in 2004 at the end of 2004 I found myself in a place I never imagined I’d
myself in a place I never imagined I’d
myself in a place I never imagined I’d be in the blistering heat and humidity
be in the blistering heat and humidity
be in the blistering heat and humidity the south of Thailand surrounded by
the south of Thailand surrounded by
the south of Thailand surrounded by flies and the stench of death walking
flies and the stench of death walking
flies and the stench of death walking through fields filled with bodies trying
through fields filled with bodies trying
through fields filled with bodies trying to find something of value to offer into
to find something of value to offer into
to find something of value to offer into that horrible chaotic mess
that horrible chaotic mess
that horrible chaotic mess we had just been rocked the day before
we had just been rocked the day before
we had just been rocked the day before by a giant tsunami I’ll never forget it
by a giant tsunami I’ll never forget it
by a giant tsunami I’ll never forget it rewind five years and I was walking
rewind five years and I was walking
rewind five years and I was walking downtown Ottawa down the street I had a
downtown Ottawa down the street I had a
downtown Ottawa down the street I had a good high tech kid going on it was
good high tech kid going on it was
good high tech kid going on it was Christmas time there’s a winter chill in
Christmas time there’s a winter chill in
Christmas time there’s a winter chill in the air I probably had about half my
the air I probably had about half my
the air I probably had about half my mind on my work for that day and half on
mind on my work for that day and half on
mind on my work for that day and half on my beautiful baby girl waiting for me
my beautiful baby girl waiting for me
my beautiful baby girl waiting for me back home how in such a few years that I
back home how in such a few years that I
back home how in such a few years that I find myself in such a different place
find myself in such a different place
find myself in such a different place well it’s a long story and I did be
well it’s a long story and I did be
well it’s a long story and I did be happy to go for coffee with any of you
happy to go for coffee with any of you
happy to go for coffee with any of you and tell you but for tonight let me just
and tell you but for tonight let me just
and tell you but for tonight let me just say I was made aware of a need that
say I was made aware of a need that
say I was made aware of a need that broke my heart and I decided to do
broke my heart and I decided to do
broke my heart and I decided to do something about it in the work that we
something about it in the work that we
something about it in the work that we now do and have for 13 years on the Thai
now do and have for 13 years on the Thai
now do and have for 13 years on the Thai and Myanmar border I have encountered
and Myanmar border I have encountered
and Myanmar border I have encountered some of the saddest situations of abuse
some of the saddest situations of abuse
some of the saddest situations of abuse families surviving on garbage dumps
families surviving on garbage dumps
families surviving on garbage dumps people’s lives ripped apart by predators
people’s lives ripped apart by predators
people’s lives ripped apart by predators and traffickers and even choices parents
and traffickers and even choices parents
and traffickers and even choices parents have made to give away or even sell
have made to give away or even sell
have made to give away or even sell their children I have sat with eaten
their children I have sat with eaten
their children I have sat with eaten with and tried to console victims and
with and tried to console victims and
with and tried to console victims and with others honestly I’ve just cried
with others honestly I’ve just cried
with others honestly I’ve just cried without any idea of what to do I want to
without any idea of what to do I want to
without any idea of what to do I want to tell you about how passionate I am for
tell you about how passionate I am for
tell you about how passionate I am for this I am passionate to see people
this I am passionate to see people
this I am passionate to see people lifted out of poverty I am passionate
lifted out of poverty I am passionate
lifted out of poverty I am passionate about seeing them brought to the place
about seeing them brought to the place
about seeing them brought to the place where their have a sense of dignity and
where their have a sense of dignity and
where their have a sense of dignity and they’re no longer dependent on handouts
they’re no longer dependent on handouts
they’re no longer dependent on handouts I am also a firm believer in the power
I am also a firm believer in the power
I am also a firm believer in the power of giving to change us the giver to
of giving to change us the giver to
of giving to change us the giver to release us from these small worlds of
release us from these small worlds of
release us from these small worlds of consumption that we live in and redeem
consumption that we live in and redeem
consumption that we live in and redeem our society’s soul that’s why I bring to
our society’s soul that’s why I bring to
our society’s soul that’s why I bring to you today this mess
you today this mess
you today this mess please stop giving to charity let me try
please stop giving to charity let me try
please stop giving to charity let me try that one more time please stop giving
that one more time please stop giving
that one more time please stop giving too bad charity why do I find myself
too bad charity why do I find myself
too bad charity why do I find myself lately telling as many people to stop
lately telling as many people to stop
lately telling as many people to stop giving to charity or to take a really
