If anyone is interested, I created a template text for prospective parents who want to ask for donations to effective charities (instead of a registry).
In the template, I used the charity Against Malaria, but the text could be adapted to ask for donations to other effective charities, such as Peter Singer's The Life You Can Save.
With some modifications, this template could also be used for other occasions, such as the holidays or birthdays.
"Hi and thank you for your willingness to gift something to our sweet little one.
We actually have everything we need (and more). We have more than enough clothes and books and toys.
In fact, we haven’t created a registry because we genuinely cannot think of something our child needs that we don’t yet have. (Well, other than parents with the patience of a saint…😉.)
But what if you would still like to get something for the little one?
Well, that’s where the Un-Registry comes in!
Here’s an amazing and potentially life-saving gift for our child: mosquito nets!
That’s right! We would so appreciate a donation to a charity that helps save lives. It’s called Against Malaria (the stats on this page are from their website).
Malaria kills around 625,000 people each year. 70% of these people are children under 5.
That’s thousands and thousands of little kids, all as wonderful as ours, that die from a preventable disease each year. In addition to taking the lives of so many children, Malaria is also the #1 killer of pregnant women.
The good news is that it’s easy to prevent Malaria infections!
For a donation of just 2 US$ (roughly the cost of a pacifier), you can gift a mosquito net that protects 2 people for 3-4 years from being bitten by mosquitos at night.
For 10 US$ (roughly the cost of a onesie), you can gift 5 mosquito nets.
I cannot think of any other gift that would make our child happier than being told that her/his/their existence caused someone (you?) to donate to something so important.
If you like, you can donate in the name of our little one or print out a gift certificate that we or you can keep for her/him/them until she/he is they/are old enough.
I agree, it is deeply disturbing to witness so many “turn a blind eye”. I have a disabled adult son who is in state of IL SODC care. He lives in squalor; his clothing constantly missing/lost/stolen; he is fed food not fit for dogs and he has been beaten so many times we have lost count. We have also lost count of how many with the power to stop this abuse of a vulnerable soul “turn a blind eye”……we are in trouble as a nation when we worry more about how animals are treated while turning a blind eye to human suffering, and the lack of adequate care for our American veterans, elderly and disabled.
Maybe you have written about it already, but I would be curious why you support helping humans when those humans might go on to hurt animals? I find it impossible to work or donate towards human issues when the plight of animals is far, far larger. Could be an interesting topic for substack!
I disagree with Malta's prohibition of abortion and support efforts to change it, but I wouldn't compare Malta with Iran. Anyone in Malta needing an abortion can go to a nearby European country and get one, and as far as I am aware, no one has been prosecuted or threatened with prosecution for doing so.
You spoke at my uni in 2012 and that was probably one of the most affecting hours of my life. Thank you for your work.
So, so true!
If anyone is interested, I created a template text for prospective parents who want to ask for donations to effective charities (instead of a registry).
In the template, I used the charity Against Malaria, but the text could be adapted to ask for donations to other effective charities, such as Peter Singer's The Life You Can Save.
With some modifications, this template could also be used for other occasions, such as the holidays or birthdays.
I'm copying the text below (you can also find it on my website here: https://leaderforgood.com/unregistry)
"Hi and thank you for your willingness to gift something to our sweet little one.
We actually have everything we need (and more). We have more than enough clothes and books and toys.
In fact, we haven’t created a registry because we genuinely cannot think of something our child needs that we don’t yet have. (Well, other than parents with the patience of a saint…😉.)
But what if you would still like to get something for the little one?
Well, that’s where the Un-Registry comes in!
Here’s an amazing and potentially life-saving gift for our child: mosquito nets!
That’s right! We would so appreciate a donation to a charity that helps save lives. It’s called Against Malaria (the stats on this page are from their website).
Malaria kills around 625,000 people each year. 70% of these people are children under 5.
That’s thousands and thousands of little kids, all as wonderful as ours, that die from a preventable disease each year. In addition to taking the lives of so many children, Malaria is also the #1 killer of pregnant women.
The good news is that it’s easy to prevent Malaria infections!
For a donation of just 2 US$ (roughly the cost of a pacifier), you can gift a mosquito net that protects 2 people for 3-4 years from being bitten by mosquitos at night.
For 10 US$ (roughly the cost of a onesie), you can gift 5 mosquito nets.
I cannot think of any other gift that would make our child happier than being told that her/his/their existence caused someone (you?) to donate to something so important.
You can donate to Against Malaria online here: https://www.againstmalaria.com/
If you like, you can donate in the name of our little one or print out a gift certificate that we or you can keep for her/him/them until she/he is they/are old enough.
Thank you!"
I agree, it is deeply disturbing to witness so many “turn a blind eye”. I have a disabled adult son who is in state of IL SODC care. He lives in squalor; his clothing constantly missing/lost/stolen; he is fed food not fit for dogs and he has been beaten so many times we have lost count. We have also lost count of how many with the power to stop this abuse of a vulnerable soul “turn a blind eye”……we are in trouble as a nation when we worry more about how animals are treated while turning a blind eye to human suffering, and the lack of adequate care for our American veterans, elderly and disabled.
Maybe you have written about it already, but I would be curious why you support helping humans when those humans might go on to hurt animals? I find it impossible to work or donate towards human issues when the plight of animals is far, far larger. Could be an interesting topic for substack!
Hi Prof Singer
I am a student of bioethics and I follow your work closely.
Many people speak about Iran and theocracy.
Do you know that in the European Union there is a theocratic state-the Republic of Malta.
In Malta abortion is still ILLEGAL in ALL circumstances.
I would appreciate if you will use your moral influence and maybe pen an article on this absurd and dangerous situation.
Thank you
I disagree with Malta's prohibition of abortion and support efforts to change it, but I wouldn't compare Malta with Iran. Anyone in Malta needing an abortion can go to a nearby European country and get one, and as far as I am aware, no one has been prosecuted or threatened with prosecution for doing so.