niall mellon charity?whats the big deal

Dave! · 10-12-2008 12:08pm

Yeah everyone knows it's not charity if you smile while you're doing it!

Wurly · 10-12-2008 12:40pm

ronbyrne2005 wrote: »

Sorry , but for the cost of sending you to Zambia and the resources to train you to build houses ,dozens of local people could have been trained and employed to build dozens more houses than you built. Don't feel bad, lot's of naive gap year students think they are doing good when they would be doing much more by not going and sending the money instead. You probably got more out of it than the locals.

Well having been there myself, I can tell you that this is not the case. They held a ceremony for us when we were leaving to show thanks.

For what it's worth, I see your point but i'm sorry - it's ill informed.

In the village we were in, a lot of the men have alcohol problems. There are illegal 'sheebeen's' in operation. If we were to send the money, the money may not have been spent on housing. Also, if given to the government, the money would most probably have been squandered as the country is extremely corrupt.

It's not all about throwing money at something to make the problems go away. At least if you build a house with your own bare hands, you know that those people now have a dwelling to live in. If you send money, how do you know it has gone to its purpose.

And it wasn't only building houses - we really got to know the community. They loved having us there. It was a change of pace for them. We played football with the kids, washed clothes and cooked with the women and ate all of our meals together.

I should also mention that a sizeable portion of fundraising came from my own pocket. Any leftover money went straight back to the charity so that they could continue their work over there.

All of our food was bought by us. We did not use the charity money for personal use whatsoever.

I would also like to point out that I am not a gap year student, contrary to your assumption.

I do not feel bad, you're right. I am glad I went. And, like I said, I think it's better to actually go and visit the country you are helping, mix with the locals, hear their stories and provide labour to help the cause. I think it's far too easy to criticise people like me who have gone and label us as naive.

Your opinion is your entitlement. And I see your point. But the whole thing is a lot different to what you think it is. Btw - it was not the Niall Mellon Trust - it was a different charity. Not all charities are the same or go about things in the same way.

ronbyrne2005 · 10-12-2008 12:56pm

Tri wrote: »

Well having been there myself, I can tell you that this is not the case. They held a ceremony for us when we were leaving to show thanks.

For what it's worth, I see your point but i'm sorry - it's ill informed.

In the village we were in, a lot of the men have alcohol problems. There are illegal 'sheebeen's' in operation. If we were to send the money, the money may not have been spent on housing. Also, if given to the government, the money would most probably have been squandered as the country is extremely corrupt.

It's not all about throwing money at something to make the problems go away. At least if you build a house with your own bare hands, you know that those people now have a dwelling to live in. If you send money, how do you know it has gone to its purpose.

And it wasn't only building houses - we really got to know the community. They loved having us there. It was a change of pace for them. We played football with the kids, washed clothes and cooked with the women and ate all of our meals together.

I should also mention that a sizeable portion of fundraising came from my own pocket. Any leftover money went straight back to the charity so that they could continue their work over there.

All of our food was bought by us. We did not use the charity money for personal use whatsoever.

I would also like to point out that I am not a gap year student, contrary to your assumption.

I do not feel bad, you're right. I am glad I went. And, like I said, I think it's better to actually go and visit the country you are helping, mix with the locals, hear their stories and provide labour to help the cause. I think it's far too easy to criticise people like me who have gone and label us as naive.

Your opinion is your entitlement. And I see your point. But the whole thing is a lot different to what you think it is. Btw - it was not the Niall Mellon Trust - it was a different charity. Not all charities are the same or go about things in the same way.

I have worked in some of the biggest charities in Ireland working in International development, I'm not ill informed. Whatever makes you feel good I suppose. Good luck.

irishvamp90 · 10-12-2008 1:47pm

TO REPEAT=yes i know regular people help with the niall mellon charity and do hard work building but i hate all this gloss and spin thats go with the charity.its like their a snob charity because they can jet off to south africa.and yeah fiar play to the rich people at balls and auctions who spend money........in charity time and patients would mean more to me.i bet these people wouldnt go visit old folk over christmas ,cook an extra dinner or a cake for a old neighbour or invite them over.simple things.the oh my insert family/friend who is so great why dont they do some good at home in ireland because they get no attention and the glamour of saying the naill mellon charity

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 1:54pm

Or if there was a project in Newtownforbes to renovate houses for old people would the 'personality and socialite' set be there.

