A lesson to learn from

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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 5^th 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.