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Old 10-20-2011, 11:38 AM   #95
JohnnyB
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Originally Posted by GirlySports View Post
I think those are more isolated cases that nobody knew about in order to help. It 'we' had known then 'we' would have help. The government has programs in place to help.

The Chinese story was a 'bystander' one.

Johnny might confirm or dispute this but there are no charities or united way in China. Or drop-in center or foster care. You're on your own.
There certainly are charitable organizations working in China, but I understand that the government also makes it very difficult for charitable organizations to get any kind of formal recognition as such, meaning that they have to provide their aid 'under the table' as it were and cannot collect donations as such. I also understand that Guangzhou has recently opened up for charitable organizations though and will more openly recognize them now.

Even so, there is definitely a great deal of distrust in China for charitable organizations, which many people just expect to basically be taking donations for themselves. The atmosphere of corruption and frequent scamming and cheating does not lend itself well to a lot of charitable work. Spend some time in China and you will see a lot of people, very frequently kids who certainly are in need of help but have been mutilated by someone to increase people's sympathy and are being forced to work the streets collecting change. It is brutal, and an example of the degree to which people here need to be suspicious of those around them trying to get anything for free.
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Last edited by JohnnyB; 10-20-2011 at 11:41 AM.
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