by Reid Fitzsimons
My first semester of college: Jan. 1977, Univ. of Wyoming, English 101, required reading included The Brothers Karamazov by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881). I have to confess my reading practices were limited to newspapers, Reader’s Digest, and the bare minimum for school, and a 100 year-old, 800 page novel was just too much. In my juvenile mind refusing to read it was an act of resistance and the subsequent F was somehow noble, but I knew I was really just lazy. My reading habits changed significantly over the following decades, so I can say, for example, if you feel you need to read War and Peace by fellow Russian author Tolstoy, it’s really awful- a feudal soap opera, with lame dialogue such as Princess whatever saying “He (Prince something or another) loves me, he REALLY LOVES ME!” Admittedly I don’t think of Dostoevsky often but ran across his name recently in a modern cultural/political context (next paragraph) and this prompted me to begin his other great work, Crime and Punishment; so far it’s not too bad.
A few weeks ago I noticed a posting from a “Facebook friend” of a quote attributed to Dostoevsky: “The more intelligent the man the more he begins to notice suffering.” If you think about this, there is more than subtle arrogance associated with the implied sentiment. I tried to “fact check” it and reviewed dozens of quotes by Dostoevsky and could not find it, so maybe yes, maybe no (an 18th century German philosopher- Arthur Schopenhauer- seems more likely). Nevertheless, invoking a quote, correct or not, by Dostoevsky hints at a high degree of education and sophistication, which perhaps is the goal.
Ron .s
I recall when the orphanage I support in Honduras was attacked by gang members and we relocated and was in desperate needs of funds, a former volunteer did not understand why we did not get funding from the U.S. government.
Reid Fitzsimons
I recall that event well, as our project was located close to the orphanage and we shared volunteers to some extent and provided housing for their volunteers. Every once in a while someone would ask, "Did you ever consider applying for government grants?" and the answer was no, it was an idea we never even considered. Why should American taxpayers support our efforts because we decided to be do-gooders? We did accept donations from people who knew us and what we did personally, and we're proud to say literally 100% of any donated money went to direct program costs: paying our local staff, food for the kids, lp gas for our kitchen, program activity supplies.
At one time we were considered a "non-profit" under the umbrella of an organization that provided "non-profit" status to small projects like ours. This was done on a reimbursement basis, in that we had to provide accounting and receipts at the close of a session. A memorable experience was that this group said they didn't have a category covering direct program costs, but we could use donated funds for our personal travel and living expenses and fund-raising costs (we never did any actual fundraising as donations were simply from friends, family, and people who spent time with us). Eventually our expenses were entered under a misc. category.
This was eye-opening for us, i.e. expenses that qualified for "non-profit" status were primarily personal or administrative and what we actually did was of secondary importance. The organization we were associated with was decent enough, but eventually their charges for providing support exceeded the limited donations we received, especially once they began to require liability insurance, an American concept that really didn't apply to Honduras. It was no great loss losing our "non-profit" status, because for the most part we funded the project out of our own pockets. I think the world of grants and "non-profits" is pretty convoluted and nebulous. For example, we could have used any and all donated money to pay ourselves salaries: there is lots of money to be made in the grant and "non-profit" world, and the benefit is you can pretend you are doing something wonderful while depositing the money in your personal bank account!
Alfred Finocchiaro
You nailed it Reid! Reminds me of a song from my childhood/
Money, get away.
You get a good job with more pay and you're okay.
Money, it's a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team.
Money.
Well, get back.
I'm all right Jack, keep your hands off of my stack.
Money, it's a hit.
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit.
I'm in the high-fidelity first class traveling set and think I need a Lear jet.
Money, it's a crime.
Share it fairly but don't take a slice of my pie.
Money, so they say.
Is the root of all evil today.
But if you ask for a raise it's no surprise that they're giving none away.
"Huh uh! I was in the right!"
"Yes, absolutely in the right!"
"I certainly was in the right!"
Carole Ann Milljour
I really enjoyed reading your article, Reid! I wish I knew the music to that song Alfred quoted. I tried to think of which one that was, however, the lyrics don’t seem to be familiar. Oh well! It certainly fit the theme of your article!
I just have to say, when the money flows in, it is a huge temptation for some to take advantage, and many do, unfortunately! Thank God for decent individuals who care to give over wanting to take. I really admire the integrity involved with Plan International and Samaritans Purse ...and I most certainly congratulate you and Patricia’s volunteer efforts in Honduras; you accomplished a lot throughout the years of your involvement. You certainly offered them a great deal in care and education. That was not an easy position or place to be in; and most certainly all you did came from the heart! I know too, that one of the biggest reward you received was from the friendships you made while over there!
Carole Ann Milljour
I meant to say that International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, not Plan International, is the organization I admired for the wonderful work they are doing. Plan International at one time was top of the line for dealing with individual's needs from poverty stricken areas, however, it seems that they are now in line with gender equality, so I am not so much in total favor of them as I once was. Just wanted to clarify my error in naming the two organizations I totally support!