Would the RTE 'bods' be queuing up to take part and the so called socialites?

Would they f***k.

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 2:02pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

.its like their a snob charity because they can jet off to south africa.

Serioulsy a snob charity, that is just beyond crazy & it sounds a tab bitter.
If these people have the money it is great that they use it to help others, if people in the public eye chose to support this charity that is their own decison, whether u like to accept it or not they are doing a great thing.
I am aware there are various charities at home that need help too ,but what we consider poverty here would be a good standard of living in many countries so pershaps they are more deserving of our help.

irishvamp90 · 10-12-2008 2:17pm

charity work isnt all about poverty.helping old folk.homeless,disabled,people with mental illness spending time being human that costs ZERO no money.and it make it sound worse the niall mellon trips are called blitz's.id love to see all these people who care so much giong to south africa do some simple helpful things here without the glory

Spider_Baby · 10-12-2008 2:20pm

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Or if there was a project in Newtownforbes to renovate houses for old people would the 'personality and socialite' set be there.

Would the RTE 'bods' be queuing up to take part and the so called socialites?

Would they f***k.

How can you even compare the conditions of houses here to the conditions of "houses" in South Africa???
Thousands of people are dying there every year due to medical conditions associated with their appalling living conditions.
If this was the case in Ireland, of course thousands of people would be helping, including "the RTE bods" as you call them. This isn't the case though.

I see nothing wrong with celebrities going along on these trips. Anything that helps highlight the terrible living conditions and the extreme poverty in many parts of South Africa, can only be a good thing, even if it is Glenda Eyebrows who is informing us.
Making more people aware of the situation will help bring in more funds for the next trip. More funds = more houses.
I can't even comprehend that there are people on here complaining about this charity. Seriously, what have you got to complain about???

irishvamp90 · 10-12-2008 2:34pm

not saying africa hasnt poverty but the pepple there live simple,something irish people need to go back too.plenty of kids in ireland in poverty......

Dave! · 10-12-2008 2:36pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

not saying africa hasnt poverty but the pepple there live simple,something irish people need to go back too.plenty of kids in ireland in poverty......

Yeah, there's simple and there's simple.

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 2:39pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

not saying africa hasnt poverty but the pepple there live simple,something irish people need to go back too.plenty of kids in ireland in poverty......

Living simply.... you mean with no roof over their head to protect them against the heat or cold, no clean water or garunteded source of food!!! Somehow I dont see the people of Ireland returning to that in a hurry.
As I said before what we consider poverty here isn't a patch on the poverty experienced by people in 3rd world countries.

walshb · 10-12-2008 2:42pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

In the last year or two i heard the name alot in the media,now fairplay charity is great cant knock it but whats the big deal with it?..i was sick on the couch yesterday and there was a repeat of that xpose show on tv3 so i watched it.it had that model one glenda in south africa with the charity interviewing a property tycoon and pr guru.its like a fake charity for wannabe sociallites.they said 2000 people have been over to south africa its a pity these people wouldnt help at home here in ireland.i started just helping with old people just a simple thing like time no money,no fancy balls.no media spin.rant over it sickens my ****

Mate, didn't you know that you weren't allowed question overseas charity?
Man, that's a big no no. You may be seen as a begrudger and NOT doing you bit
for the poor African people.:rolleyes:

Niall is over in SA building houses for the poor people; I wonder how many houses
Niall bulit in Ireland for any person for next to nothing? I just wonder?:rolleyes:

Oh, and don't dare mention Irish people maybe in poverty? That is a NO NO too. We
have it so good and if some folks here had their way, they would take the shirt, never mind the house, off your back, to give to the poor Africans!

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 2:44pm

Spider_Baby wrote: »

How can you even compare the conditions of houses here to the conditions of "houses" in South Africa???
Thousands of people are dying there every year due to medical conditions associated with their appalling living conditions.
If this was the case in Ireland, of course thousands of people would be helping, including "the RTE bods" as you call them. This isn't the case though.

