But is there any reason why, even in a less developed country why commerce hasn't developed to the point that people are able to grow crops and farm other foods and trade for them as we do using other skills as payment or to earn the currency that would pay for it?

These people have lived in these lands for thousands of years and the population must have been supported historically or they would have died out. Today, they can't support themselves and year on year we hear of problems in various African countries.

Oh yes. I have the answer- civil war In fact, if you hadn't already gathered, Zimbabwe used to be self sufficient AND export food, now its inhabitants are starving thanks to that self righteous prick, Mugabe.

And if it isn't that, then it must be global warming.

True advertising is needed but as someone who worked at a charity you find that over 80% of what's raised pays for "admin costs" i.e. people getting paid too much shuffling paper whilst not actually working.

Just to add to that, I've done at least one advert where everything was provided for free, gratis, for nothing. All the crew, production and post production worked for nowt.

That's irresponsible, the western way is to centralise everything, centralise agriculture, delivery, cities, retail, business etc etc. That doesn't work in Africa, too much corruption, not enough protection for the people, no Labour movement, no unions, the infrastructure can't cope. So the people get shafted from every direction by all-powerful tyrants, the once-thriving localised, small-scale tribes and governments and markets have been broken up forcefully by colonialisation. Western ideas have been fed to them through advertising. We've conciously infected them with damaging ideas and it's our responsibility to put things right.

Yay lets give another corrupt government money, w000t. (well whos the president, is it the one the military wants, is it the one the people want, is it the one the law people want.... gah... to say unstable would be rather understating the fact that any money you dump here will be eaten up by drug smuggling randomers...).

What exactly is irresponsible and who is that aimed at?



Hang on. The first part sums up all that I feel about Africa. Of course, not all of Africa is like that, but those places that are run on bribes, corruption etc. etc. are the ones that have the most problems. So, that's my fault that they can't get their act together? No, but the second part of your argument I find interesting.

Take Zimbabwe as an example- because I (think that I) know something about this. Zimbabwe is a fertile land with a history of successful farming and not only produced enough food for itself, but had a thriving export market. Then, the lands were taken from the efficient (white) farmers and given to others- As I understand it these "others" are black Zimbabweans whom RM thinks should have the land. Now these "others" are either not interested in or useless at farming and now Zimbabwe has food shortages.

Now that isn't my fault, or Gordon Brown's fault or the United Nation's fault or the fault of the people of Zimbabwe. It is the fault of Robert Mugabe, his government, policies and thugs. If there is a child hungry in Zimbabwe tonight, it is HIS fault, not mine. Now, I might be happy to sponsor that child, but I'd rather sponsor a bunch of mercenaries to take RM out!

My point is that people have usually created these situations and not always the west as many would seem keen to blame and while I do respect the work that charities do, I do sometimes think "so" and "your point is?" when these ads come on. Referring to the ad that started this, I feel that while it is sad that this girl does not have a childhood as such, it may have been that way for hundreds of years, even thousands and I'm not going to feel bad about it if that is the case.

If it's the case that corrupt government and civil war have caused this, what else is new?

Is it just me, or do we never hear from any downtrodden country's official representatives whenever we send them money? I don't remember seeing one official in the media even after the tsunami, for instance

I generally only give to charities to avoid arguments or sneering these days - I'm increasingly of the opinion that I should look after myself first, especially since so much taxpayers' money is handed out overseas with little in the way of results. What's the point of a financial sticking plaster in the grand scheme of millions of lives? Use the money to remove the scumbags in these countries, or use it to petition the UN if you like (though I think the UN's a joke personally).

Let's be honest, most of the world's über gits were backed and/or put in place by the West to serve it's own narrow interests at the time. It's hardly a shock to find that these f*ckbags now make their own peoples' lives a misery. Why don't we do anything about those abusing their power? No gain or advantage for us.

So I'm left wondering why I should be the responsible one tbh

It's illegal under International Law for any Country to invade another in order to bring about regime change.

Even the West & NATO can only get away with it for so long, we can't afford to piss off the world and his wife.

I know where you're coming from, but that's all anyone's ever done throughout history, effectively

It's for that main reason that I think the UN is a nonsense, and especially since it relies so heavily on America - it's strongest 'partner' is at least one of it's most liable.

When you're the most dominant military power on the planet and part of the availing military alliance I guess you can make your own rules.

Nuke them from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

I like to keep this handy, for close encounters.

I'm suprised no one has yet touched on the subject of brightly coloured strange looking people chasing you down the street to sign you up for a direct debit for whatever charity vest they're wearing that day.

How much do these people get paid? I know they dont work for free?

I swear if I signed up to each one I walked passed in a week I'd be broke.

Now though they've started knocking on your door with their little direct debit forms. One even asked if he could speak to me while his colleague (a woman) stayed with my 'daughter.'

It was my girlfriend!!!!!

They get about £8 an hour + a bonus if they hit their target. They don't even need them to be valid bank accounts to get the bonus.

I had three of them on the doorstep last week, from Scope.

I don't care how good and noble the cause is, if someone pitches up and expects me to sign up for a direct debit, they shouldn't seem so surprised when they get short shrift. We know the tactics, put someone under pressure and guilt them into coughing up the goods.

"I'm sorry, can I stop you there? I do not sign up for anything on my doorstep" is my standard response. If they don't take the hint, and plough on regardless with their scripted spiel, I tell them to p!ss off and close the door.

We donate to charity on a regular basis, but it is our decision, made freely, without coercion.