We’re Irresponsible Givers

“Bake-sale, bake-sale!” Crowds of students gather around the bake-sale table as soon as the bell rings for break. The girls give away their hundred yens in exchange for cupcakes and brownies, and walk away contently.

You are one of these girls. So let me ask you. Where is your hundred yen going? Probably charity– you know that much. Okay then, which charity? How is it going to be spent? For whom is it going to be spent? Do you know? Do you care?

ISSH encourages us to be charitable girls, helping and giving to those in need. It’s evident from the countless free dress days and bake-sales that aim to raise money. But there is something very worrying. Donating money through free dress days and bake-sales has become a routine—an act without meaning. Who has ever thought when they approach the bake-sale table, if I buy this cupcake, where will my money be donated to and how will it be used? Or who has ever thought when they donate 200 yen on free dress days, will my donation be spent usefully and effectively by this charity or organization?

The sincere purpose of ‘helping’ seems to have vanished. We have forgotten the cause, and we have forgotten about giving from our hearts, which as ISSH students we should strive to keep. Not only are our actions damaging Sacred Heart philosophy, they are representing what I call ‘irresponsible giving’.

If we expand our perspective from ISSH to the world, there are a great number of non-governmental organizations or charities that support those in less developed countries. We donate money to these organizations, and they send our money as ‘aid’ for the development of poor countries. Sounds good, what’s the problem? The big problem is that, not all aid is helpful. We are irresponsible donors because we give our money and do not think about the consequences.

Aid that is sent or spent the wrong way can do damage to developing countries. Aid in the form of money sent directly to governments does not reach the people in need, because in many cases these governments are corrupt. By supplying these governments with aid, they become dependent, and corruption worsens. Aid can also be sent in the forms of food or products. If a wave of western food arrives at a certain country, local farmers will be put out of business. There are a handful of considerations organizations must make for aid to be sent and spent wisely and effectively. Therefore we as private donors to these organizations need to be mindful of the journey our donations take as well, so that we know for sure that our donations are used effectively and yield positive outcomes.

At ISSH, we can start by making sure that everyone knows what each fundraising is for. In morning assemblies, announcements for bake-sales and free dress days should include detailed descriptions of what the money is going to be put towards. Whether the fundraiser be for a philanthropic cause or for the club or grade to spend, the important part is that everyone donates knowing the cause, and becomes aware of what is happening to the money they donate. There should be thorough presentations, for any money donated to charity, of the path our donations take, and how they are supporting specific projects and people. Everyone will be able to see where the money reaches, and we will feel proximity with the causes of our donations, which would encourage thoughtful contributions. If we start to heed where our money is going, we will more likely become mindful of the consequences of donating. We will become able to sincerely and wisely donate for a cause, instead of mindlessly buying a brownie.

We can regain sincere charitable practices at ISSH. We need to clearly know the purpose of our donations, and we need to be aware of the path our donations take for the cause. We need to become responsible givers.