I see nothing wrong with celebrities going along on these trips. Anything that helps highlight the terrible living conditions and the extreme poverty in many parts of South Africa, can only be a good thing, even if it is Glenda Eyebrows who is informing us.
Making more people aware of the situation will help bring in more funds for the next trip. More funds = more houses.
I can't even comprehend that there are people on here complaining about this charity. Seriously, what have you got to complain about???

Totally missing the point of this thread honey.

I resent these people hot wiring onto genuine charitable causes to further their own profile and to keep their faces in the media.
When they apply a similar enthusiasm to the plenty of Irish causes out there
maybe they will gain some respect from me,but I don't see that now or ever,so as far as i am concerned they are little better than the liggers and freeloaders their lifesyle is based on.

Sorry to be so blunt.

walshb · 10-12-2008 2:47pm

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Totally missing the point of this thread honey.

I resent these people hot wiring onto genuine charitable causes to further their own profile and to keep their faces in the media.
When they apply a similar enthusiasm to the plenty of Irish causes out there
maybe they will gain some respect from me,but I don't see that now or ever,so as far as i am concerned they are little better than the liggers and freeloaders their lifesyle is based on.

Sorry to be so blunt.

Blunt, but SPOT on and unfortunately this view is not what folks want to hear.
I really wonder how many of these marvelous tradesmen ever did a freebie for a person here? I'm highly doubting it

What's Mr Mellon's CV. What decent charitable act has he done here?

irishvamp90 · 10-12-2008 2:48pm

tribes all the over the world can use natural materials for shelter for 1000's of years.you wrap up in wool/animal skin for heat.they boil water that is a simple life.these people dont need celtic tiger homes!!they have their own ways
plenty of empty houses in ireland going to waste.but again they were buillt for profit by all the tradesmen rushing to south africa
just cause they dont have a shiny house doesnt mean their not happy living in tradditional style homes they have use for 1000's of years

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 2:50pm

In fairness now, I am NOT dissing the tradesmen who go out.

I'm quite sure that most of them are totally genuine.

When I saw Gilsen on that paper last Sunday I fcukin almost boiled over.

walshb · 10-12-2008 2:50pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

tribes all the over the world can use natural materials for shelter for 1000's of years.you wrap up in wool/animal skin for heat.they boil water that is a simple life.these people dont need celtic tiger homes!!they have their own ways
plenty of empty houses in ireland going to waste.but again they were buillt for profit by all the tradesmen rushing to south africa
just cause they dont have a shiny house doesnt mean their not happy living in tradditional style homes they have use for 1000's of years

Absolute sense mate and fair play for starting this thread, We are saturated to the max with all this overseas 'do gooding' work. It's massive egos, business and hype.

I would bet next to NONE are actually GENUINE; it's all to make name and
to be seen to be a hero.

walshb · 10-12-2008 2:51pm

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

In fairness now, I am NOT dissing the tradesmen who go out.

I'm quite sure that most of them are totally genuine.

When I saw Gilsen on that paper last Sunday I fcukin almost boiled over.

Genuine, are these the same tradesmen who would charge freaking 80 Euro to put on a bloody washer on a tap here in Ireland. Are these the genuine ones?

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 2:55pm

Yes they probably are, but MY beef is with the 'personalities' who piggy back on these things for no good reason only to freeload and lig as they do all their frikken lives!!!!

These people wouldn't lift a finger to do a similar project in Ireland.

That's what has my ballsack all sweated up and swollen!!!

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 2:56pm

walshb wrote: »

Mate, didn't you know that you weren't allowed question overseas charity?
Man, that's a big no no. You may be seen as a begrudger and NOT doing you bit
for the poor African people.:rolleyes:

Niall is over in SA building houses for the poor people; I wonder how many houses
Niall bulit in Ireland for any person for next to nothing? I just wonder?:rolleyes:

Oh, and don't dare mention Irish people maybe in poverty? That is a NO NO too. We
have it so good and if some folks here had their way, they would take tho shirt, never mind your house,
to give to the poor Africans!

