AIBU to think that this is political and should not be supported by a state school

[FlamingoCroquet]

(I have name-changed as this is very identifiying to any other parents or teachers from the same school. But I've been on here for 8 years)

DC's primary school informed us in the newsletter that the school is supporting a scheme to provide aid - specifically a backpack of items - to unaccompanied boys age 11-17 at the Jungle camp at Calais, in partnership with an organisation called Calais Action. They are asking parents/children to donate. This is to coincide with Refugee Week.

I'm very uneasy about this. I don't want to get into an argument about the whole migrant/refugee debate, but I feel that this is a political action and should not be supported by a state school. I am not against helping refugees in general, and would not complain if they were raising money for the Red Cross or Medicins Sans Frontieres. But I have major misgivings about supporting a group called Calais Action.

I'm thinking about emailing the school governors to raise my complaint, but I'm reluctant to be seen as that person who is anti-charity, when my DD has several years left at this school. What do you think?

I would not participate.

I give to very local charities. Charity organisation donations rarely reach the intended recipients.

Fuck me, it's like charity-bingo! Do you know WHY the salaries at the top of a very few charities are hefty? It's because they are major complex organisations operating often with huge turnovers, and in disparate political landscapes. You need skill and experience for that, despite which, they're usually still paid miles under the commercial rare.

*commercial rate

I agree. For discussion, but not for being told what to think/believe.

So you think basic humanity such as giving a child refugee basic food and clothing is telling kids what to think politically?

Personally I would worry less about their school influencing their views and worry more about you influencing them.

Clarrp well said.

I think you can safely say that no one is going to travel to Calais just to receive their rucksack of toiletries, nor are international governments going to alter their efforts to reach a political solution to the Calais situation because a few people out of thousands have been given some toothpaste by some school children in the uk. The overall political impact of showing some kindness and sharing your ready access to basic health and hygiene supplies will be minimal. You might have a positive unseen impact by helping a frightened, lonely, traumatised individual to know that someone, somewhere cares a bit. YABU to not want to try.

The Somalian famines, the camps at Darfur, comic relief, children in need, jeans for genes etc etc. They all have political elements and I can't see why you wouldn't have an issue with all charitable giving on the basis that you have an issue with this.

I could have a huge issue with the NSPCC advertising and raising funds as though they are providing social services or cancer charities using footage of NHS care to raise funds for themselves if I wanted to - but I'm able to see the bigger picture of them doing good, important, useful and helpful work regardless and put those thoughts to one side.

My DC go to a state funded school where they tell them about crucifixion endlessly at age 4 - I've got the biggest ever problem with the politics of that...

So if something gets discussed in parliament, it becomes a political issue? ( as you've said up thread, I cba going back to copy and paste)

And primary schools shouldn't then be donating to charities that support these 'political issues'.

So you'll exclude:

Homelessness
Famine
Domestic violence
Cancer

And any number of other charities that exclude 'political issues'?

Raising awareness of the camp and deciding to help people living in it are not the same, imo, as telling children what to think or believe. Sounds to me like you want to teach your children that some people are less worthy of compassion and support than others. Sorry if that's not true.

under the Greenwood tree here is MSF's recent boycotting of the humanitarian conference.

If that's not a move to attempt to bring pressure to bear on policy makers and implementers, I don't know what is!

www.msf.org.uk/article/msf-to-pull-out-of-world-humanitarian-summit

All poverty & suffering & charity is indirectly political.

Causes of war are political, the lack of a cohesive effort in Western Europe (including the UK) to find a solution to the refugee crisis is political.

Charities which exist to plug the gaps caused by Govt cuts is political. Fund raising for hospitals, hospices, support for specific chronic and acute health conditions that could be funded by the Govt through taxation is political. I found out that the service to supply blood in emergencies to hospitals is funded through a charity!! Various air ambulances are funded by charities rather than the Govt. Macmillan end of life care is supported by charity. These are all 'political'. Homelessness is political. Lack of support services for mental health is political.

