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Addressing Criticisms of Operation Christmas Child

11/6/2015

8 Comments

 
Addressing Criticisms of Operation Christmas Child
Thursday, November 5, 2015
by Jason McCutcheon

Any meaningful endeavour opens itself up to criticism. I wanted to share why I believe Operation Christmas Child (OCC) by Samaritan’s Purse is an endeavour that I participate in. I also wanted to give my thoughts towards those who may be critical of certain aspects of OCC’s ministry.

Criticism #1: OCC doesn’t bring lasting help to the developing world.

My Response: I’m not implying, and neither is Samaritan’s Purse, that just sending shoeboxes to children around the world will solve the challenges in developing countries. Even they are involved in other humanitarian projects. It is OCC that often provides the open door into these communities to do things like dig wells and provide disaster relief. Shoeboxes are meant to bring hope and a smile to children, and give an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a tangible way that children can understand. When Jesus really changes a life, that does bring about change and real hope for the future, both for that child and the communities that child touches. If you don’t believe that, then please don’t pack a shoebox. Put yourself fully into other projects and make a difference in your own way. Also, shoeboxes often come alongside NGOs and churches already doing great work in the communities where shoeboxes are handed out. OCC depends on these relationships. Again, a shoebox is not designed to replace great work that is already being done by folks like World Vision and Compassion.

Criticism #2: OCC is accused of promoting unsafe and unfair labour practices in developing nations because items are often purchased at low priced, discount retailers such as dollar stores. Therefore, it is said, it would do better to send the money instead.

My Response: The power of OCC is the connection that the giver feels to the child receiving the shoebox. For many families in the West, OCC provides a clear and tangible opportunity to help their children think of others first in the face of Christmas traditions that can be very selfish. OCC creates a connection between people. When someone places an item in a box they know that an individual child will receive that gift. That is a significant difference as opposed to just writing a cheque. Sending money is certainly more efficient, but the power of OCC is the human connection. Often, the human connection is lost when it’s just money changing hands. And it’s hard to put a shoebox “in your back pocket”. In other words, money is easier to abuse then something tangible like a shoebox.

Criticism #3: OCC (or any organization that sends things overseas) is sometimes accused of harming the local economy. Again, it would be better to just send money.

My Response: There are certainly economic issues to address in relation to shoeboxes, but I believe the issues are often over generalized. Yes, there are unsafe and unfair labour practices in developing countries that need to be addressed. These are often, although not always, related to discount retailers. But not every factory is unsafe and unfair to their workers. The need to address those that are unsafe and unfair isn’t an OCC issue as much as a “Western culture” issue. And if this is a concern, make sure and fill your shoeboxes with items that you’re comfortable in purchasing.

Criticism #4: All the gifts are thrown out within a few days.

My Response: Stories and testimonials don’t support the idea that “all items sent will end up in the trash in a few days”. That is probably true in the West, but many of these children in developing countries have never received gifts like this, ever. They often cherish them for years. Certainly there may be some effect on the local economy, but I have to wonder how much harm there is when these children would never have been able to afford these items to begin with. Many times you’re not giving these children something they would have been able to purchase. And OCC’s goal is to provide a shoebox once in a child’s life. Often only coming to a community once. It’s not as if these children depend on OCC to provide all their school supplies each year, for instance.

In Closing: Operation Christmas Child provides a tangible way to share the love of Jesus and helps spread hope. Most of all, it provides an opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the point of Christmas to begin with. If you’re concerned about any charity, investigate and make your decisions on good information. But never use cynicism or negativity as an excuse to do nothing. Whatever you do to love and serve others this Christmas season, do it with all your heart. I’ll be packing my shoeboxes as a part of what I do.

Rev. Jason McCutcheon
Laurentian Wesleyan Church
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
8 Comments
Ruth Cameron
11/6/2015 04:48:02 pm

You expressed, in writing, many of the same thoughts that I had to the criticism of OCC. Thank you! You expressed them so well!!

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writing services link
11/4/2017 10:39:51 pm

When someone is doing something good for the benefit of other people, we should show our support. I do not understand why anyone would want to criticize someone for being a good person. The world is already full of hate and we should not fuel more hate to it. Christmas is supposed to unite people together because it is about celebrating the love and kindness of Jesus Christ. I hope many people would just support other people and not say anything harsh to hurt their feelings.

