21 killed because of 3$

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/09/15/stampede-in-pasuruan.html
http://old.thejakartapost.com/detailheadlines.asp?fileid=20080917.@02&irec=1

when charity act turn into a stampede.

when good intentions turn into a tragedy.

when human life only worth 3$.

poverty at its best.

this makes me think:
"now what should a mere college student like me do to reduce poverty in my country? if a charity act turn into a mass-murder,how am i supposed to do a charity act?"

tell me what you think,fakkuzas.

I try not to think too much about this kinda stuff or else my head might explode... [size=10]this comment not helpful in any way shape or form sorry mnx...[/h]

Wow...I understood that things like this happened, but I never went out of my way to find out about it. This is why I don't complain about anything and always say "It could always be worse."...because I am glad that I live in America, where I make enough to live on decently...

...I'm sure if it hadn't happened the way it did and someone was just given a few dollars on the side, no one would die...but there always has to be a spectacle...it's sad...

That's pretty fucked up... As you said, seems like giving help seems like giving a few people the death sentence...

Probably have to isolate a person you want to help and give them money in private...

Instead of giving out money, I believe sustainable development & ethnographic studies are much more beneficial~

I've done 3 international volunteer trips so far-- from experience, I can say that it's necessary to form partnerships with the people you mean to help, so that even as you work to better their circumstances, they also contribute. For example, last year, I was in Mexico, and I helped build a home for an impoverished family. With my team, I worked alongside the family, until their home was completed. We didn't simply throw money at the problem.

Anyway, when you give someone money, the person on the receiving end does nothing to shape their own future. Not very empowering. (Quick note: this changes if there are NGOs involved, micro-financing, etc.).

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

yeah,giving money directly is a bad idea,just like sarene said.

you could give them something useful for their daily life,or maybe pay some expert to teach them some skill like proper farming skills,sewing,etc.

that's a really sad tragedy,btw...

Throwing money in peoples faces and watching them scurry like dogs is down right disgraceful.

I don't think that's what they wanted to do, but still... pretty scary...

Just watched it today. Sad. :(

To make it clear, this wasn't a normal charity event. This event is called a Zakat charity.

It's now Ramadhan and muslims go into fastings and self-restraint for a month. And in Ramadhan muslims are obligated to give zakat.

This tragedy happens because there are no queuing lines, no security and unorganized charity system.

I have to agree that it is pretty sad. If you do charity you should think about how desperate people get for stuff.

Idiots.

Sad but true. and add Greedy.

You have to consider that 3$ is more worth to them than to us. It's pretty much money in their view.

But of course that's not making it less bad. It's pretty sad.

I agree with kaimax:



They should have known what happened ...

This should send a message to their government. If your people are so poor that they are willing to kill others for a few American dollars. Something is broke and they need to FIX IT!

All money nowadays is technically worthless. It is worth whatever the government tells it's citizens its worth. Since there is nothing actually backing the money such as silver and gold. When you look at it that way it is even more depressing. They are trampling one another for worthless paper.

What about coins? The copper in our money must at least be worth the coin, and don't you have silver coins?

We have even had debates within the government about removing the penny from production since it costs more to make them than they are worth. I believe the current penny is a zinc base with a copper plating. We don't have silver coins unless you count the "silver" dollar. Which is just a name for any one dollar coin that is made from a white or silver looking metal such as the Sacagawea dollar and the Presidental dollar coin program that is supposed to be made in the future.

Unlike Canada we use bills for one and two dollar increments while on the rare occasion you will see someone using a one dollar coin. Its pretty rare to see a two dollar bill and most stores won't accept them because they don't believe the bill is real currency.

Penny, Nickle, Dime, Quarter, One Dollar are the only coins that are in circulation.

Muslims don't perform zakat (Arabic for "charity," I believe) only during Ramadan. Zakat is a year long contribution, where one donates approx. 10% of his/her earnings to a charity.

At the end of Ramadan, there's an Eid (a celebration), where Muslims are obligated to feed the poor in an orderly fashion. This is the first time I've ever heard of simply throwing money into a crowd. Then again, culture and national bg shape the practice of religion.

-still confused-

Anything goes in this world is just a matter of time when it will happend and it did, welcome to planet of love.

so, so true.

it's a religious tradition, it's not some government run program... you can't expect much from it.