Have you ever visited, or do you want to visit, the continent of Africa? I know that’s a rather broad statement, like “do you want to go to Asia, or Europe?”
Last evening I went to a board meeting for my high school, a Catholic girls school. We had a brief presentation by one of a group of educators who has visited the African country of Malawi over the summer break. Seeing the video and hearing the commentary tugged at my heart strings while I celebrated their joy. Of note, they have joy and hope, with few material luxuries; why is it that so many people in the US have so much yet no joy? I guess we can thank Madonna for being an advocate and adopting her son from Malawi, but otherwise, does it make the news? Extreme Poverty. Tobacco is their cash crop, and how good is that today? And how can they move into coffee of other crops?
I am torn, as there is now so much poverty in the United States. Should we help our own first? There is so much poverty and need around the globe….where does one start? Where can you make a difference? Where do you want to make a difference is perhaps the operative question.
But first, I thought of Madagascar, home of my basket suppliers and the 13th poorest country in the world…slightly better off than Malawi at the 8th poorest. How can people live on $1 a day?
It’s been on my list for several years now to visit Madagascar, and Reunion Island and perhaps Malawi. And perhaps South Africa. Oh that would be a month, I suppose….
No labels attached to this, just watch the video and tell me what you think…..
I agree with you in many ways Andrea.
ReplyDeleteHow can so many Americans have so much and yet be so unhappy. Yet there is much poverty right here. This is a heartwarming video
I think that the countries you do business with, and the Free Trade Organizations, like Ten Thousand Villages and Novica are great!
We all need to do our part in whatever way we can.
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
It is important to do a difference, even a tiny one, when and where you can.
ReplyDeleteI have difficulty in understanding so many people who brag in saving African Countries and then turn their faces to their own home country misery.
Unfortunetly world economic conditions are getting worse worlwide and what sounded unthinkable for Europe or United States one decade ago, it is now a reality.
Africa hasn't appealed for me for the moment, in a touristic way. I was born there and came to Portugal being very young and without feeling that "Africa Appeal". They appeal me - as humans, as suferers - in the same way homeless in my own town do.
I think it is dangerous to generalise that poor are happy and rich are miserable. It has to do with what makes one happy - for some is the breeze, for others is a smile and comforting hand, for others an Hermés bag.
We - Europeans and American - may be richer than those people that live on $1 a day, but we certainly have other obligations and demandings in our lives (trying to trade places is a dangerous thing ahahahah) that somehow takes the shine from our realization feeling.
Once we had a Director who had arrived from Guinea Bissau where he had been in charge for a decade. He was used to paying people there in rice. Yes, rice. They were paid a kilo of rice per week; they had people in the company working so they could eat lunch and dinner; and when he came to Portugal he tried to apply the same principle here... didn't last long because it was simply not possible. We need our incomes to have a life - lunch and dinner won't just do.
I'll check your video later. Looking forward to...
Thank you for sharing,
Teresa
I agree with Teresa wholeheartedly. I also think that charity starts at home. With more and more people living on the poverty level here in our own country, we need to help where we can. Of course, we do not forget out African or South American neighbors; but we cannot do it all. I have just lost my job, and there are more and more unemployed every day around where I live. The food banks are stretched, and there is no relief in sight. I am wondering just how much extra some people need to live.
ReplyDeleteOh Hopflower, sorry to hear the news...and you are right, have you ever seen such problems at home, and such demand at the food banks??
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your situation hopflower. You hang in there :flower:.
ReplyDeleteHere, situations are becoming so serious that Church groups - as you know they are always asking for this and that - is starting to address the appeal "Pay attention first to your own neighborhood and do what you can to help"
Thank you both.
ReplyDeleteYes, the food banks are hurting and churches here are, too. I wonder about that when the government can spend $16 per muffin at meetings. Still, there has always been excess and waste in government. I just figured that one of the Justices, say, could whip up a cheaper batch at home and bring them in! Heheh.
I will be okay; it is not ideal, of course, but one thing is for certain: your life can change in five minutes---and that can mean for the better as well as for worse. I keep positive as best I can. Thank you again for your sentiments.
It is always interesting to me to see people who live in such poverty have hearts full of joy. I remember when I was a child and you would always hear "finish your food, children in Africa are starving", how sad this hasn't changed. The children in the video got to me, always do.
ReplyDeleteI say give where your heart tells you. We are all called to help and give in different ways, to different organizations and peoples. I prefer to lend my support to people and groups that provide education and training for improving lives, a hand up more than a hand out because I think that provides much longer lasting results. I do realize however, hand outs are needed as well.
Sorry to hear about your situation hopflower - good luck getting through this and finding another job.
I am inspired to check on my local food banks today.
tomorrow I will make a donation to two of my favorite local food banks. I thank you all for your comments, you have made me think.....and think.....God bless you all~
ReplyDeleteOh boo, I couldn't watch the video. I have been actively involved locally with Hope's Closet which benefits a local battered woman' shelter. We always walk for cancer and of course have a den of 10 cub scouts~ a few of which are lack of good parenting and need good role models. Art in public schools is virtually non existent anymore. I was the kid who only felt I excelled in that area, so what happens to those same type of kids today? Our country is in the toilet. But it starts with the kids. So once a month I teach and hopefully encourage.
ReplyDeleteSo happy Andrea and Laura to have two friends so caring as you!
ReplyDeleteFlower I hope something good comes your way soon. I have been there!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I think people are unhappy because they don't realize happiness has to be carried with them; not found. So many people look for happiness and never realize it's internal.
ReplyDeleteAs to helping...I help people I know, individuals who need a helping hand. We live in a very rural area and people who need help are neighbors, not folks eating at the soup kitchen or the mission. We don't have to look far to find someone to help.
Food banks will continue to do poorly because of the natural disasters in our country. When floods, hurricanes and tornadoes happen, food banks are emptied and, very slowly, refilled. Due to corporate cutbacks and outsourcing, businesses are cutting back their corporate giving...it's bad all the way 'round and looks like it's going to get a lot worse before it gets any better.
Each of us have different things that tug at our hearts and each of us respond differently and, unfortunately, the need is always greater than our ability to provide.
Doesn't stop me from doing my part though, -smile-.