This tribute had brought me close to tears. To read about the suffering was one thing but to actually be able to see the suffering was so much different. It was so tempting to just pick up the phone and dial the numbers for Mediacorp Channel 8 Charity Show to make a donation but after the old National Kidney Foundation big scandal, I lost faith on Charity Shows that were being board casted on television.
There would always be unscrupulous business man out to make a quick buck in the name of charity but out of good faith, many of us Singaporeans still made a donation. I was both shock and angry to learn from SimplyJean’s article that the amount raised last night by Mediacorp Channel 8 Charity Show would be tax.
This wasn’t the first time such questions were raised by the public. I understood that there were operational costs to be covered. Every artist, camera man and that man on the street who had appeared on the charity show draws salary. But what percentage of the donation would go to those people in need after deducting the operational cost for the show?
Singaporeans were very happy that $9.5 million was raised? Yet would all the $9.5 million reached the needy? I felt that I had to know the actual amount raised after deducting operational cost. If the operational cost is more than half the amount raised, I rather donate through other channels. At least I know their operational costs were so much lower. Moreover I would get to know where did the money went with their annual reports.
Let us skip the middleman and donate straight to the organization that we trust. We can still make a difference by donating. I have donated to Red Cross Singapore China Earthquake Appeal. Have you did your part?
Let’s go there and do our part in the relief …. hahaha