Hi Guys,

Figured i would let you know about this:

http://www.onehitwonder.org/

Its a great idea, Trying to get everyone to donate $1.

I actually know one of the people that are a Part of it.
They have gone to a lot of effort to get it going.

So check it out, and spread the word.

Now on Digg - Go and give it some support !
http://digg.com/world_news/What_if_every_Internet_user_donated_just_1_to_poverty_related_charities

Setting up a proper charity is a LOT of effort, specially if you want people to be able to claim it on tax.

from the website " ...we’d like to see how many people across the planet will give a dollar, and then we’ll give it away to the poorest communities in the world."

I don't know whether this is a scam or not, but lets assume that it is real and that they will be giving money away. Where is the money going? There doesn't seem to be any definite plan yet.
Well assume that it is going to get given to poor people around the world - I do not necessarily see that as a good thing.
I have spent the past five years in Africa and my opinion, for what it is worth, is that this constant drip drip drip of 'aid' is worse than useless. It seems to have bred a mentaility of dependence and destroyed anything resembling a work ethic.

If I had my way I would cut off all foreign aid to these countries. Unless they help themselves noone can help them. I really believe that.
Sorry if this has put a damper on the whole thing but I am so tired of seeing the inevitable disasters that result from 'charity' in Africa.

No, It is not a Scam.
They are registered as a business entity, And they have a proper Auditing company checking that everything actually runs as promised.

When you donate, You fill out a quick survey, Noting what you think the money should go to, What country or Area of the world, Whether it is food or medical supplies that they need, Etc.

As for your idea of not giving Aid to the countries that are in need, I see it slightly differently. Take Africa as an example, The British "Colonised" the country, And took it as their own. They introduced unknown disease, And made the native African people feel like they were the outcast scum of the world (mostly speculation on that part).

Australia, As a British colony in general, And all British colonies for that matter, have a responsibility to do something to help, Even if that is just a little trickle.. Don't forget, One of the most common things when you are sent to hospital is a saline drip.. That little trickle of Salt water directly into your blood stream, May not seem like it does anything.. But without it, You would most likley Dehydrate and die. Would you rather they left you in a state un-able to help yourself, So you could Shrivel up like a Prune ?

If anything, It is the fragmentation of charities That are offering Aid that is the problem. OneHitWonder.org Is not personally going to take the money, Or the goods to the country, They are going to give the money to an existing charity, One nice big chunk.

Now, if you are happy to sit by, Whilst Millions of people Die.. Go right ahead. I for one, Am happy to give a Dollar that might help save a life. Seems like a much better "waste" of a dollar than voting for some punk 17 year old kid on Australian Idol.. At least I know my money is MEANT to goto something aimed at a better world. Personally, Thats more than enough gratification for me.

One last point, to EVERYONE who reads this thread, Please, Go and contact any of the companies listed on the One Hit Wonder site BEFORE you attempt to slander it as a scam.. If the information you receive Indicates that it is a scam, by all means, Continue with your slander.. however, If it doesn't, Pull your foot out of your mouth, And donate.. If that means you cannot SMS Your mates for a day, Its a pretty low price to pay.

I don't really agree with that sentiment at all. I have to wonder whether you have ever visited Africa because what you have described does not seem to be the same picture that I have been looking at for the past five years.

"Australia, As a British colony in general, And all British colonies for that matter, have a responsibility to do something to help,"

My suggestion as to how to help Africa is to get the place off welfare and into work. The reason Africa is how it is is because nobody really wants to change. Africa has everything it needs to be self sufficient in everything. All that is lacking is a bit of effort.

"I for one, Am happy to give a Dollar that might help save a life."
Or a dollar that will help destroy an industry. Quick example: Zaire used to have a textile industry until thousands of shipping containers turned up full of western clothing from charity shops. All this was 'aid'. It was grabbed by customs officials, confiscated, sneaked off to the markets and then sold at ridiculously low prices. End result: Donors felt good, customs guys got rich, textile industry died overnight.

At least I know my money is MEANT to goto something aimed at a better world. Personally, Thats more than enough gratification for me.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Never more true than in Africa.

Where I live now, Nigeria, is an oil rich country. They place is a third world shithole despite the fact that they pull in tens of billions of dollars every year. Because they are oil rich they don't get so much charity. Oil money takes the place of foreign aid and is mostly squandered and stolen.

The aid that I have seen is usually given for the benefit of the donor rather than the recipient (it makes the donor feel good about themselves) and the effect of the donations is rarely measured or reported. Most schemes grind to a halt the day after the last white guy leaves the project and flies home.
If you really want to help Africa and you have money to spend then I would suggest that you visit the place for a week and get an understanding.
When I say Africa, I don't mean South Africa because that is just an extension of Europe. Visit one of the black African countries and see whether you feel that there is any point sending 'aid'.

"Aid is taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries"