Charity Blocks

To raise funds for a foreign beneficiary has many blocks. And after all the different fund embezzlement among charitable organisations, I understand the rationale for MCYS' road blocks. What are the blocks?

1. A school needs the approval of the minister of education to raise funds. That's usually alright the moment your Principal approves.

2. Provide 4 documents to MCYS Charaties Unit for permit to raise funds:
Document to state that beneficiary is a bona fide organisation
A document from beneficiary to state the receipt and usage of the funds
A estimated expenditure and
Well... I forgot the fourth one.

3. All these should be done 2-3 months prior to the trip.

Where will a teacher get funds to do a pre-trip to secure the letters in rural areas which are not accessible by road? the simple organisation may incur $ which the teachers pay without claiming.

I miss Singapore International Foundation. They started funding groups which embark on service-learning projects (75% of the entire project). And the leader gets funds for pre-trip too! In a way, 有钱出钱，有力出力。to give Physical or monetary aid depends on the contributor's ability and possessions.

My colleague who heard of all the paper work commented, "Just bring students to adventure camps; no need to fund raise for foreign beneficiaries." I agree that the hassle of applying for a permit amidst all the heavy workload is frustrating. However, my next thought was what or how then will our students truly learn the value of fund-raising and helping those who have no means of help within their own society. CIP in Singapore is very meaningful. Let's not discount that. Yet, we'll not catch a glimpse of poor living conditions, unfriendly systems due to political and social reasons and ineffective municipal or effective municipal authorities. The world is bigger than robust economy and securing our own homeland...

See how the forest fire at Sumatra darkens the air we breathe in...


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