You got it right mate, we have got it good here far better than 3rd world countries, we also have a social housing scheme which would negate the need for Niall Melon to build houses here in Ireland. If you drive through any town in the country u will see houndereds of houses idle.
Bregudger.....never

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 3:00pm

Why why does it matter if the charity is suported by celebrities? It keeps the name of the chairty in the public eye therefore benefiting the recipents, these celebs will always be around regardless of what we think of them at least their doing good.

walshb · 10-12-2008 3:00pm

Tipsy7 wrote: »

You got it right mate, we have got it good here far better than 3rd world countries, we also have a social housing scheme which would negate the need for Niall Melon to build houses here in Ireland. If you drive through any town in the country u will see houndereds of houses idle.
Bregudger.....never

Who exactly are you speaking for?

Not me I hope. What makes you the voice for all Irish people?

What gives you the right to tell us all that we all have it good?

You are no different from these so called charities.

Btw, do some research on SA and maybe you will see that the country
has more than enough power, money, resources and people to
look after its own affairs. It doesn't have to wait on the likes of Niall bloody Mellon and his crew to solve its problems!

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 3:09pm

Tipsy7 wrote: »

Why why does it matter if the charity is suported by celebrities? It keeps the name of the chairty in the public eye therefore benefiting the recipents, these celebs will always be around regardless of what we think of them at least their doing good.

Benefitting the recipients and the perpetrators.

Thats the important thing .

The people who run teams and give their time every Sunday morning are far more deserving of MYfunding than liggers and freeloaders tbh.

If you want to fund Gilsen et al going to SA, well then son, that's your decision.

I certainly won't.

And I will defend my decision not .

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 3:20pm

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Benefitting the recipients and the perpetrators.

Thats the important thing .

The people who run teams and give their time every Sunday morning are far more deserving of MYfunding than liggers and freeloaders tbh.

If you want to fund Gilsen et al going to SA, well then son, that's your decision.

I certainly won't.

And I will defend my decision not .

Teams I thought we were talking about charities?

the_syco · 10-12-2008 3:23pm

tricky D wrote: »

He doesn't take a salary, if you could read the accounts you'd see that he's actually loaned euro 724K to the charity.

Don't loans have to be repaid...?

mountainyman wrote: »

Do you really believ there is no one in South Africa who could run these projects with foreign money?

Yes. Money given to the government as aid to the people often doesn't get to the people.

=-=

There are many other build-houses-in-SA charities,

=-=

Tipsy7 wrote: »

If you drive through any town in the country u will see houndereds of houses idle.

All of which are thousands beyond what the poor middleclass here can afford.

=-=

The only way to do good in corrupt country is to do it yourself. SA may have lots of money, but doesn't mean the government care about the country. Yes, I think we should support our own poor first, but meh, can't see it happening.

Tipsy7 · 10-12-2008 3:25pm

walshb wrote: »

Who exactly are you speaking for?

Not me I hope. What makes you the voice for all Irish people?

What gives you the right to tell us all that we all have it good?

You are no different from these so called charities.

Btw, do some research on SA and maybe you will see that the country
has more than enough power, money, resources and people to
look after its own affairs. It doesn't have to wait on the likes of Niall bloody Mellon and his crew to solve its problems!

Take a deep breath and calm.....
I never said I was talking for anybody but myself. I believe in comparision to those in 3rd world countries we have it good you know with our clean water, shelter, health and education systems, long life expectancy just the small things really.

You truly believe that SA has all the reasources and just isn't using them???

walshb · 10-12-2008 3:38pm

It certainly does have the resources, man power, infrastructure and passion and desire.
I didn't say it wasn't using them. I said it had so much going for it; but then again, why bother when the good OLD Irish are there to 'save your world.'

SA is a dynamic and beautiful and powerful powerful country.

I could name all the attributes but what would that do.
I will simply say that any country with the power, money and resources to stage
a World Cup, has a lot going for it.

That's just ONE to chew on!