giving to charity or to take a really
giving to charity or to take a really good look at what it is that they’re
good look at what it is that they’re
good look at what it is that they’re giving to as I’m telling others to get
giving to as I’m telling others to get
giving to as I’m telling others to get off their butts and get generous well
off their butts and get generous well
off their butts and get generous well I’ll tell you I have seen the damage
I’ll tell you I have seen the damage
I’ll tell you I have seen the damage that good hearts big checks and bad
that good hearts big checks and bad
that good hearts big checks and bad ideas can visit on the poor our
ideas can visit on the poor our
ideas can visit on the poor our experience is overseas so that’s where I
experience is overseas so that’s where I
experience is overseas so that’s where I want to take us today to look at some of
want to take us today to look at some of
want to take us today to look at some of these areas so first of all don’t give
these areas so first of all don’t give
these areas so first of all don’t give to charity if the charity implements and
to charity if the charity implements and
to charity if the charity implements and sells you on ideas that we have already
sells you on ideas that we have already
sells you on ideas that we have already rejected for ourselves okay another big
rejected for ourselves okay another big
rejected for ourselves okay another big topic I want to focus on one that’s very
topic I want to focus on one that’s very
topic I want to focus on one that’s very widespread and as a dad honestly breaks
widespread and as a dad honestly breaks
widespread and as a dad honestly breaks my heart so I want everyone here to
my heart so I want everyone here to
my heart so I want everyone here to close your eyes not scary at the very
close your eyes not scary at the very
close your eyes not scary at the very least it’s your first now for the day I
least it’s your first now for the day I
least it’s your first now for the day I want you to picture your children if you
want you to picture your children if you
want you to picture your children if you have children and at an age where
have children and at an age where
have children and at an age where they’re innocent four or five years old
they’re innocent four or five years old
they’re innocent four or five years old life is ahead of them there’s a joy in
life is ahead of them there’s a joy in
life is ahead of them there’s a joy in their step now if something were to have
their step now if something were to have
their step now if something were to have happened tragically to you or your
happened tragically to you or your
happened tragically to you or your spouse or your partner that you are not
spouse or your partner that you are not
spouse or your partner that you are not able to take care of them what would you
able to take care of them what would you
able to take care of them what would you do where would they go how would they
do where would they go how would they
do where would they go how would they feel what it ever enter your mind to
feel what it ever enter your mind to
feel what it ever enter your mind to sign them over to the state and watch
sign them over to the state and watch
sign them over to the state and watch them be led off and institutionalized
them be led off and institutionalized
them be led off and institutionalized well we have done this just not with our
well we have done this just not with our
well we have done this just not with our children and not too long ago you can
children and not too long ago you can
children and not too long ago you can open your eyes now
open your eyes now
open your eyes now Australia’s stolen generation Britain’s
Australia’s stolen generation Britain’s
Australia’s stolen generation Britain’s lost children and as we’ve heard
lost children and as we’ve heard
lost children and as we’ve heard Canada’s residential schools through
Canada’s residential schools through
Canada’s residential schools through children innocent children we harmed
children innocent children we harmed
children innocent children we harmed whole cultures and communities in ways
whole cultures and communities in ways
whole cultures and communities in ways that will take many many generations to
that will take many many generations to
that will take many many generations to heal well but at least that was the past
heal well but at least that was the past
heal well but at least that was the past we’ve learned from our mistakes haven’t
we’ve learned from our mistakes haven’t
we’ve learned from our mistakes haven’t we have we today individual
we have we today individual
we have we today individual charities churches that even volunteer
charities churches that even volunteer
charities churches that even volunteer tourism will pour money into the exact
tourism will pour money into the exact
tourism will pour money into the exact same sorts of things whether they’re
same sorts of things whether they’re
same sorts of things whether they’re called orphanages children’s homes
called orphanages children’s homes
called orphanages children’s homes residents in developing nations we are
residents in developing nations we are
residents in developing nations we are harming children when we know better I
harming children when we know better I
harming children when we know better I remember the first time that we took our
remember the first time that we took our
remember the first time that we took our team in to do assessments in orphanages
team in to do assessments in orphanages
team in to do assessments in orphanages overseas we have social workers that do
overseas we have social workers that do
overseas we have social workers that do this and what we found time and time
this and what we found time and time
