it in person. Otherwise you might just as well spend it on beer for you and your buds. I know some peeps doing this if anyone needs support, they are all up here in the east though...

spicyayam

Yes, you can send stuff through the post office for free maximum of 20kg. I think this is a great way to donate.

matsaleh

mugwump

matsaleh wroteWhich charity, Spicy? I can't see a charity named in the original post or am I not looking hard enough?

Hi Mat, Please PM me we may know a culprit in common.

Markit

Guys we all know "a culprit in common" that's cause most (possibly not all) Yayatsans (charities) are bogus and set up mainly for the economic enhancement of the "owner". I know 3 of them here in Karangasem that get naive people from all over the world to donate, come and build with/for them and send individual kids money for there "education" which all goes somewhere else. Just ask any charity with kids if you can just come by anytime? Guaranteed they say no, only with appointment - why? I hear you ask. It's because all the kids live in nearby houses and have to be drummed up first - if you could just go by anytime there wouldn't be a kid anywhere but they have all kinds of wonderful excuses....

DougalGeorge

spicyayam wroteI don't want to accuse someone publicly. I can only suggest people to try and take a look into the charity and the people behind it before donating. If this information is not clear on their website then I would suggest avoiding them.

Completely agrees with you. website must be the source to check things out. If something is not clear or registered properly then avoid giving any single penny to them.