Letter: Fresh look at charity?

Letter: I suppose one should not be too surprised when the suggestion that the maxim charity begins at home, when applied to Haiti generates such antagonism in your letters column. But I am beginning to think the whole business of charity needs to be examined.

Not a day passes that the postman fails to deliver a begging letter in some form or another. Every evening on TV there is inevitably a very cleverly composed emotionally charged appeal to my generosity.

Now I'm sure that I will be told that the appeals don't end because the poverty doesn't end. But then the question is why?

Charities and governments have been pouring our generosity into Africa. Where has the money gone and why is there no improvement? Is it not time to set targets and, for want of a better phrase, pay by results?

It may not be the best idea since sliced bread, but it is an idea.

We've got to do something as, with our present financial situation, we can not continue as we are. I think that may be the point your earlier correspondent was making.

Peter Sharman

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