I've just received an invitation for a "grand reunion dinner" for all people who were at my old school between 1971 and 1980. The dinner costs £50 per person, is black tie, and includes half a bottle of wine and half a bottle of water for the table, and calvados for the toast. (I think it unfair to name the school, so please excuse the reticence)
I suppose it is the puritan in me, but I have an idea in my own mind about what kind of prices are reasonable and excessive. When I reach price tags like £50 per person, what comes to mind is how that could feed a whole family for a week in Jersey, or even more how much it could help those starving in Africa.
Cafod (and Oxfam too, now) has for some years been promoting an idea called "World Gifts". You get a card, and recently a book token as well, with an insert detailing how your money is spent. The idea is that you select a specific gift, and the money goes to that end; it is not giving to a faceless organisation where the money may appear lost as "aid work" or "aid supplies".
I suppose it is the puritan in me, but I have an idea in my own mind about what kind of prices are reasonable and excessive. When I reach price tags like £50 per person, what comes to mind is how that could feed a whole family for a week in Jersey, or even more how much it could help those starving in Africa.
Cafod (and Oxfam too, now) has for some years been promoting an idea called "World Gifts". You get a card, and recently a book token as well, with an insert detailing how your money is spent. The idea is that you select a specific gift, and the money goes to that end; it is not giving to a faceless organisation where the money may appear lost as "aid work" or "aid supplies".
In fact, I think those are also necessary, and the Red Cross, in particular, is always on my list of organisations to give to, mainly because my mother was here in the Occupation (11 when the war ended), and might well have perished had it not been for the Red Cross and the Vega.
Returning to the matter in hand. Consider this school, offering £50 for a reunion meal, where a mere £7 can provide help to start schooling in Africa, where often children are excluded simply because they don't have the uniform, pen and books. No uniform, no school. I am afraid the former banquet of £50 seems more and more like a luxury, an indulgence that I could do without.
Why can't the school also do a reunion meal (for those who want it) which involves a simple meal, perhaps in this fine weather a picnic - they have a picnic area which was named after a past teacher, with plain water (or wine if you want to bring it), and still charge £50, so that the monies raised, like those from a Lent lunch, could go towards helping those less privileged? I would support that wholeheartedly. I am all for simple meals, and mere bread and wine can indeed be a feast.
In the meantime, here is a selection of the Cafod World Gifts. I will be putting my money where my mouth isn't and spending my money this way!
World Gifts is a range of alternative gifts that act as two presents in one - something for you to give to friends or a relatives at special occasions, whilst the real gift can help change the life of someone living in poverty.
School starter packs - £7
School starter packs - £7
Without simple things like pens, books and uniforms many children can't go to school. This gift gets top marks for providing the essentials every budding scholar needs to shine - and to help them escape from poverty. The gift also helps to pay school fees and, because children need full stomachs to concentrate, it also includes their daily meals. The perfect gift to feed young minds and bodies!
Seeds and tools - £10
In conflicts around the world, thousands of families have been driven away from their homes and land, and precious crops have withered and died. This gift of seeds and essential tools will help displaced families grow new crops so that they can rebuild their lives.
Pair of piglets - £25
From little piglets, big piggies grow, which can be sold to provide poor rural families with a vital additional income to pay for extra food or education for their children. These pigs come as a pair and will breed so this present can go on giving for years to come!
Pair of piglets - £25
From little piglets, big piggies grow, which can be sold to provide poor rural families with a vital additional income to pay for extra food or education for their children. These pigs come as a pair and will breed so this present can go on giving for years to come!
Water - £30
Splash out on this potentially life-saving gift of clean, safe water. Your gift can help provide fresh water to a family, reducing the risk that they may fall ill or die from contaminated water. They will have clean, safe water for drinking, cooking and washing.
Medicines - £35
Medicines - £35
Your gift could pay for two months' supply of drugs to help improve the health of a person with HIV and AIDS, preventing life-threatening infections such as tuberculosis and pneumonia. There is no cure for HIV and AIDS, but these drugs will help people live longer and more comfortable lives
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