What's the point of charity?

Despite economic hard times the Government has announced that Britain will increase annual foreign aid to £12 billion by 2014. According to one recent survey, over 43% of British taxpayers would scrap the international aid budget completely.

More Films in This Theme

Homeless at 16, now runs a social enterprise

Sophie Maxwell
Somali refugee at age 5, now a medical student

Mohamed Ali Ugas
Clinical psychologist and former aid worker

Alessandra Pigni
Muslim aid worker for Islamic Relief

Salah Albougasem
Stand-up comedian adopted as an infant from Nigeria

Joy Carter
Works in the Africa division of Human Rights Watch

Ben Rawlence

Featured Comments

"You seem like a decent guy and big hearted, the world needs more people like you. Good luck with your studies and good work." — jim666's comment on Mohamed Ali Ugas's film

"My first thoughts were not so charitable, but listening I realise I am wrong. It is a shame race religion and politics get in the way of decency." — jim666's comment on Salah Albougasem's film

"I have listened to all the commentators and feel genuinely humbled and really proud of them all. I just hope there are people who are inspired; you are all a credit and restored my faith in humanity." — jim666's comment on Ben Rawlence's film

"I believe as individuals we should all be charitable in the broader sense. By that i mean making decisions based on the greater good not simple in your own interest. I am sceptical if this is achieved by giving money to registered charities. " — Guy's comment on Alessandra Pigni's film

"These stories are sad and you got to feel for the people concerned , but there needs to be a line drawn regarding charities and how the general public are approached and asked to contribute." — K100's comment on Joy Carter's film

"What? Sikhs have their own tradition of charity known as Seva? Seva is a sanskrit word, the idea of Seva and charity comes from Vedic religions and is also shared by Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism." — Shah's comment on Inderjit Singh Bhogal's film