Harming or Helping
I read the article this morning in the Toronto Daily Star about the racist violence that is manifesting itself in Holland. If you want one more reason to feel saddened and depressed about where our species is heading, go read it for yourself. Don't you feel sometimes like there is never going to be any light at the end of the tunnel? At times, it's all more than I want to know about. If you want to hear something more positive, something more hopeful about people helping others, instead of harming them, I think I can help a little.
I went to a Second Cup coffee shop yesterday to enjoy one of their libations, and idly picked up a brochure to leaf through while I imbibed. The leaflet is entitled "Second Cup:Committed to Giving Back" and it could lift your spirits above the melancholy of the news from the Netherlands.
In 1996, Second Cup formed a partnership with Foster Parents Plan to contribute to special projects in the regions where they source their coffees. First, let's deal with the cynical approach to this partnership. No-one is trying to claim sainthood for the good folks at Second Cup. Obviously, they will accrue benefits from this partnership. Their actions will serve to present them to the world as a good corporate citizen, and they stand to gain local and nation-wide recognition as such. This could influence some shoppers to buy there when they might not otherwise. Not to be forgotten either is the fact that they will reduce their corporate tax owing with every dollar they give. Having acknowledged all that, there is still so much of value that will actually arise from this partnership, and that is all that really matters.
The brochure declares that every Second Cup cafe across Canada, through the Foster Parents Plan, sponsors at least one child in Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya or Colombia. The money from the coffee giant also goes to improve conditions in the child's community, through such initiatives as classroom construction, vaccination programs, and health training. There are other projects ongoing, and the partnership is highlighted at their website, for those who want to just read about it, as well as those who want to help with it. The brochure also points out the fact that Foster Parents Plan has one of the highest rates of money directed to field work of all the international child sponsorship organizations. 82 % of the money goes to their benefit programs; 10% to public education and fundraising; and 8% to administration and operating. A great track record, indeed!
This morning I sit here, holding the brochure in my hands and feeling some comfort from looking at the smiling faces of the little ones pictured there. I know I have no real idea of the suffering the children helped by this partnership face in their daily lives. I do know it is a blessing that I do not have to witness the reality of the suffering. I also know that we, living in the privileged parts of our globe, can not allow ourselves to indulge in the bliss of ignorance. We have to get involved. Each of us has to help, however we are able. Here in my little corner of the world, I do what I can to light a candle against the darkness. What do you do?
I went to a Second Cup coffee shop yesterday to enjoy one of their libations, and idly picked up a brochure to leaf through while I imbibed. The leaflet is entitled "Second Cup:Committed to Giving Back" and it could lift your spirits above the melancholy of the news from the Netherlands.
In 1996, Second Cup formed a partnership with Foster Parents Plan to contribute to special projects in the regions where they source their coffees. First, let's deal with the cynical approach to this partnership. No-one is trying to claim sainthood for the good folks at Second Cup. Obviously, they will accrue benefits from this partnership. Their actions will serve to present them to the world as a good corporate citizen, and they stand to gain local and nation-wide recognition as such. This could influence some shoppers to buy there when they might not otherwise. Not to be forgotten either is the fact that they will reduce their corporate tax owing with every dollar they give. Having acknowledged all that, there is still so much of value that will actually arise from this partnership, and that is all that really matters.
The brochure declares that every Second Cup cafe across Canada, through the Foster Parents Plan, sponsors at least one child in Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya or Colombia. The money from the coffee giant also goes to improve conditions in the child's community, through such initiatives as classroom construction, vaccination programs, and health training. There are other projects ongoing, and the partnership is highlighted at their website, for those who want to just read about it, as well as those who want to help with it. The brochure also points out the fact that Foster Parents Plan has one of the highest rates of money directed to field work of all the international child sponsorship organizations. 82 % of the money goes to their benefit programs; 10% to public education and fundraising; and 8% to administration and operating. A great track record, indeed!
This morning I sit here, holding the brochure in my hands and feeling some comfort from looking at the smiling faces of the little ones pictured there. I know I have no real idea of the suffering the children helped by this partnership face in their daily lives. I do know it is a blessing that I do not have to witness the reality of the suffering. I also know that we, living in the privileged parts of our globe, can not allow ourselves to indulge in the bliss of ignorance. We have to get involved. Each of us has to help, however we are able. Here in my little corner of the world, I do what I can to light a candle against the darkness. What do you do?
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