this and what we found time and time again where little kids filling rows of
again where little kids filling rows of
again where little kids filling rows of bunks telling us how much they missed
bunks telling us how much they missed
bunks telling us how much they missed their families yes their families nearly
their families yes their families nearly
their families yes their families nearly 80 percent of the children that we
80 percent of the children that we
80 percent of the children that we encountered had families that they could
encountered had families that they could
encountered had families that they could be living with and yet they were in
be living with and yet they were in
be living with and yet they were in residential care I remember this one
residential care I remember this one
residential care I remember this one little girl she was about six years old
little girl she was about six years old
little girl she was about six years old about the same ages I had a daughter six
about the same ages I had a daughter six
about the same ages I had a daughter six at the same time what she told us was
at the same time what she told us was
at the same time what she told us was what made her most sad is that when she
what made her most sad is that when she
what made her most sad is that when she was sick her mommy wasn’t there to
was sick her mommy wasn’t there to
was sick her mommy wasn’t there to comfort her her mom lived maybe two
comfort her her mom lived maybe two
comfort her her mom lived maybe two villages over but she would rarely see
villages over but she would rarely see
villages over but she would rarely see her what we found is this is a common
her what we found is this is a common
her what we found is this is a common place all over the developing world
place all over the developing world
place all over the developing world children as young as 3 to 4 years old
children as young as 3 to 4 years old
children as young as 3 to 4 years old who could be living at home stuck in
who could be living at home stuck in
who could be living at home stuck in residential care and believe me I’ve
residential care and believe me I’ve
residential care and believe me I’ve heard all the excuses from founders
heard all the excuses from founders
heard all the excuses from founders funders directors on why these things
funders directors on why these things
funders directors on why these things exist well these children are from very
exist well these children are from very
exist well these children are from very poor families we need to help them or
poor families we need to help them or
poor families we need to help them or there’s no adequate education in their
there’s no adequate education in their
there’s no adequate education in their villages we need to bring them here or
villages we need to bring them here or
villages we need to bring them here or well if we have them here we can bring
well if we have them here we can bring
well if we have them here we can bring them to church and teach them about God
them to church and teach them about God
them to church and teach them about God more easily
more easily
more easily you know what these should sound very
you know what these should sound very
you know what these should sound very familiar to any of us who are familiar
familiar to any of us who are familiar
familiar to any of us who are familiar with our own dark history I even found
with our own dark history I even found
with our own dark history I even found there was one American funder who told
there was one American funder who told
there was one American funder who told me when I met him over there at one of
me when I met him over there at one of
me when I met him over there at one of these orphanages who said if we don’t
these orphanages who said if we don’t
these orphanages who said if we don’t have these children here all of them
have these children here all of them
have these children here all of them will be sex slaves and I looked at him I
will be sex slaves and I looked at him I
will be sex slaves and I looked at him I said really all 300 he was very missed
said really all 300 he was very missed
said really all 300 he was very missed he was misinformed on this it was
he was misinformed on this it was
he was misinformed on this it was absolutely untrue but it sure makes a
absolutely untrue but it sure makes a
absolutely untrue but it sure makes a good fundraising line doesn’t it there
good fundraising line doesn’t it there
good fundraising line doesn’t it there are cases of course and will you deal
are cases of course and will you deal
are cases of course and will you deal with these regularly where children are
with these regularly where children are
with these regularly where children are not able to cope in their situations
not able to cope in their situations
not able to cope in their situations there’s abuse act of abuse and neglect
there’s abuse act of abuse and neglect
there’s abuse act of abuse and neglect going on and there are temporary times
going on and there are temporary times
going on and there are temporary times where we need to intervene and come in
where we need to intervene and come in
where we need to intervene and come in but this should only be temporary
but this should only be temporary
but this should only be temporary resident care should be the absolute
resident care should be the absolute
resident care should be the absolute last option after everything else is
last option after everything else is
last option after everything else is explored and then even then it should be
explored and then even then it should be
explored and then even then it should be temporary children should be with their
temporary children should be with their
temporary children should be with their families in their communities within