Dinter · 10-12-2008 3:48pm

Dave! wrote: »

Yeah everyone knows it's not charity if you smile while you're doing it!

That seems to be the root of it alright.

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Don't worry IV, the punters here are deliberately veering off the point.

Just so people are not mislead I will spell it out. Everybody knows this by the way!!

There is a growth industry in so called "celebs" going on overseas trips to "support" charities.

Yeah can't argue with that Flutts but while that's your point, which I don't see anyone arguing with btw, there are people who are saying that because there are better ways of ensuring aid is delivered to the more "worthy" poor people it's somehow wrong to raise €5000 yourself and go help build houses which is frankly a crock of shit.

Tri wrote: »

Well having been just back from Zambia in July building houses, I am outraged by your above comments.

Beats sitting on my arse moaning and bitching like you.

Good on you Tri.

Don't bother justifying what you did here. Charity shouldn't need to be justified and nor to people doing it need to flagellate themselves to ensure they're doing it in the proper spirit and not enjoying themselves.

Go away, do your thing and remember no matter how much you enjoyed it, it won't be half as much as the people you built houses for enjoy them.

Well done again.

kf1920 · 10-12-2008 4:03pm

Nehaxak wrote: »

This is one charity where I would ask the question as to how much their CEO is paid. I've heard very very high figures but I cannot substaniate them, nor is the information made available through their public accounts pdf document on their website, which I find dubious.

I lived with someone that worked for the Niall Mellon Trust. He paid for all of their wages, and didnt make a penny from it.

And yes he's looking to remove his name from the charity because to him its about the work, not the fame.

And to those saying why don't people help out closer to home, there is less red tape involved to set up a charity helping people abroad than to do something here in Ireland

Dave! · 10-12-2008 4:16pm

Why don't you cynics watch this interview with Niall Mellon on the Late Late show about a year ago......
http://www.rte.ie/tv/latelate/20080222.html

woodseb · 10-12-2008 6:05pm

Tipsy7 wrote: »

You truly believe that SA has all the reasources and just isn't using them???

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6382821.stm

nft

LaMer · 10-12-2008 6:06pm

Tipsy7 wrote: »

I believe in comparision to those in 3rd world countries we have it good you know with our clean water, shelter, health and education systems, long life expectancy just the small things really.

SA is not a 3rd World country, despite what you might think people do not starve or die of preventable diseases. It has all of those things you mentioned, problem is the AIDS epidemic reducing the living age and overstretching the health system, I'd like to see any "1st world" nation do much better.

Tipsy7 wrote: »

You truly believe that SA has all the reasources and just isn't using them???

Walshb is right, they do have the resources, biggest deposits of Gold in the world, massive amounts of minerals, diamonds, massive tourism and a huge market for goods and investment. The problem is distributing the wealth, 100 years of institutional racism and wealth division isn't going to be sorted in 10 years.

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 6:16pm

yes all true, excellent post there.

Glad to see some posters have a sensible head on their shoulders and are not like rabbits in headlights on these issues.

Dinter · 10-12-2008 6:52pm

LaMer wrote: »

SA is not a 3rd World country, despite what you might think people do not starve or die of preventable diseases. It has all of those things you mentioned, problem is the AIDS epidemic reducing the living age and overstretching the health system, I'd like to see any "1st world" nation do much better.

Walshb is right, they do have the resources, biggest deposits of Gold in the world, massive amounts of minerals, diamonds, massive tourism and a huge market for goods and investment. The problem is distributing the wealth, 100 years of institutional racism and wealth division isn't going to be sorted in 10 years.

So should we like wait for them to cop on and do something (not working so far) or should we do our best to improve the lot for as many of them as we can?

Look you can't put someone down for doing something that they feel is right solely because they benefit from it too. It's better than doing nothing at all and hoping for the best.

LaMer · 10-12-2008 6:58pm

Dinter wrote: »

So should we like wait for them to cop on and do something (not working so far) or should we do our best to improve the lot for as many of them as we can?

Look you can't put someone down for doing something that they feel is right solely because they benefit from it too. It's better than doing nothing at all and hoping for the best.

