Holes in Deep Pockets

Scrooge in Dreamland (Anon.)





Compassion should be in the hearts of all, no matter what race, creed or gender. Clothe the naked; feed the hungry, and all that jazzy, Christian morality blowing in the wind. Past social values once advocated helping those less fortunate but where did the love go when people refused to ‘dig deep’ to spare a few ‘shillings’. However, ancient celtic-Ireland; once a collectivist nation has now despaired into cold-hearted individualism groped by its partner in crime, materialism.

Trócaire (meaning Compassion in Irish) is the official Overseas Development Agency of the Catholic Church (think of Kate Moss as the official face of Rimmel London). Set up by Irish Catholic Bishops in 1973, the aim of Trócaire is to raise funds from donations and charitable events to support those countries less developed than ourselves. During the Lenten campaign at Easter, Trócaire focuses on single issue factors affecting poverty-stricken individuals such as prostituition, child warfare and poor employers.

In the past thirty-four years, Trócaire has supplied funding to thousands of aspiring projects nuturing water supplies, food drives, educational reform and much more social intervention schemes in 55 Countries worldwide including Honduras, Angola, Kenya, Vietnam and even recently Serbia to help, in both the redevelopment of war ravaged countries but also those affected by the dire straits of famine and extreme weather conditions.

Trócaire spent approximately 31 Million Euros in overseas development last year; a far-shy cry away from the billions invested into arms development, military warfare and supposed democratic intervention in tyrannical governed countries by Western governments. Whilst billions of sterling are transferred to destroying ideologies, searching for oil or whatever spin you choose to accept; problems in both our own society but also the worldwide society are struggling to get better.


Is it getting any better?

• Roughly, six million people are living on the Island of Ireland as a whole.
• 31 million euros was invested last year by Trocaire (inc. admin fees)
• On average, five euro is being spent by each person on Trocaire funds each year
• According to UNDP Human Development Report 2000, the average Irish person makes in the region of £21,482
• Why is only five Euro out of £21,000 only being offered into a Trócaire box for the benefit of others and not 10 or even 50 per year?
• Scrooge won’t be turning in his sleep anyway.

What is clouding our judgement?

• The issue of investing solely into our own communities rather than elsewhere
• Lack of education on poverty, healthcare, war, gender issues and more
• A need to conform with ipods, converse shoes, laptops and more electricals
• Idea that money given will be spent all on transport, equipment, admin
• Corrupt leaders will use the money for self-gain
• People just don't care. What you can't see, isn't really happening?