families in their communities within
families in their communities within their cultures not taken out there was
their cultures not taken out there was
their cultures not taken out there was one lady I remember that came to our our
one lady I remember that came to our our
one lady I remember that came to our our organization and brought her little baby
organization and brought her little baby
organization and brought her little baby this is the first time it happened and
this is the first time it happened and
this is the first time it happened and happened many times after cutest little
happened many times after cutest little
happened many times after cutest little thing and she said I want you to take my
thing and she said I want you to take my
thing and she said I want you to take my baby and our staff have been trained in
baby and our staff have been trained in
baby and our staff have been trained in how to deal with this and how in family
how to deal with this and how in family
how to deal with this and how in family preservation and how to help people in
preservation and how to help people in
preservation and how to help people in communities in their cultures and so she
communities in their cultures and so she
communities in their cultures and so she simply asked this lady a question don’t
simply asked this lady a question don’t
simply asked this lady a question don’t you love your baby
you love your baby
you love your baby the lady was taken aback and then she’d
the lady was taken aback and then she’d
the lady was taken aback and then she’d burst into tears the answer was obvious
burst into tears the answer was obvious
burst into tears the answer was obvious she followed it with a second question
she followed it with a second question
she followed it with a second question and this is a question that most of the
and this is a question that most of the
and this is a question that most of the orphanages that I’ve known would not ask
orphanages that I’ve known would not ask
orphanages that I’ve known would not ask they would book the child in she said
they would book the child in she said
they would book the child in she said what can we do to help you raise your
what can we do to help you raise your
what can we do to help you raise your child
child
child sometimes all mom needs is a little help
sometimes all mom needs is a little help
sometimes all mom needs is a little help that week a little respite care a little
that week a little respite care a little
that week a little respite care a little help with food perhaps there’s something
help with food perhaps there’s something
help with food perhaps there’s something going on the home that needs some sort
going on the home that needs some sort
going on the home that needs some sort of counseling or care or maybe there’s a
of counseling or care or maybe there’s a
of counseling or care or maybe there’s a resource that she has access to that she
resource that she has access to that she
resource that she has access to that she doesn’t even know just because a family
doesn’t even know just because a family
doesn’t even know just because a family is a poor family doesn’t mean it’s a bad
is a poor family doesn’t mean it’s a bad
is a poor family doesn’t mean it’s a bad family and that they can’t raise their
family and that they can’t raise their
family and that they can’t raise their kids on their own okay
kids on their own okay
kids on their own okay second thing don’t give to charity when
second thing don’t give to charity when
second thing don’t give to charity when the charity caters to donors at the
the charity caters to donors at the
the charity caters to donors at the expense of effective sustainable
expense of effective sustainable
expense of effective sustainable transformation or the cost of human
transformation or the cost of human
transformation or the cost of human dignity we know now that throwing stuff
dignity we know now that throwing stuff
dignity we know now that throwing stuff at problems only perpetuates poverty it
at problems only perpetuates poverty it
at problems only perpetuates poverty it makes the problem bigger whether it’s in
makes the problem bigger whether it’s in
makes the problem bigger whether it’s in the macro decimation of whole industries
the macro decimation of whole industries
the macro decimation of whole industries across Africa when we thought we were
across Africa when we thought we were
across Africa when we thought we were being
being
being generous and being good rather than
generous and being good rather than
generous and being good rather than opening up business opportunities for
opening up business opportunities for
opening up business opportunities for Africans we threw a bunch of stuff in
Africans we threw a bunch of stuff in
Africans we threw a bunch of stuff in and patted ourselves on the back and we
and patted ourselves on the back and we
and patted ourselves on the back and we wrecked things for them or a small
wrecked things for them or a small
wrecked things for them or a small noodle shop in Asia who’s forced out of
noodle shop in Asia who’s forced out of
noodle shop in Asia who’s forced out of business and can’t feed his family
business and can’t feed his family
business and can’t feed his family because we’ve done charitable food
because we’ve done charitable food
because we’ve done charitable food deliveries I remember 2013 I had a
deliveries I remember 2013 I had a
deliveries I remember 2013 I had a charity director come to me with a
charity director come to me with a
charity director come to me with a really interesting problem he said we
really interesting problem he said we
really interesting problem he said we have a huge container full of stops
have a huge container full of stops
have a huge container full of stops sitting in the port in Bangkok but we
