Sir, – When I purchased The Irish Times on February 27th, there was an envelope enclosed which included a Trócaire box. Accompanying this there was a leaflet making the case as to why I should donate money and how the funds would be used. Its suggested contribution of €2 per day during the period of Lent would: 1. Help people grow their own food and earn an income, 2. Give people access to legal advice to secure their land and future, 3. Provide a small business loan, giving people the capital to buy land or start a small business.
Our Government could use this marketing model and issue each household with a similar collection box. An accompanying leaflet should state why we should contribute and where the funds would be used. A suggested contribution of €2 per week over one year would accumulate to approximately €100 per household. The funds could be used towards the same three goals in this country.
In this case we would put the money into the “Troika box”, but we should be given the money back when this period of “lent” is over. – Yours, etc,