DotMH1901
I rarely donate to big charities - so much of their money goes on paying huge salaries to their Chair and other senior managers. My friend has been involved for decades with a village in Gambia and goes out there teaching during the Summer holidays - she collects clothing and books and equipment etc so I donate to her as I know 100% of what is given gets to the children and adults who need it. The village now has its own school which is well equipped, has a football team and is now a training centre for new teachers to study at.
Funnily enough, I support a young Gambian man (but not his whole village!). When he was in full time education I sent him notebooks, calculators and other stationary items. Now he has completed his education I’m helping him with money for food as he was working in the tourist industry but that is closed down for now. His monthly salary was £30 so that is what I send him. He always sends me pictures of what he has bought, and the meals his mother has made. As often as he can he will share his purchases with his neighbours who are also struggling. There is some help from the Gambian government, but not a lot. I would rather ‘donate’ this way, direct to a cause, than give to a bigger organisation where a small percentage of money given reaches the front line.