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Lactation Information and Discussion

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Subject:
From:
Sam Doak <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 6 Jul 2008 11:44:53 -0400
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<<I was just thinking out loud and I guess there is an inconsistency in my
thoughts as I also feel support should be available with the same expertise
for those that can't afford to pay (I believe even doctors and surgeons
ascribe to this belief, hence "Free care").>>

We have had a program locally which provides free summer activities for
local low-income kids. I am heavily involved with 4H camp, and something I
noticed is that if something is given away for FREE, people tend to abuse
it. 

Scholarship A gives a full camp tuition, pays for canteen cards, t-shirts.
These kids don't necessarily want to come to camp. Their parents get the
scholarship based on income, it costs them nothing, so they sign their kids
up. Once camp is full, nobody else gets to come. If we have a no-show (and
every summer, out of 75 kids who receive this scholarship, we'll have 3-5
no-shows) it is ALWAYS the kids who got Scholarship A. Every single time.
They are out nothing, and it doesn't matter that someone else doesn't get to
go to camp.

Scholarship B, on the other hand, offered by a different organization, pays
80% of camp fees. It requires a short essay by the child, "Why do you want
to go to camp" and "Why do you deserve a scholarship." Not necessarily
income based, but even if income is low, the family is required to cough up
20% of fees. Every one of these kids show up.

Basically, if something is "free" (no strings attached at all) it carries
less value than if the recipient has to give at least something of
themselves. And again, from my previous post, that something can be time, a
call back, some sort of expectation which allows the person to take
ownership of the problem. That is why it is important for LLL Leaders to
mention memberships during phone contacts, encourage meeting attendance,
even ask for a donation. If the mother gives at least a "something" she is
more inclined to follow through with what is going on.

Best wishes from someone who also didn't realize she had such strong
feelings on this matter...

Sam Doak

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