1% cash, 100% difference

“Melee erupts among a crowd of shoppers in the rush for the new Xbox 360 video game console at a Wal-Mart in Maryland.” “Facing Winter, Pakistan Earthquake Victims Struggle to Survive.” “Tokyo shares close up; Nikkei at new 5-year high on high-tech stocks.” “Niger: Food crisis may yet worsen”

Is it me or do these headlines just not jibe? And these the stories they tell are a bit too familiar —- the names and places may have changed but this inequality in the world has unfortunately been around since the dawn of time and probably isn't going anywhere any-time soon. So what do you do about it? Sell off your iPod, donate the money to charity, and live on the streets of Osaka? Read the articles, mutter a few words of concern, and head off to Shinsaibashi to spend more cash? Or like most things in life is there some kind of balance, a happy median, that can be reached?

For years I did nothing. I went on trips, bought my boy toys (mp3 players, a big TV), and lavished my dates and girlfriends with expensive gifts (my ex may take issue with the last point). However, my days of doing absolutely nothing came to an end last December. I was taking in the sights and sounds of Vietnam with a friend. I saw Uncle Ho, ate lots of amazing food, and crawled through the Chu-chi tunnels. I also witnessed firsthand the extreme levels of poverty in that country and felt fortunate to be living and working in Japan. I couldn't help but feel like a white capitalist pig — how could I justify the purchase of all these goodies for myself when there is so much suffering in the world?

So what is the answer? The answer is one percent. You can't end poverty single handedly, but it is very easy for us to make sure there is less of it about — I decided that my New Year's resolution would be to donate one percent of my salary to charity. One percent: it's nothing and it's something.

It's nothing

One percent. How much money are we talking about? For a new eikawa sensei, just off the boat, we're looking at roughly ¥2,500-¥3,000 a month. Not a lot, is it? Maybe you buy one less DVD to get the funds. Go out only three Saturday nights a month instead of four and you'll easily have the cash. Skip out on just one nice dinner or one nice top and the dough will be there for you to give.

It's something

We in Japan may not miss ¥2,500-¥3,500 a month, but in other parts of the world it's a great deal of money. World Vision, which heads the sponsor a child program, claims that the needs of one child in many countries can be met for just $30-$35 a month. Another organi-zation notes that just $35 is enough to help provide shelter materials — blankets, sheets, and winter tents for victims of the recent earth- quake in Pakistan. And let's not forget the power in time and numbers. Twelve monthly contributions would add up to ¥30,000- ¥42,000 a year. Use a little peer pressure and get five friends on board and your combined donations would reach ¥150,000- ¥210,000 a year. Nothing to sneeze at.

It's easy to do

Charities want your money so they make it easy to part with. Many charities allow you to make dona-tions online using your credit card and some even have automatic monthly payment options. A few clicks and you're done. No credit card? Well, many charities in Japan accept donation via direct deposit into their postal savings accounts. Simply go to the post office armed with the account name and number of your selected charity and you'll be done in no time at all. And of course the easi- est option has got to be the dona-tion boxes found next to almost every cash register of almost every convenience store or retail outlet. Put three bills in the box and you're good until next month.

What are you waiting for?

I'm sure that some of you have read this far and remain unconvinced. The reason is most likely corruption. It seems that the tales of corruption almost equal the tales of need. From management skimming money off the top, to Afghanistan warlords hijacking food aid from convoys there is
no question that corruption does exist. However, if the only other option is not helping at all, I'd rather put a bit of faith in humanity and donate. And of course, if you stick with the big name charities the chances of your aid losing its way is greatly decreased.

Let's take Oxfam for example. According to the Network for Good website (http://www.networkfor good.org/) 76 percent of the donations received went directly to their main programs. When you look at funds donated to specific emergency efforts the percentage making its way into the hands of the needy jumps to 90 percent.

Also, I'm sure that many of you are giving monetary donations that make one percent look like a joke. Or you may have or plan to donate your time to a needy cause. If that is the case then my hat goes off to you. You are an inspi-ration to us all.
And if any of you still feel that you aren't rich enough to be hand-ing over some cash to charities take a look at http://www.global richlist.com/. It makes compelling reading.

Text: Kevin Pfanmuller (the 297,356,522nd richest person on earth) • Photos: KS