The other day, while aimlessly scrolling through my facebook news feed, I came across a rather impacting and disturbing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBQ-IoHfimQ&feature=youtu.be
It is specifically this 1:33 minute video that was able to shape my rather somber mood for the rest of the day. I watched this video before my 8:30 Political Science class and found myself struggling hours later, as I could not seem to shake the horrid images from my mind. Whether it be the excellent acting or what appeared to be the genuine expression of utter fear on the young girl's face, I was majorly impacted by this short video. It motivated me to want to do something and therefore I easily made the decision to donate my $103 to the Syrian children cause.
After affirming my decision to donate to this cause, I started what I thought would be a seemingly long procedure in coming across a reliable donation agency. I decided that I would not give the time of day to any organization that did not donate more than 80% of the proceeds to the children in need. What I thought would be a long process, turned out to be a rather short one. The first organization I came across was www.savethechildren.org, the organization that sponsored the impacting youtube video. Shockingly this website lays out all the details one would want to know about an organization prior to donating any money or resources. What I particularly appreciated about this website was the layout of the website. I did not have to search for more than 10 seconds to come to an understanding of what this organization stood for. Surprisingly this organization donated 89% of its proceeds directly to the children-- this is the point that sold me. This staggeringly high percentage seemed to do more than suffice what I was hoping for in an organization.
Savethechildren.org has an excellent design plan that is feasible and reasonable for all types of donors. Whether it be a one time donor, like myself, monthly donations, or even the sponsoring a child. This lured me in even further as I felt the organization was not strictly trying to milk as much money from the donor, as possible. Rather, I felt appreciated with the $103 donation that I was able to make to this cause.
I just watched the video and it actually brought me to tears. And I know that just as it stayed in your mind all day, it will also haunt me for a while to come. I will admit I am not as informed about the Syrian issue as I should be. This video did what was intended of it, shocking me and making me feel guilty for not being informed on the issue. It is easy to forget that the things we hear reported in the news are happening to real people, that they're not just nameless refugees. Especially the children, who have no part or say in government or war, but are still heavily affected by it. The video made me want to learn more about Save The Children, as was it's purpose.
ReplyDeleteI explored the save the children website, and was struck by how the front page had three info graphics showing where Save The Children works, how they give 89% of donations directly to aid, and how many people they have affected. The 89% number was a big winner for me, like it was for you. I also really like that if you click on the 89% graphic, it takes you to a very comprehensive page where all of the audits and financial reports on Save the Children are. It's not just a floating fact, it's backed up by research, and the research isn't hidden away from the public.
One of my favorite parts of the Save the Children sites was the "Give a Gift" section. It's an easy format way to instantly give gifts such as animals or school supplies to children in need, both abroad and in the US. What we've learned in class, plus the amazing financial stats on the website, and the emotional burst provided by the Syrian refugee video, gave me all the reason I needed to decided to buy a gift from their website. I'm very glad that you donated your Tweet of the Week money to Save the Children, because this blog post caused me to look into this organization more in depth. I had heard of Save the Children, but had never really researched it. I'm very glad I read your post and went to visit the website and really look around, because I have gained a new charity to add to my list of favorites.