Reluctant to Assist Flood Victims in Pakistan? August 16, 2010
Posted by atharkhan in : Personal , 9commentsI can understand the reluctance in helping the victims in Pakistan. After all, the country is implicated in virtually every negative story from corruption to terrorism. To make matters worse, the president (affectionately known as Mr. Ten Percent) has embezzled emergency relief funds in the past — and that understandably adds to the hesitation in helping the victims.
Figuring out which particular organization to support is another challenge. As an example, I refuse to support any religious charitable organization because I believe that their assistance comes with the implicit understanding that the victims subscribe to (or at least condone) their particular interpretation of religion.
So, I tried to search for an organization which:
(1) Is not based in Pakistan (so I never have to transfer funds there).
(2) Is not affiliated with any religion (especially any of the extremist interpretations of Islam).
(3) Has a presence on the ground (so that they can carry out the work themselves rather than handing funds over to some other organization).
I have found MercyCorps to fit the bill. So, if you would like to assist the victims, please do so here: http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/pakistani_peace_builders
Mrs. Yolande Henderson June 12, 2010
Posted by atharkhan in : Personal , add a commentMrs. Henderson was my favorite English teacher.
Chris Anderson (of TED) will be in Karachi June 4, 2010
Posted by atharkhan in : Personal , 2commentsChris Anderson, the curator of TED, will be in Karachi to launch TEDx Karachi. The event will be streamed live.
