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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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I'm sure Miss Valentine meant well, but what happens when the shoes wear out?
How long will the 800 pairs of shoes last for the children who need them? It seems cruel to me to give them shoes and have them suffer the pain and
blisters of becoming accustomed to them, only to have them wear out before a permanent solution to shoelessness is found. And then they experience
going without on feet that have softened from a few months of comfort.
So until a political solution is found for the many problems and injustices of deep poverty, maybe it is better to bring blankets and jackets, or to
work for a more permanent end to economic suffering.
Of course this probably wasn't the thought process of the Mexican customs official.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paula
It seems cruel to me to give them shoes and have them suffer the pain and blisters of becoming accustomed to them, only to have them wear out before
a permanent solution to shoelessness is found. |
The only permanent solution these people will see is the end of the world. I hope it comes after the shelf life of used shoes.
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jodiego
Nomad
Posts: 319
Registered: 2-16-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: ever hopeful
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I kind of feel the same way about bicycles. We give these children bikes and they have no resources to fix them when they start to fall apart, and
believe me they will fall apart. And usually, helmets are not included in the giving. I used to work at a childrens center and we would get bikes
donated all the time. BUT, we had a volunteer group come in once a month to fix them, and they could barely keep up with the maintenance. We were
also lucky enough to get helmets donated too.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64855
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Presents given at Christmas don't always last forever... Not sure why the shoes, bikes, clothes are any different?
To experience someones kindness is a good thing and can have lasting effects... teaches the wealth of giving and not of just receiving. 
To have loved and lost is better than to not ever have loved at all... someone once said!
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
I kind of feel the same way about bicycles. We give these children bikes and they have no resources to fix them when they start to fall apart, and
believe me they will fall apart. And usually, helmets are not included in the giving. I used to work at a childrens center and we would get bikes
donated all the time. BUT, we had a volunteer group come in once a month to fix them, and they could barely keep up with the maintenance. We were
also lucky enough to get helmets donated too. |
The kids for the Nomad bike project have all received helmets. Each "camp" has been given a repair kit for tires. And we have someone out there
teaching them how to make needed repairs.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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This is incredible. Too poor to replace the items given them, so dont give them at all?????
What about food donations for the poor? Wont they eventually EAT the food and then it will be gone and they may not get any for a while? Better to let
them starve?
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Paula
Super Nomad
Posts: 2219
Registered: 1-5-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Hook
This is incredible. Too poor to replace the items given them, so dont give them at all?????
What about food donations for the poor? Wont they eventually EAT the food and then it will be gone and they may not get any for a while? Better to let
them starve? |
In my post I was refering only to shoes. Going barefoot isn't ideal, but if you have to do it it may be better to do it consistently, keeping the
feet hardened and conditioned to harsh conditions. It is really painful walking barefoot when your feet are softened by months of not having to do
it. So food, clothing, bycycles, books, toothbrushes, toys-- go for it! Just be careful about shoes unless you're willing to provide a long term
supply of them.
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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I have been bringing down new shoes now for many many years and am sure they total in the thousands of pairs; I have a very benevolent friend that has
many stores and he donates them to me...right now he has 600 pairs of new shoes that I will attempt to smuggle in when I drive down in three weeks. I
will not try to hide this fact. NO ONE can convince me that donating shoes to folks that don't have any is not good..that is CRAZY! Get a grip on
reality!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
Member Is Offline
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mulegemichael -
Great thing you are doing. I am sure most everyone there appreciates your efforts.
Nice of your friend to be so generous!
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Paula had a good point. It would have made more sense had she referred to Tahiti but, her thoughts were in the right place. There are lots of ways
to look at this human tragedy.
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jodiego
Nomad
Posts: 319
Registered: 2-16-2007
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: ever hopeful
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
| Quote: | Originally posted by jodiego
I kind of feel the same way about bicycles. We give these children bikes and they have no resources to fix them when they start to fall apart, and
believe me they will fall apart. And usually, helmets are not included in the giving. I used to work at a childrens center and we would get bikes
donated all the time. BUT, we had a volunteer group come in once a month to fix them, and they could barely keep up with the maintenance. We were
also lucky enough to get helmets donated too. |
The kids for the Nomad bike project have all received helmets. Each "camp" has been given a repair kit for tires. And we have someone out there
teaching them how to make needed repairs. |
That's awesome Bajabound, keep up the great work.
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3401
Registered: 3-24-2007
Location: The Valley of the Moon
Member Is Offline
Mood: Peacefull
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Presents given at Christmas don't always last forever... Not sure why the shoes, bikes, clothes are any different?
To experience someones kindness is a good thing and can have lasting effects... teaches the wealth of giving and not of just receiving.
To have loved and lost is better than to not ever have loved at all... someone once said! |
Here you go David,
From Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem In Memoriam:27, 1850:
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
Have a great day!
CaboRon
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Eugenio
Nomad
Posts: 206
Registered: 4-23-2008
Location: Navojoa, Son.
Member Is Offline
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Go to any of the mini storage facilities on the border and just start asking around how to pass things with out paying - you'll find the person to
talk to - a pickup full should cost you about $50. Check points further down are another story.
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