recykleNOTthrowaway

Hello. I am a student at an ivy league university studying Climatology. This year I am on medical leave due to severe anxiety and depression.

When I heard about the devastation in the Philippines I decided that I wanted to help. I emailed the philippine red cross and offered my services in whatever capacity they saw fit. They responded promptly that they would get back to me with deployment information as soon as they knew where they needed me.

My question is: if I have the choice between buying my own ticket to the philippines in order to help on-site for 6 weeks, versus donating the $1000 directly to the relief fund; which will help more?

I want to help, and I want to have a real impact, but at the same time I feel as though they have lots of physical laborers (I am not a doctor, or hold any special qualifications), and are probably more in need of financial resources. What are your thoughts?

Thanks for the honest reply. I think I already knew the answer.

It's hard to imagine another time in my life where it would be this easy for me to drastically change my life on a moments notice. I have no commitments, no school, literally nothing holding me down here.

Would you recommend taking basic first aid/first responder courses before entering a situation like the Philippines?

Well, I dont know.

That's why I was asking here.

Your opinion is clear.