sitting in the port in Bangkok but we
sitting in the port in Bangkok but we can’t afford the import fees the story
can’t afford the import fees the story
can’t afford the import fees the story goes something like this a group in
goes something like this a group in
goes something like this a group in Australia had wanted to help them help
Australia had wanted to help them help
Australia had wanted to help them help poor children they were they wanted to
poor children they were they wanted to
poor children they were they wanted to send some stuff for them so things like
send some stuff for them so things like
send some stuff for them so things like what do we have here toothpaste
what do we have here toothpaste
what do we have here toothpaste toothbrushes soap that would be good
toothbrushes soap that would be good
toothbrushes soap that would be good when the director tried to explain to
when the director tried to explain to
when the director tried to explain to him that everything that they wanted to
him that everything that they wanted to
him that everything that they wanted to send a cute little toy was already
send a cute little toy was already
send a cute little toy was already readily available locally and at a
readily available locally and at a
readily available locally and at a fraction of the cost
fraction of the cost
fraction of the cost well the donor pushed back he said
well the donor pushed back he said
well the donor pushed back he said simply sending a check even though
simply sending a check even though
simply sending a check even though you’ve told me that this would be more
you’ve told me that this would be more
you’ve told me that this would be more helpful to empower local things and
helpful to empower local things and
helpful to empower local things and local initiatives wouldn’t give us the
local initiatives wouldn’t give us the
local initiatives wouldn’t give us the type of experience that we’re looking
type of experience that we’re looking
type of experience that we’re looking for when we give it wouldn’t give them
for when we give it wouldn’t give them
for when we give it wouldn’t give them the type of experience that they were
the type of experience that they were
the type of experience that they were looking for as far as I know that
looking for as far as I know that
looking for as far as I know that container is still stuck somewhere in
container is still stuck somewhere in
container is still stuck somewhere in the port in Bangkok dumb right well I
the port in Bangkok dumb right well I
the port in Bangkok dumb right well I don’t know if this is seem familiar to
don’t know if this is seem familiar to
don’t know if this is seem familiar to some of you here as I’ve been packing
some of you here as I’ve been packing
some of you here as I’ve been packing this this year families across Canada
this this year families across Canada
this this year families across Canada the US and other wealthy nations will
the US and other wealthy nations will
the US and other wealthy nations will collect enough stuff going out to stores
collect enough stuff going out to stores
collect enough stuff going out to stores like Walmart Toys R Us
like Walmart Toys R Us
like Walmart Toys R Us Costco Shoppers Drug Mart to fill a
Costco Shoppers Drug Mart to fill a
Costco Shoppers Drug Mart to fill a small box these boxes will be collected
small box these boxes will be collected
small box these boxes will be collected put into shipping containers and sent to
put into shipping containers and sent to
put into shipping containers and sent to poor children overseas if the children
poor children overseas if the children
poor children overseas if the children happen to open the box and we’re curious
happen to open the box and we’re curious
happen to open the box and we’re curious enough to look they might see that half
enough to look they might see that half
enough to look they might see that half the stuff in this box is actually
the stuff in this box is actually
the stuff in this box is actually manufactured in their country or a
manufactured in their country or a
manufactured in their country or a country next door at a fraction of the
country next door at a fraction of the
country next door at a fraction of the cost
cost
cost the happy Canadian Packer paid for it if
the happy Canadian Packer paid for it if
the happy Canadian Packer paid for it if they happen to have an uncle who sells
they happen to have an uncle who sells
they happen to have an uncle who sells the same sort of stuff in a small shop
the same sort of stuff in a small shop
the same sort of stuff in a small shop next door to feed his family they might
next door to feed his family they might
next door to feed his family they might also hear how its impacted him in 2015
also hear how its impacted him in 2015
also hear how its impacted him in 2015 one organization one program alone
one organization one program alone
one organization one program alone claims to have sent over 10 million
claims to have sent over 10 million
claims to have sent over 10 million boxes from wealthy families to poor
boxes from wealthy families to poor
boxes from wealthy families to poor families 10 million
families 10 million
families 10 million I’m sure the Canadian Packers felt that
I’m sure the Canadian Packers felt that
I’m sure the Canadian Packers felt that they’ve done a really good charitable
they’ve done a really good charitable
they’ve done a really good charitable deed and had actually been able to have
deed and had actually been able to have
deed and had actually been able to have fun with it and teach their children
fun with it and teach their children
fun with it and teach their children about the charity I don’t even know
about the charity I don’t even know
about the charity I don’t even know where to get started on this which angle
