There
are appeals for generous donations every now and then. People’s enthusiastic response
to such appeals is appreciable. However, to our dismay, it can sometimes be a headache
if the motive behind the donation is selfish and inconsiderate. What has
happened to a friend of mine recently is more than enough evidence.
A
fortnight ago someone posted a fb message inviting donations of toys for poor
children in remote areas of China. He requested for the toys to be collected at
the service centre where my friend works. And that was how the nightmare
started. She soon found herself overwhelmed with phone calls. And within hours
toys began to pile up in the small yard adjacent to her office. Not all of them
were toys though. There were even used cooking utensils among them.
For
days the donations kept coming even after my friend had called for a stop. In
fact, the situation has gone beyond control. At this present moment, she is
still answering phone calls, angry complaints about the donations being
rejected.
Ought
we to be thankful for people’s generosity? Yes, we ought to - if it is with the
intention of offering help. But unfortunately, there are some who care only for
the chance to clear their home of unwanted goods. So when rejected, they are
furious about having to find space for the loads again.
So the
root of evil is over materialism in our daily lives, resulting in the problem
of waste disposal. It is apparent from the increasing number of shops selling
children’s goods that parents are keen on satisfying their material needs. And excessive
purchasing is exacerbated by the long relished culture of gift exchange.
Another friend of mine held a party for her kid’s 5th birthday three
years ago and has given up the idea since. The reason is that some of the gifts
still remain wrapped.
The appeal
for donations had been well intentioned. The catastrophic turn in the situation
is beyond everyone’s expectation. No one is to blame for this. Instead, let
this be a lesson to learn from. More careful planning is needed with preventive
measures discussed before launching a donation appeal such as this. More important still is
the readiness to share with others what we treasure rather than discarding what
we have no use of. Sharing is more than doling out charity. Above all, we ought to
avoid excessive purchasing. Waste reduction at the source is to be advocated.