I believe the use of the Third Sector to pick up the slack on services that a civilised society should properly fund is wrong. It doesn't stop me feeling empathy and supporting various charitable causes.

HTH

I was just reading an article today in the iweekend newspaper, about the philosopher Peter Singer. He has urged a rethink of global refugee policy. But I'm obviously not allowed to agree with him on mumsnet or think we should help the people who are stuck in the war-torn countries ahead of the people who are more able to leave.

When millionaire academics try to get involved in grass root politics it makes me teeth squeak. They work off models and theories and have no concept of the practicalities and day to day issues. They aren't 'front line' but instead sit behind their computers with their charts and graphs and budget statements.

But I'm obviously not allowed to agree with him on mumsnet or think we should help the people who are stuck in the war-torn countries ahead of the people who are more able to leave

Why does it have to be either/or? Why not both?

I agree that we should teach children to help people in need. I would prefer it if the school would choose more wisely which charities they urge us to support. I would be happier supporting something like the Red Cross who help people all over the world.

Firstly, You've linked me to MSF site itself. Interesting. I'll read it - however , this thread isn't about MSF, and I don't want to derail.

Secondly, MSF, by definition, by their very own name is apolitical. They have had their humanitarian workers murdered, for working to help people - any people, all people, regardless of who they are.

They are humanitarian, and without borders, by name, and they are nobel peace laureates.

So I doubt I'll be be put off them.

PalePolkaDot Sun 12-Jun-16 01:00:50
I think you can safely say that no one is going to travel to Calais just to receive their rucksack of toiletries, nor are international governments going to alter their efforts to reach a political solution to the Calais situation because a few people out of thousands have been given some toothpaste by some school children in the uk.

Funnily enough I had exactly this conversation with cabbie today. The radio news mentioned it briefly and we got to talking about it. We talked about how NO ONE would put themselves or their family through the separation, desperation and life risking journey that Syrian refugees are making unless they had to.

Who would ever do that unless it was a last option choice? Who would risk the lives of them and their loved ones on the chance of something better if they weren't truly desperate and had not other options?

OP imo your instincts are right. All I read hear is support for human traffikers and misery, in addition to perpetuating an unstainable and misguided effort.

Please don't be put off MSF, they do great work! That doesn't mean to say that they don't apply pressure to politicians/governments does it? You can bring pressure to bear without alignment, as MSF demonstrate beautifully.

Don't make "political" out to be a dirty word. Anyway as I said earlier, I think there's some confusion here between political and contentious.

OP I can see where you are coming from and I don't think YA necessarily being U. To the PP(s?) who said these young men are desperately running to anywhere safe; they have run THOUGH many safe places/countries and yet declined to stay there, choosing instead to continue and try to get into the UK illegally. So I completely understand why many people think they are in Calais by choice.

I agree that we should teach children to help people in need. I would prefer it if the school would choose more wisely which charities they urge us to support. I would be happier supporting something like the Red Cross who help people all over the world.

Ahhh... so you only want you precious children to do things for charities that are socially acceptable among your peer group?

Perhaps you should look into supporting charities for people whose avacado isn't quite ripe enough or who's Ocado delivery was six minutes late.

OMFG - Gilly - did you even read why?

That's not 'political' - any other than any job is 'political' - did you read it?

I totally stand with MSF.

So, DFOD.

Red Cross support refugees and migrants, OP. Are they acceptable because they're doing it further away than Calais?

The children in Calais aren't making a political statement.

GiddyOnZackHunt Sun 12-Jun-16 01:17:02
The children in Calais aren't making a political statement.

This.

This. This. This. This. This.

Exactly Clarrp - if you're prepared to jump onto a moving train on high voltage lines, or cling to the axels of an hgv for several hours or even days, I'm prepared to bet my house it's not because you're a money-grabbing, benefit seeking, job nicking/lazy (delete as per your slur of choice) chancer who couldn't find anything else to amuse yourself with.

You must be BEYOND desperate, utterly without alternatives and near to the point of losing the will to live.

I can't imagine what it would take to motivate me to jump at a moving train. It wouldn't be a rucksack containing a wilkos wash set tho...