where to get started on this which angle
where to get started on this which angle to take there’s so many we’re businessí
to take there’s so many we’re businessí
to take there’s so many we’re businessí people here let’s do them out ok say a
people here let’s do them out ok say a
people here let’s do them out ok say a box like this cost twenty twenty-five
box like this cost twenty twenty-five
box like this cost twenty twenty-five dollars to fill no not the not the
dollars to fill no not the not the
dollars to fill no not the not the shipping not the salaries not all of the
shipping not the salaries not all of the
shipping not the salaries not all of the other things the marketing that goes
other things the marketing that goes
other things the marketing that goes into running this massive program just a
into running this massive program just a
into running this massive program just a stunt that’s effectively two hundred and
stunt that’s effectively two hundred and
stunt that’s effectively two hundred and fifty million dollars a quarter of a
fifty million dollars a quarter of a
fifty million dollars a quarter of a billion dollars that rich nations have
billion dollars that rich nations have
billion dollars that rich nations have diverted from poor nations economies
diverted from poor nations economies
diverted from poor nations economies they get our stuff and we get to keep
they get our stuff and we get to keep
they get our stuff and we get to keep the money now that’s a great trade deal
the money now that’s a great trade deal
the money now that’s a great trade deal that’s just one organization there are
that’s just one organization there are
that’s just one organization there are countless groups sending anything from
countless groups sending anything from
countless groups sending anything from soap to shoes to even used milk bags
soap to shoes to even used milk bags
soap to shoes to even used milk bags overseas now I understand that my grasp
overseas now I understand that my grasp
overseas now I understand that my grasp of economics is probably quite limited
of economics is probably quite limited
of economics is probably quite limited there may be some economists squirming
there may be some economists squirming
there may be some economists squirming in your seats the main point I want to
in your seats the main point I want to
in your seats the main point I want to make is this that if we are truly
make is this that if we are truly
make is this that if we are truly committed to eradicating poverty like we
committed to eradicating poverty like we
committed to eradicating poverty like we say we are and really being responsible
say we are and really being responsible
say we are and really being responsible citizens stuff is going in the wrong
citizens stuff is going in the wrong
citizens stuff is going in the wrong direction another big point I want to
direction another big point I want to
direction another big point I want to add on to this is the problem of
add on to this is the problem of
add on to this is the problem of perpetuating wrong thinking that stuff
perpetuating wrong thinking that stuff
perpetuating wrong thinking that stuff fixes problems that we are necessary
fixes problems that we are necessary
fixes problems that we are necessary saviors and that people in developing
saviors and that people in developing
saviors and that people in developing nations are helpless without us
nations are helpless without us
nations are helpless without us okay I did not come here to bash
okay I did not come here to bash
okay I did not come here to bash charities I love charities I work with
charities I love charities I work with
charities I love charities I work with cherries I even run a charity so it’s
cherries I even run a charity so it’s
cherries I even run a charity so it’s always easy though to point a finger
always easy though to point a finger
always easy though to point a finger isn’t it it’s fun well what are you
isn’t it it’s fun well what are you
isn’t it it’s fun well what are you doing when you’re pointing one finger
doing when you’re pointing one finger
doing when you’re pointing one finger that way what’s happening three fingers
that way what’s happening three fingers
that way what’s happening three fingers pointing right back at you is it
pointing right back at you is it
pointing right back at you is it possible that we the donors are the root
possible that we the donors are the root
possible that we the donors are the root of this problem it is hard to do charity
of this problem it is hard to do charity
of this problem it is hard to do charity my friend mark reminds me says well
my friend mark reminds me says well
my friend mark reminds me says well Allen you know it’s a golden rule he who
Allen you know it’s a golden rule he who
Allen you know it’s a golden rule he who has the gold gets to make the rules and
has the gold gets to make the rules and
has the gold gets to make the rules and very much so for charities charities are
very much so for charities charities are
very much so for charities charities are always under budget under pressure under
always under budget under pressure under
always under budget under pressure under massive scrutiny not only to do what is
massive scrutiny not only to do what is
massive scrutiny not only to do what is good for the people on the ground but
good for the people on the ground but
good for the people on the ground but also to dance to the secondary tune
also to dance to the secondary tune
also to dance to the secondary tune trying to capture your attention trying
trying to capture your attention trying
trying to capture your attention trying to make you feel good by offering you
to make you feel good by offering you
to make you feel good by offering you things maybe a trip to build a family a
