Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Oh Brave New World

In an attempt to curb internet scams, Paypal has frozen Don Gilliland's account until he can prove nonprofit status--so much for the web helping people to help others. Until now your donations have been going to Myanmar. Don used his own money with the belief that he would get the donations from Paypal eventually, and he has sent that with donations given him directly from people in Bangkok. Over $1000 has been taken into the country already and another $500 is being taken in soon.
The money is being given to monks to buy clothes, medicine, water purification tablets, and vehicles to bring people to safety. If you go to Don's blog www.bangkokdazed.com you can see the relationships he has built with temples and orphanages as he has traveled through Myanmar and the faces of people who are probably now destitute.
It is a tragedy that cynicism and suspicion have blocked a project that is grass-roots and workable. Paypal seemed the best solution for getting money overseas quickly, but now I will never use it again for any purpose. For those who have sent money to Don's account, please know that while it languishes with Paypal, Don has sent equivalent amounts from his own funds to Myanmar. Your money has gone to help others--please do not send more to Paypal unless this mess can be straightened out.

3 comments:

Katia said...

How sad and frustrating. I just spoke to my husband about your post, and he tells me that a large chunk of all the help sent to Myanmar by the UN is kept by the government which does no distribute it to the populations that need it. And here is someone trying to help on a little scale, and he's prevented from doing it. On the other hand, does Paypal have to fear schemes where people steal money meant for others in need ? I mean, corruption is everywhere, isn't it?

Janet Brown said...

That is my point of view too--what Don is doing is a matter of friends helping friends. I just received an email saying that he's found someone who will take necessities of life purchased with donations to the Delta, where the devastation struck most horribly.
But America truly is the "nanny state" where good deeds are controlled and bad ones wreaked by people who make such things their occupation are too sophisticated to be caught.

Vladimir @ Fantastic Planet said...

Well, as a regular customer since 2000 (and the internet, that's like 40 years) I've lodged a protest with Paypal and I'll see what kind of mess I can stir up...

One thing to note-- when you go on the site, they have *their own* Myanmar relief widget there, so I suspect some intimidation...

Anyhow, I'll keep you informed...