No I never said that, i was setting straight facts that this guy left out. As I said before I've no problems with the charity, if it makes you feel good, do it. I'm not putting anybody down. Its a good cause. however I think the money would be better invested in training poor South Africans to do the jobs. They'll have a house sure (which is a fundamentally good thing), but at the end of the day will they have a job or skills? Probably not.

Its also abit of a worrying development for some South Africans, the new houses are expanding already overcrowded townships.

Gyalist · 10-12-2008 7:33pm

irishvamp90 wrote: »

TO REPEAT=yes i know regular people help with the niall mellon charity and do hard work building but i hate all this gloss and spin thats go with the charity.its like their a snob charity because they can jet off to south africa.and yeah fiar play to the rich people at balls and auctions who spend money........in charity time and patients would mean more to me.i bet these people wouldnt go visit old folk over christmas ,cook an extra dinner or a cake for a old neighbour or invite them over.simple things.the oh my insert family/friend who is so great why dont they do some good at home in ireland because they get no attention and the glamour of saying the naill mellon charity

Maybe you should go for some help from your local literacy charity.
Something to think about...

edanto · 10-12-2008 8:12pm

Quite a few points of view on here. I'm disagree completely with the OP.

People that are saying the Irish Township Trust (aka Niall Mellon) are doing a good job are jumped on by people pointing out the problems here in Ireland... as if that's news to people.

What about the possibility that people that go to SA with the township trust are normal intelligent people that have decided that they would prefer to help South African people?

They might be perfectly conscious of the problems that we have at home, but they might like the idea of helping out people overseas.

To be clear about where I'm coming from, I work for a charity. Are we overpaid? No, I'm sure we're not. I have a standing offer to work for a forprofit firm for double the salary that I'm on now - and the reason that I keep doing what I'm doing is because I get a great buzz out of it. Yes, I'm a do-gooder.

I don't know Niall Mellon, but I know a few people that work for the charity. They do an amazing job as far as I know, they've gotten thousands of people involved in Development work and given them overseas experience that will probably influence they way they see the world - for the better as far as I'm concerned.

It's seven o'clock, I've just had my dinner. 923,000,000 people or so will go to bed hungry tonight around the world. If you want to do something about that, then do it. And stop giving out about the whole charity industry as if it's all the same.

Give specific and constructive criticism if you can take the time to analyse the situation and get to know the particular issue. In the case of South Africa, Naomi Klein has a whole chapter in The Shock Doctrine cataloguing how the handover from the apartheid government left the ANC government practically powerless to implement The Charter. You want to do something about that - get political. If you haven't got the time to do that, then help out with a charity that's active in SA. I hear the Irish Township Trust have got a pretty good reputation.

eth0_ · 10-12-2008 8:26pm

woodseb wrote: »

really, are the townships in south africa comparable to conditions in darfur or zimbabwe for example?

i think the people going over there have the best of intentions but there are more worthy causes that need such a mobilisation of funds and people

That's a really stupid comment to make. There's no cholera or typhoid epidemics in SA. But the people in townships in SA are DIRT POOR just like those in darfur and zimbabwe. They have no sanitation. They live in huts constructed from whatever materials they can find.

The people going over there to work for this charity are doing more harm than good. Think of all the trademen in SA who could be EMPLOYED by this charity - instead they are sitting around watching white middle class men come over to increase their own sense of self-satisfaction. It's just like those idiots in charities sending goats to poor african farmers without realising goats damage crops.

FlutterinBantam · 10-12-2008 8:29pm

Again, no one is saying charity is wrong, that the NMT isn't doing great work that it's not good to help people worse off than ourselves.

That's all a given.

What knots the OPs kex, is the amount of so called celebrities who use the charity as a vehicle to project their media footprint and who wouldn't lift their little finger to do SIMILAR WORK in Ireland.

That's what the issue is here.

Go read the first post again!!

eth0_ · 10-12-2008 8:32pm

LaMer wrote: »

Walshb is right, they do have the resources, biggest deposits of Gold in the world, massive amounts of minerals, diamonds, massive tourism and a huge market for goods and investment. The problem is distributing the wealth, 100 years of institutional racism and wealth division isn't going to be sorted in 10 years.

