Trying and failing to teach 6yo about charity

[Tillylils]

My dd is 6 and has been learning in school about third world countries. They have decided to dress up as pirates to raise money for water aid. Dd doesn't have a pirate costume so I have borrowed a pirate patch and a bandana, and she has a stripey top and jeans to wear. When I showed her what she would be wearing, she was horrified as she wants me to buy one. I think it's ridiculous to spend £10 on a costume in order to give £1 to charity. I have tried to explain this to her as best I can, but all I've had is tears, feeling sorry for herself, everyone else will have a costume, etc. She now feels bad and is saying she'll wear her uniform instead and give the money to the charity. But I want her to want to do it and to understand why. Am I expecting too much of her?

Expecting too much. At 6 they simply cannot understand the plight of third world countries, no matter what they are taught. We have water on tap, everything we possibly need, our children (and adults) don't know what it's like to feel chronically dehydrated and malnourished, let alone the germs and diseases etc. All she'll be bothered about is that it's dressy up day and she's not wearing a fantastic costume when she thinks all of her friends will be. FWIW I think what you were going to dress her in is fine. But then 3 of my 4 children don't like dressy up so maybe my expectations are too low When ours had a pirate dressy up I found a small soft toy parrot and sewed it onto the shoulder of their stripy t-shirt. Also drew moustache, and skulls on her cheeks. Why not dress her up now so she can see how good she'll look?