things maybe a trip to build a family a
things maybe a trip to build a family a home in Mexico what do you think that
home in Mexico what do you think that
home in Mexico what do you think that does to the local industry maybe to go
does to the local industry maybe to go
does to the local industry maybe to go and visit your child in an orphanage or
and visit your child in an orphanage or
and visit your child in an orphanage or have your company’s logo or plaque put
have your company’s logo or plaque put
have your company’s logo or plaque put on an orphanage law none of these things
on an orphanage law none of these things
on an orphanage law none of these things actually contribute to the programs
actually contribute to the programs
actually contribute to the programs they’re at very least distracting and at
they’re at very least distracting and at
they’re at very least distracting and at times can be downright damaging so how
times can be downright damaging so how
times can be downright damaging so how can we be good donors you know the first
can we be good donors you know the first
can we be good donors you know the first thing it really really generous we’ve
thing it really really generous we’ve
thing it really really generous we’ve been going downhill Canada for the last
been going downhill Canada for the last
been going downhill Canada for the last ten years on our generosity don’t be
ten years on our generosity don’t be
ten years on our generosity don’t be scared to be generous however look into
scared to be generous however look into
scared to be generous however look into what you are contributing to what are
what you are contributing to what are
what you are contributing to what are they doing on the ground are they
they doing on the ground are they
they doing on the ground are they actually coming alongside communities
actually coming alongside communities
actually coming alongside communities and families to empower to lift them to
and families to empower to lift them to
and families to empower to lift them to a place of dignity and pride and hope
a place of dignity and pride and hope
a place of dignity and pride and hope for the future or are they perpetuating
for the future or are they perpetuating
for the future or are they perpetuating poverty in a way that creates its
poverty in a way that creates its
poverty in a way that creates its ongoing dependency on us one of the
ongoing dependency on us one of the
ongoing dependency on us one of the asset tests that I like to say is if my
asset tests that I like to say is if my
asset tests that I like to say is if my children if the tables were flipped in
children if the tables were flipped in
children if the tables were flipped in my children were on the other side of
my children were on the other side of
my children were on the other side of this what I want them receiving this
this what I want them receiving this
this what I want them receiving this program may be you have a blank thing
program may be you have a blank thing
program may be you have a blank thing like how am I supposed to know this well
like how am I supposed to know this well
like how am I supposed to know this well there’s ways to
there’s ways to
there’s ways to I know if you really want to there’s
I know if you really want to there’s
I know if you really want to there’s things you can read there’s things that
things you can read there’s things that
things you can read there’s things that you can look at there’s people you can
you can look at there’s people you can
you can look at there’s people you can ask to say is this what we want to
ask to say is this what we want to
ask to say is this what we want to contribute anything else we invest in in
contribute anything else we invest in in
contribute anything else we invest in in life whether it’s the next car are the
life whether it’s the next car are the
life whether it’s the next car are the tires for it or a retirement savings we
tires for it or a retirement savings we
tires for it or a retirement savings we ask for input how much more important
ask for input how much more important
ask for input how much more important when we’re impacting potentially
when we’re impacting potentially
when we’re impacting potentially multiple generations of vulnerable
multiple generations of vulnerable
multiple generations of vulnerable children their communities and their
children their communities and their
children their communities and their families we need to look into it it may
families we need to look into it it may
families we need to look into it it may also in looking into it
also in looking into it
also in looking into it be the very thing that makes you aware
be the very thing that makes you aware
be the very thing that makes you aware of a need that will break your heart and
of a need that will break your heart and
of a need that will break your heart and lead you into an amazing next adventure
lead you into an amazing next adventure
lead you into an amazing next adventure it’s like it did for me as we enter into
it’s like it did for me as we enter into
it’s like it did for me as we enter into this next 150 years as a generous giving
this next 150 years as a generous giving
this next 150 years as a generous giving nation let’s get really really generous
nation let’s get really really generous
nation let’s get really really generous but let’s be charity wise let’s make
but let’s be charity wise let’s make
but let’s be charity wise let’s make sure that we’re being wise even picky to
sure that we’re being wise even picky to
sure that we’re being wise even picky to be a part of what works not what hurts
be a part of what works not what hurts
be a part of what works not what hurts thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
”
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