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David
11/4/2018 03:57:58 pm

Hi Jason, just came across this thread and through i'd react to your thoughts. First of all, I want to thank you for this thread, and for openly engaging with the different points of critique. It seems you spend considerably thought on each of them. To anticipate antagonistic feelings, I also want to say that by being critical about OCC I'm not hating good people, their benevolence, and in no way do I want to discourage them from being God's hands and feet through charity.

However, there are some things on my mind that you wrote here: "when someone is doing something good for the benefit of other people, we should show our support. I do not understand why anyone would want to criticize someone for being a good person."

For me, good intentions ≠ good actions: I'm sure that most shoe box supporters have a good heart and motive in taking part in OCC. Yet, that doesn't mean that OCC's efforts are without blemish and cannot be improved. Fundamentally, any charity that is done sustainably, addressing the root issues of global injustice, will have a far greater impact than those that do not. OCC, as you said, is meant to bring hope and a smile to children, and there's nothing wrong with that. However, I believe that can be done in many different ways, preferably in ways that do not create dependency on the West, ways that do not further the harmful stereotype of the poor, needy, uneducated, malnourished African child beneficiary, whose life is changed by the generous, benevolent, altruistic, educated, White hero benefactor.

If you could choose between giving your own child an education or some candy, a toy, a pencil and rubber, wouldn't you choose the former? Optimally, of course, you would like to give them both, but as a matter of fact most people have what I call a "charity threshold", a margin up to which they are charitable (which usually remains fairly constant, e.g. the common 10% threshold for tithing). So, if we had to choose, I believe that God would want us to steward our charity, and bring the hope and joy of Christ's coming in ways that are sustainable and dignifying.
As you pointed out in another response OCC's scale is huge (their website says more than 157 million shoe boxes have been delivered since 1993). If we could divert those resources in ways that also tangible to the giver, in ways that encourages fair-trade, non-materialism, and non-consumerism, and in ways that foster human connection, I think the message of hope and joy for salvation (which I believe is everlasting and non-temporary) would be reflected far better.

Jason
11/6/2018 02:50:54 pm

This is in response to David's comments on November 4, 2018. Thank you for your comment. Just one clarification, I did not make the statement, "when someone is doing something good for the benefit of other people, we should show our support". The commentor named "writing services" did, so that response should be directed to them. I would just respond in three ways. Giving an education and giving a toy is not an apples to apples comparison. The power of OCC in my opinion is that it is something small and tangible and fosters human connection, rather than just giving money. Secondly, as I was reminded lately through the movie "Facing Darkness" about Samaritan's Purse response to Ebola in West Africa, the shoeboxes often open doors into a country for more sustainable work. And thirdly, if OCC doesn't resonate with you, no problem. Put yourself wholeheartedly into something else that you believe in to help the poor, just don't let your critique not lead to further action. I hope these comments are received in the spirit they are given. Blessings on you as you make a difference in the world.

Joanne Campbell.
11/6/2015 05:54:45 pm

I love the look on the children's faces when they receive these boxes. God is so good I know how my grandchildren love making these shoe boxes up.

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Ryan Schmitz
11/6/2015 07:37:11 pm

Great thoughts! Toys often cost at least double what they might cost in Canada, so for a family that earning about 5-10% of a Canadian income these extras are usually non-existent. For children that do not have much, a little goes a long way into make their lives a little better. I am also assuming that OCC can also get past a lot of the red tape that we cannot (having to pay taxes and spend hours getting items through customs).

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Jason link
11/13/2015 11:00:27 am

I wanted to include this in the conversation as well:
Questions are mine. Answers are from Joel at Samaritan's Purse.
1. How many paid employees in OCC Canada vs Volunteers?
Answer: 21 paid staff for 54,000 volunteers
2. Do shoeboxes ever get delivered to the same location/village more than once?
Answer: Our goal is one child, one gift, one time- however shoeboxes are distributed varies from country to country. Most of our receiving countries move to different regions/communities each year on a rotation. However in some instances, a school or orphanage for instance, might get shoeboxes every year and give them to all the Grade 5 students, or all the new orphans.

Reply
Coreen Villemere
11/13/2015 05:47:09 pm

Rev. McCutcheon:
Everything you wrote in reply to crtitics was well said. I see nothing
wrong in sending a child a Christmas gift to uplift her or him - It's what Christ would want us to do. He loved the little children as well as all of us, and He still does. Many blessings to you and your precious church. I am too far away to attend, but my cousin Verna is a devout attendee and attends in my name.
In Christ's name I bless you. Coreen

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    Jason McCutcheon

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