Friday, July 15, 2005

Today is Sean's birthday!

A couple of pics from a couple of days before...




I shall meet you later, if possible... Haha.

On another note, I'm glad the NKF saga (sounds like some epic drama serial) has finally (sort of) drawn to a close. I shall not comment much about the issue, since practically every Singaporean (even my grandma!) knows about it, and it is the talk of the coffeeshops!

Only Sean has no idea at all about the whole public outrage towards NKF until I enlightened him yesterday. OMG, where have you been living for the past 2 days?!

But then again, I've always felt that NKF's fundraising efforts were a little dubious to begin with.

I remember a time last semester when I was forewarned by a couple of my friends that there was this Indian woman from NKF (with an annoying accent) who would call them, asking if they would want NKF donation cards, to help raise funds. And before anyone could say anything, she would ramble on and on and on about how the patients are suffering, to gain their sympathy. Or sometimes she would try another tactic. She would thank my friends for supporting NKF through the years, and talk about how they are very grateful (blah blah blah)... And soon enough, my friends would be either persuaded or annoyed (and can't wait to get her off the line). And naturally, solutions to both reactions would be to say 'Yes'.

Hah. Not me.

Here's a snippet of what I remembered from our conversation.

Indian bitch (IB): Hi, this is XXX from NKF. Gavin, I was wondering if you would want one of our donation cards this year?

I went straight to the point, since I already knew that such a thing would happen.

Me: No, I don't think so.

And of course, she doesn't give up! Maybe she has a 12 month bonus if she succeeds!

IB: But we would appreciate it very much if you can help our patients who are undergoing dialysis, etc etc... Really, it doesn't take up much time, and you can return the card to any of the post office branches...

At this point of time, I was irritated. Both by her ways of persuasion and accent. Of course, I took the next best step. Lie.

Me: Er, I don't think so. I would be busy for the next couple of months, and I don't think I have time to help raise funds. (Which is true to a certain extent!!!)

I thought she would hang up, but no, she persisted!

IB: Oh, in that case, Gavin, maybe you can pledge a one-time donation to NKF. It is very simple, you just need to.... (she talked about the steps)

Of course, I lied again.

Me: Er, no. I am going overseas. (Haha, I don't know how I came up with that one!)

IB: But Gavin, it really doesn't take up much time... blah blah

While she rambled on, I got fed up. I took the last possible step.

Me: I don't think so.

And I hung up.

There! I gather I was her first failure ever! Haha. After I hung up, I had a sneaking suspicion that I would still receive the donation card, nonetheless. But luckily, I didn't.

***

I would just like to say that I have nothing against fundraising to aid the poor, disabled, sick, etc etc. After all, my uncle passed away from kidney failure, and I understand that there're a lot of poverty-stricken patients out there who desperately need our financial aid. What I cannot stand is the way these organisations get us to pledge our donations. After all, such things are voluntary.

Just before everyone thinks I'm a cold-hearted freak, I donate monthly to the community chest from my GIRO account. I'm not showing off or anything, but at least I get a statement from them every year. That is some sort of a reassurance for me, I guess.

Gv complained @ 11:47 AM

{xoxo}