World Vision says that the debate reached their offices but still has them deciding to continue with their programs because they make targeted donations, staff make requests for needs, there will be no 'measurable impact' on the economies where the goods are distributed.
Taking the time to respond to criticism is something which should be commended. World Vision is so big that they do not have to address the concerns of a few vocal bloggers and comments. However, Saundra of Good Intents is not happy commenting:
Easy claims to make, but can you back them up with documentation? Especially since other non-profits of similar size and mission - Oxfam, Save the Children, American Red Cross, Plan USA - claim very little as gifts-in-kind on their financial statements. So how is it that World Vision needs even more than the quarter of a billion dollars worth of gifts-in-kind each year to run their programs? To be believed, you will need to back up your claims with documentation including: needs assessments, a market analysis of what is available in the local markets and the impact on the market of donated goods (staff requests do not equal a market analysis), an independent evaluation of both the NFL donations (after 15 years you should have done at least one evaluation) and an independent evaluation of your entire gifts-in-kind portfolio. You should also share the math behind how World Vision determined that the NFL shirts had a Fair Market Value - on the date of donation - of approximately $20 each. And this doesn't even begin to hit on the issues with World Vision's marketing campaigns around GIK. Why keep perpetuating the Whites in Shining Armor image.Needless to say, Saundra is fired up.
World Vision has made a positive set in their response, but have not addressed the main questions that have been posed:
- What impact does the distribution of the clothing have on the local economies?
- What role does this partnership play in the printing of more shirts?
- Are there no alternatives to the current plan?
- Why is quality clothing not available in some communities? How does distributing free goods resolve this problem?
Though a very kind gesture, the response by World Vision will not appease its' critics. I remain a skeptic, but patiently await more information. It is evident that World Vision has been thinking long and hard about this issue. It might be best to offer some more information and a little less Politik.
7 comments:
In answer to this question
1) What impact does the distribution of the clothing have on the local economies?
It kills it off- there is now reason why I would go to work or tend fields to put food on the table if I knew someone would turn up and give me free clothing and food.
What is so sad about this all is that African policy makers/leaders are not fighting this sort of thing and allowing their textile industries to die off leaving several people in the chain jobless
Bill haff much simpler questins.
1. What is full cost of warehousin und shippin and der whole ting, per shirt.
vs
2. What is actual value to poor person. Not der price in der shop ($20). Not der rule der accountin law on valooation (mebbe $8). Not der cost to make (mebbe $4). Not even always der local market price (mebbe $2). But der real valooe to poor person. Der value X vere you ask 'you vant $X or shirt' und dey sez 'shirt'.
Both rilly easy to ask, easy to measure. Not like all der 'impact' tings.
And if 2 < 1... burn shirts, do funrazin, giff cash.
I am still worked up by the tax exemption scam: in essence, this is a gift by the tax payer to the private sector company of USD 20 (socializing loss, privatizing benefit) with World Vision getting a lousy t-shirt (worth USD 1?)to dump, or sell in a parallel universe.
I feel stuck in an ancient Greek tragedy, destined to constantly be engaged in the same stupid SWEDOW arguments with people who should know better. C'mon WV, you're better than this.
I feel stuck in an ancient Greek tragedy, destined to constantly be engaged in the same stupid SWEDOW arguments with people who should know better. C'mon WV, you're better than this.
In answer to this question
1) What impact does the distribution of the clothing have on the local economies?
It kills it off- there is now reason why I would go to work or tend fields to put food on the table if I knew someone would turn up and give me free clothing and food.
What is so sad about this all is that African policy makers/leaders are not fighting this sort of thing and allowing their textile industries to die off leaving several people in the chain jobless
A lot of times a taxpayer cannot afford to repay their specific tax debt which is ordinarily not as a result of debt alone, however because of the penalty charges added onto it every month. Because of this a Penalty Abatement appears so desired, still that isn't a simple solution to get accepted for, and then there are qualifying criteria that happen to be mandatory. Keep in mind the Internal Revenue Service is often a collection agent so their ambition is definitely to acquire anything they could therefore the reason to look at taking off penalties should be true and able to be proven. See where the likelihood of getting qualified rest here: http://www.tax-defense-network-irs-programs.com/tax-defense-network-penalty-abatement/
Post a Comment