If it's that bad, why aren't there sanctions placed on SA until the government sort their people out? IMO leaving people to live in slum townships is unforgivable.

Countries like India, SA etc who are guilty of this have no place doing business with the rest of the world.

woodseb · 10-12-2008 9:16pm

eth0_ wrote: »

That's a really stupid comment to make. There's no cholera or typhoid epidemics in SA. But the people in townships in SA are DIRT POOR just like those in darfur and zimbabwe. They have no sanitation. They live in huts constructed from whatever materials they can find.

.

eh? that was my point, explain why the comment was stupid

LaMer · 10-12-2008 10:54pm

If it's that bad, why aren't there sanctions placed on SA until the government sort their people out? IMO leaving people to live in slum townships is unforgivable.

Countries like India, SA etc who are guilty of this have no place doing business with the rest of the world.

The government of South Africa is currently working to meet the housing needs of people. Do you get that there was massive irregularities in the housing system before 1994 that are difficult to rectify? Until 1994 the government tryed to ignore the urbanisation of the Black Africans, they had laws preventing it (Group Areas Act, formation of "homelands" etc), thats how slums developed as "informal settlements". They aren't leaving people to live in shacks; 100 years of institutional inequality, 100 years of substandard housing for blacks and rapid urbanisation has developed these shanty towns. IMO sanctions would be a pretty retarded step, since the current situation isn't the ANCs fault.

EDIT: And if they have no place in doing business with the world how are they gonna rectify these problems? Grow money to make houses? come on.

Dave! · 11-12-2008 12:23am

eth0_ wrote: »

That's a really stupid comment to make. There's no cholera or typhoid epidemics in SA. But the people in townships in SA are DIRT POOR just like those in darfur and zimbabwe. They have no sanitation. They live in huts constructed from whatever materials they can find.

The people going over there to work for this charity are doing more harm than good. Think of all the trademen in SA who could be EMPLOYED by this charity - instead they are sitting around watching white middle class men come over to increase their own sense of self-satisfaction. It's just like those idiots in charities sending goats to poor african farmers without realising goats damage crops.

The Irish tradesmen train the locals to be builders. The majority of the people working on the developments ARE South Africans. 95% of them were previously unemployed. The people who live in the new houses previously lived in shacks made out of scrap metal.

So..... how exactly are they doing more harm than good?

If it didn't exist then the SAfricans would still be living in sh*t houses, still be unskilled, still be unemployed.

Tipsy7 · 11-12-2008 12:44am

Why does the involvment of celebrities devalue the work done by a charity???

Dinter · 11-12-2008 1:32am

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

Again, no one is saying charity is wrong, that the NMT isn't doing great work that it's not good to help people worse off than ourselves.

That's all a given..

Well let's give the op a chance to show he's singing from the same hymn sheet will we?

irishvamp90 wrote: »

it had that model one glenda in south africa with the charity interviewing a property tycoon and pr guru.its like a fake charity for wannabe sociallites.

Hmmm ok so. That's not quite the same point at all. Guess you'd better give us your honest feelings on the Neil Mellon Charity, Vampy.

irishvamp90 wrote: »

rant over it sickens my ****

Hmmm well Flutts here, reckons your major problem is z list celebs using worthy causes to try and raise their own dismal popularity and in fact that's the point he's defending.

FlutterinBantam wrote: »

What knots the OPs kex, is the amount of so called celebrities who use the charity as a vehicle to project their media footprint and who wouldn't lift their little finger to do SIMILAR WORK in Ireland.

Nicely put so just to make sure you're both aligned you'd better give us the crux of your argument again.

irishvamp90 wrote: »

they said 2000 people have been over to south africa its a pity these people wouldnt help at home here in ireland.

Really vamp, and they were all media whore celebs were they? Nah I don't think so. So tell us then Vampy, what's the real issue?

irishvamp90 wrote: »

i started just helping with old people just a simple thing like time no money,no fancy balls.

