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I know that some child sponsorship organizations that operate in third world countries have tried to so similar work in place in the US such as the reservations, however, many of the guidelines that they have in place are not accepted. I use to sponsor children on one of the reservations and I learned that many of the people are suspicious of nonnmembers who want to help, for example, through this organization. On the other hand, certain things were also expected that I was unable to provide. God bless.
In the religious circles, it's called Missionary Work.
At least in the USA, that's what people do. Travel 4000 miles to offer assistance to those in need.
It seems if you looked( just barely try) you could find something in your local city/town//state.
What's the need to go to another country? Is it for vanity? Bragging rights?
Because no-one would donate money towards your airfare if you were going for a holiday. And if you sent the money training a local in building skills and then employed them to do any further building, you wouldn't get a holiday.
I know that some child sponsorship organizations that operate in third world countries have tried to so similar work in place in the US such as the reservations, however, many of the guidelines that they have in place are not accepted. I use to sponsor children on one of the reservations and I learned that many of the people are suspicious of nonnmembers who want to help, for example, through this organization. On the other hand, certain things were also expected that I was unable to provide. God bless.
That is true among the Dakotah reservations. There is very deep suspicion of any charity that even gives an appearance it might have a Christian or USA Government connection. The abuse of the past has left some very deep wounds that have not yet healed.
I admit it is difficult for a non-native to do any charity work on the Rez as they are often viewed as wannabe Indians that just want to come out and "play" Indian for a few days, or they are Missionaries coming to destroy the Traditional beliefs or they are from the Government coming to steal more land.
For Charity work it is often best to have some Tribal members to give you the names of tribal leaders they trust and then work through those leaders. A wasichu (Non-Native) needs to understand it may be necessary for them to do their charity work without physically going onto the Rez until they have shown their true intentions.
For those interested in helping on the Reservations the best resources are the utility companies that serve the Rez and find out the names of individual families and work with those families individually.
The next best option and easiest is to contact the Tribal councils and ask what you can do to help.
Some continuous on going needs are propane for heating, warm clothing, school supplies.
Long term goals would be working with the tribal councils to establish workable industries. The Average tribal member gains nothing from the highly visible casino seen on every reservation or the tourist trade.
Nearly every tribal member I know does not want a hand-out they want a helping hand to gain more independence. The biggest thing I find most Lakotah want is for the Government to honor the "Treaty of Laramie" and return the lands that were unlawfully taken after the treaty was signed. The Reservations could be self sustaining if the land could be restored to what it was before the rush of Gold miners in the 1800s, the land rushes in the early 1900s, the Uranium miners of the 1950s and today's oil rush. All of which are in violation of the "Treaty of Laramie"
A big help all Americans can participate in is to write their congressmen demanding the US finally honors the treaty it agreed to. The 1868 "Treaty of Laramie" Between the USA and the Sioux Nation.
I suspect the point of the OP was to question why we don't take care of our own before removing some of the opportunity for others to care for their own.
And the point of my answer is that I don't recognize "my own" as being more deserving of whatever I can do to help human beings whom I find to be in need and deserving of a generous or charitable gesture.
And the point of my answer is that I don't recognize "my own" as being more deserving of whatever I can do to help human beings whom I find to be in need and deserving of a generous or charitable gesture.
No person in need is any more or any less than any other. We should dtrive to help all who are less fortunate than ourselves where ever they may be. It is just that we will most likely be able to do the most for those nearest. We should see our charity as an expanding circle, growing larger. As the needs of those near become less serious.
No person in need is any more or any less than any other. We should dtrive to help all who are less fortunate than ourselves where ever they may be. It is just that we will most likely be able to do the most for those nearest. We should see our charity as an expanding circle, growing larger. As the needs of those near become less serious.
All of which is true but the fact remains that we often find it easier to see the need in some distant land where the culture is exotic and/or "inferior", and mount all sorts of projects to "help" them (wanted or not) when in fact there are people right under our nose whose need we overlook because their need makes us uncomfortable, not being at a "safe", discussable distance.
All of which is true but the fact remains that we often find it easier to see the need in some distant land where the culture is exotic and/or "inferior", and mount all sorts of projects to "help" them (wanted or not) when in fact there are people right under our nose whose need we overlook because their need makes us uncomfortable, not being at a "safe", discussable distance.
In addition We seem to have the attitude that if we see poverty in our own neighborhood, it must be their own fault as there is no excuse for a person to live in poverty here.
In addition We seem to have the attitude that if we see poverty in our own neighborhood, it must be their own fault as there is no excuse for a person to live in poverty here.
That's a good point. There are actually many reasons for poverty, even in affluent first world locales, and the idea that most of them are self-inflicted becomes seductive, particularly to those who style themselves as "self-made"-- forgetting all the "undeserved" opportunities that enabled their "hard work" to get them someplace.
Is there ever a point beyond which a person can go where no amount of help or opportunity will avail? If so, what is the appropriate response? In a disaster scenario we perform triage, allowing those beyond help of available resources to die so that overall more people will be saved. Do we do that with the mentally ill, the handicapped, the poor?
My take on it is that in a medical triage situation we don't find those we choose not to treat as acceptable casualties. And neither should we in any situation where resources are scarce. We do our very best to bring more resources to bear as quickly as possible, to stretch existing ones, to be more effective, but we do not simply turn our backs. We should regard each person who suffers as a societal failure and strive to remove as much suffering as possible. It's just easier to regard each person's suffering as solely a personal failure of the sufferer. It allows us to not be troubled, and maybe even to be a bit smug.
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