That would be a very generous and noble thing to do sunnysideup and I applaud the efforts of any person who performs these random acts of charity and would love to hear the stories.
Here is another challenge. Allocate 20% of your income to orginizations or particular families to donate to. Watch as you actually help people to become self sufficient and educated. See the joy of entire communities as they get a source of clean drinking water for the first time, a new school or a cow that is an invaluable supply of milk or labour. Nothing makes me feel better than to get a letter saying thank you, we have sustainable agriculture and water and infrastructure now and no longer need assistance.
I have been doing this for 20 years now and you're right it is wise to ensure you are giving to legitimate causes. I currently budget nearly 30% of my income and make travels to see first hand the progress thats being made. The joy on faces and the little ones that eagerly embrace you and are excited to show off their new goat or the mattress they can now sleep on. One of my biggest thrills was a boy who loved marbles, I sent him a bag full and included 2 large shiny steel ones that I got from work. I loved marbles as a boy too and I was reminded of my own childhood when I received a letter describing how he was unbeatable. A superficial thing really, but for that little man to feel pride perhaps for the first time was something I totally related to.
We are not without our own that struggle in this country but we have the resources to help ourselves. For me that is evidenced even more when these people from far away take control of their lives and flourish on their own. I see the difference as some people are too proud to do whatever it takes to provide for themselves and others that discover the pride of being able to survive without the help of others. We have a great country and it would be perfect if everyone had enough to be taken care off, and realistically there is a fair bit more of my income that is taken so that the less fortunate have means to be provided for. There are strings attached but only to my heart, and they are constantly tugged on. Some people take enough slack to keep their hands tied, others pull themselves up and never look back.