Ah someone doesn't feel appreciated for his charity work and is having a little tantrum at the people who dare to actually get something back from their charitable intentions. Fair enough so Vampy. Nice to have it nailed down.

walshb · 11-12-2008 8:19am

Ok, lets get real with this issue. All sides aside, did anyone ever stop to think
of the possible harm Mellon and co are creating in SA with their
imposing charity?

I watched the documentary about a year ago and I saw many many SA
people, yes, mostly white; but they are still people and still SA people, basically very
irritated that the Irish were forcing their' good will' upon SA when it was NEVER
asked for.

They were saying why don't the Irish basically GET lost and go do some charity in their own country. They are building houses on land and it is causing furter hostility between
whites and blacks.

Did anyone STOP to think that these houses were being mistreated and the folks supposedly benefitting were renting them out and making money off them, all the while they went and remained in their own towns in their original 'houses'

Did the SA people come and ASK Mellon to 'please help us sir and please build us houses' NO, he imposed himself on them and this is the problem I see with all these so called charities. They are interfering in countries affairs and maybe they are GENUINE, but it is still,causing problems.

Can you imagine a heap of SA folks over here and imposing themselves on our people. I don't think it would be all simply 'hunky dory.'

Finally, SA is a very powerful and resourceful and dynamic country and if folks really want to believe that they cannot themselves build a few 'pissy' houses and are
somehow waiting on the IRISH to sort them out, well, more fool you!

walshb · 11-12-2008 8:22am

Dave! wrote: »

The Irish tradesmen train the locals to be builders. The majority of the people working on the developments ARE South Africans. 95% of them were previously unemployed. The people who live in the new houses previously lived in shacks made out of scrap metal.

So..... how exactly are they doing more harm than good?

If it didn't exist then the SAfricans would still be living in sh*t houses, still be unskilled, still be unemployed.

So who the feck is building all the stadia for the WC?

Are the Irish also training the people for this massive project?

You would swear the people of SA were handicapped and couldn't do a thing
without the GREAT IRISH:rolleyes:

Baby4 · 11-12-2008 10:05am

This post has been deleted.

FlutterinBantam · 11-12-2008 10:21am

Good.

Now that we have cleared up the fact that these'celebs' are just PR junkies,ligging on yours and my donations,as they do all their lives, by the way,it ensures that any Charity using those wasters will not benefit from the Flutt's largesse.

Look BEHIND the headlines my friends!!

There is always an angle.

edanto · 11-12-2008 10:32am

walshb wrote: »

Ok, lets get real with this issue. All sides aside, did anyone ever stop to think
of the possible harm Mellon and co are creating in SA with their
imposing charity?

Did anyone STOP to think that these houses were being mistreated and the folks supposedly benefitting were renting them out and making money off them, all the while they went and remained in their own towns in their original 'houses'

Did the SA people come and ASK Mellon to 'please help us sir and please build us houses' NO, he imposed himself on them and this is the problem I see with all these so called charities. They are interfering in countries affairs and maybe they are GENUINE, but it is still,causing problems.

Yes, I think you'll find that they did STOP and think about what they were doing. Of course the television show found some people to give out about it - controversy has a much higher news value than almost anything else. Combine controversy with some begrudgery about a high profile Irish do-gooder and you've got a great news story!

So what if the people that were given the houses want to rent them out? Are you saying that we should be so superior to the South Africans to say that for some reason they can't become landlords?!! Are they not adult enough to decide the best use to make of their new house? Maybe the money they get from rent helps the family far more then the new house would.

And for all those that want to do something about the problems that we have in Ireland....

http://www.volunteeringireland.ie/page.php?id=15

http://www.volunteer.ie/volunteeropportunities_search.htm

You have to search this stuff out - put a bit of effort into it. Of course charities aren't going to be able to advertise as widely as businesses, that would be a waste of money. Instead they use celebrities, because we know that will make the news, we use inventive ways to get our story covered, and hope that by doing so we'll make more people aware of the reasons for doing charity work.

Perhaps you might like to know how wealthy/poor you are compared to everyone else in the world? Think you're in the top 50%? top 40%? Find out!!

http://globalrichlist.com/

niall mellon charity?whats the big deal

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