There are many poor people around the world. Unfortunately, just giving them money has proven not to be helpful in the long run. Much better to help them create jobs, provide medical and technical assistance and so on, which allows the people to sustain the improvements. Experience has shown that large government funding often becomes the fortunes in the hands of the rulers or owners of the markets. Funds and materials sent to Iraq, Afganistan and various African countries have largely not ended up as planned. Not only that, but the items sent are inappropriate in some cases. Tents sent to Haiti were less preferred than tarps. Other items were great charitable writeoffs, but useless for the people who needed real help. Even Oprah, with her school for girls in Africa, was unable to predict the effects and had to review her efforts. However, the real deal is to discern the best ways to help the community you wish to--in the way that they need--not just what you think.

As far as the poor people go in the United States, it just depends on the area of the country where you live, how rural it is, and how interested the people who have the funds are in targeting the issue. Supporting research into different diseases is largely more popular than that of the plight of the poor.

Virtually any one of us could become homeless. Some people labor under the idea that homeless people are in that situation because they are lazy or like to live on the street. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The mass of homeless people living in the world right now somehow loose their humanity to the rest of society. There are lumped together and thought of as bums or too lazy to get a job. We need to look at these people as people, as individuals,people that are struggling to survive. They all have a story and they are or once where someone's daughter, son, brother, mother, ect. We all start out the same way. Naked and totally dependant on other people.

Things happen in people's lives that are not planned. Statistics tell us that almost half of homeless people are children under 18 years old. Their parents loose jobs with no family that will help them and take them in. Once in this rut, it is very hard to pull out of it. To rent a shabby apartment in a bad neighborhood takes money. Security deposits and first and last months rent are beyond what many people's budgets can endure.

Many of the homeless that you see sleeping in doorways and park benches are suffering from mental illnesses. Because of budget cuts in government spending they are released out of hospitals before they are able to take care of themselves. Once on the street it is nearly impossible for them to obtain their medications to keep them functional. They are sick, cold, hungry and are preyed upon by stronger homeless

people or criminals.

Some people ask 'Why would God let this happen to these people" but we need to ask 'How can we let this happen.' We truly are 'our brother's keeper'. We all can do something to help our brothers and sisters in need. Although not rich, I donate what little I can to my community food pantry. Not being able to feed your children has to be one of the worst things any parent has to face. If you are talented in carpentry, the Habitat For Humanity is a wonderful way to contribute. There are many ways we can as individuals help the hungry and homeless right in our own communities.

The next time you see someone that looks down and out and is struggling, step up. You be the one to say, what can I do. I'm not saying take them into your home, but don't look at them as lazy bums either. If you feel the urge to send money to your local food bank, don't ignore it, it's your better half telling you to act on the impulse. And remember that the next time you see that dirty person surrounded by their meager belongings and a bag of recyclables, that could easily be you.

There are a tremendous number of charities that help children in different ways; it would not be possible to list them all. There are lists of charities available that do categorize charities by the type of help that is offered and also rate and evaluate them for their good deeds and for their appropriate use of the donations. See the related link below to one of these charity evaluators, Charity Navigator, to help you find the charity for children in need that you want to support. Additional sources, that also provide evaluations of charitable organizations, are listed with links to them in the related links associated with the related question below: Does charity money actually go to CHARITY?

Your interest in helping others is appreciated.

A short list of some of the charities that provide help and support to children:

• Big Brothers and Big Sisters (role models and friends for children and children at risk).
• Locks of Love (hair and money donations for wigs for kids with cancer).
• Children in Need (By BBC in the UK).
• Make a Wish Foundation.
• No Child to Die.
• UNICEF (United Nations International Childrens Emergency Fund).
• Heifer, International.
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
• Shriner's Burn Centers and Hospitals.
• Ronald McDonald Houses.
• Salvation Army.
• Local orphanages and shelters for the homeless and abused.
• Local food banks.
• Various pediatric disease support groups.
• Keep a Child Alive (supports care of African children with HIV/AIDS)
• Autism Speaks.
• Kids in Need (for children who have lost one or both parents).
• Newborns in Need.
• Share Our Strength.
• Kaboom!
• SOS Children's Villages.
• Reach Out and Read.
• Youth Law Center (protects children's rights).
• I Have a Dream Foundation.
• Doctors of the World.
• Project Linus (provides security blankets to very ill or traumatized kids).
• Parents as Teachers (early interventions to stave off child abuse and other problems by teaching parenting skills, coping skills, etc.).
• Children's Charities of America (coalition of charities that help US kids).
• Doctors Without Borders (emergency help in disasters, war, etc.).

A desire to donate to save another life, improve the quality, or reduce the suffering of another person is admirable and indicates you are a very caring person. You are to be commended.

Blood, blood cells, and plasma can be donated to be used for a person who needs transfusions to sustain life after blood loss, in severe anemia, and other conditions.

Bone marrow can be donated for transplant into patients with leukemia or other bone marrow disorders or damage, or who have malfunctioning immune systems.

Organs can be donated from live donors such as portions of lung, portions of liver, or a single kidney.

Donations of organs and tissue after death can save many lives and greatly improve the quality of the lives of others. Successful transplants in this type of donation include heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, heart valves, veins, arteries, bone, tendons, ligaments, skin, small intestines, and the cornea of the eyes.

Consider signing a donation card to carry with you at all times so your wishes to help save lives after your death can be recognized and followed. This can also be added to your legal will or indicated on an Advance Directive form. Also inform relatives and friends of your desire to give this special and precious gift of life.

Organ donor cards and forms are available in many Internet sites. See the link section with this question for one such site.

Bottom line:

The most convenient and less invasive way to donate and save someone's life while you are still living is to donate blood. You can also donate bone marrow and even a kidney and still live a very normal life. Post mortem (after death) kidneys, heart, liver, lungs, pancreas, the small bowel and the other tissues and organs listed above can all be transplanted. Make sure you register as a donor and tell your friends and family about your choice so that in the event of your death they will know that you want to help other people live.

More:
Other things that can be donated to save lives are:

• Money for someone who needs prescription medications or medical care but can not afford it.
• Heavy wool clothing, shoes, coats, blankets, etc. for homeless people who might otherwise freeze to death on the streets in the winter.
• Food for hungry families, the homeless, the elderly, etc. who go without proper nutrition.
• Volunteer time to help staff a suicide hot line.
• Heating Stoves for Native Americans - Stove Assistance Program.
• Sponsor a clean water well in Africa and India for whole villages whose lack of clean wells or water sources is causing disease and death.
• Provide a flock of ducks, chickens, milk cow, rabbits, goats, food crops and trees for planting, sheep for wool, etc., with training, to provide food and business for self sustaining lives in whole villages around the world one family at a time.