Accountable organisations
01 Dec 2008
I have become very concerned about a few sentimental e-mails that are doing the rounds at the moment, entreating the Pietermaritzburg community to donate money “to make sad children happy over the Christmas period”.

There are some wonderful, accountable Pietermaritzburg organisations, such as Cindi (Children in Distress), Thandanani Children’s Foundation, Pietermaritzburg Child and Family Welfare and Childline — all shining beacons of hope. Funds are strictly monitored when allocated to them and they remain accountable to the donors, ensuring that all donations are used for the purposes that were intended. This is a huge relief for the large donors who may be unable to monitor their donations from afar.

I suggest that if you have feelings roused by these e-mails, that you direct the money to tried-and-tested organisations, rather than deposit donations into a random account. Who knows where this money is going, or what portion of it is actually funnelled to the needy.

Also, don’t perpetuate these letters by forwarding them to “20 other people”. These e-mails go on in cyberspace, even if the organisation collapses, and the donations could continue to be deposited into a defunct account.

Cindi has a project to raise funds to give vulnerable children a new uniform for the first day of school next year — a gift that will last for a whole year and enable them to attend school confidently. Toys for Joy is also an annual tried-and-tested initiative. Give where you are assured that your money will be utilised properly.

Michele de Souza, Pietermaritzburg