It was quite shocking.
The receipt number is the same.
The amount is the same.
The date and month are the same.
Only the year has been changed -- from 08 to 09.
We discovered that one of the students we support was cheating -- us! He had sent us last year's bill and claimed money.
We were upset and felt betrayed. After all, we all spend so much time, energy and money to ensure these boys get a decent education... coming as they do from families of coolies who drink away their earnings...
What do we do?
First, we tried to understand why he did it.
1. We ask for receipts, receipts, receipts. Perhaps the college did not issue a receipt and we were asking for receipt. What else could he do?
2. We only pay for educational expenses (fees, books, uniform, hostel, etc.) -- not debts incurred by the family, not daily wear clothes, not the occasional movie, not... not... not... Perhaps, he needs the money for any or all of the above... especially debts as boys a decade younger are earning an income, whereas he is not.
3. Perhaps he needs a mobile?
4. Or even a new pair of shoes...
5. Or perhaps, he just saw a bunch of do-gooders with money to burn...
I do not know the reason, but do we stop supporting him?
He is midway through his course. The money invested so far will be wasted as he will certainly drop out. Do I have the right to do this?
I tried meeting him, but he is sick and has gone home.
Plan of action:
1. After his return, go to his college and hostel and get first hand information about the fees paid this year.
2. With this information in hand, meet him and ask why he did this?
3. Explain that this has demotivated all of us to such an extent that we would like to close the Trust and stop the work entirely.
4. Make him and others sign a bond that they will repay all the money they have taken for their studies. This was a verbal agreement till now.
Or
Scream at him and get it over with.
Option 2 is always easier, isn't it?
But the big question is: How do I trust him with money henceforth? Need to work out a method whereby I pay the college directly, and not him. How fair is that? Life has no answers right now...
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My 2 cents - Is it not possible to hand out an Account payee cheque in the name of the school bank account instead of handing out cash?
ReplyDeletePS - Not sure about the logistics involved in doing this
Exactly what we plan to do in future. :)
ReplyDeleteBut for this, we need the cooperation of the schools and colleges... A lot of them do not even issue a receipt for the amount!!!!!!! So, it will be an interesting attempt.