Disaster after disaster -- what have you done to help?
Unless you've been living under a rock, you're aware of the numerous disasters and unsightly news we've been having all over the world.
(CNN HEADLINES)
- Bodies retrieved as quake toll tops 12,000
- India on alert after serial blasts kill 60
- U.S.: Myanmar junta unconcerned by cyclone
This doesn't include Tornadoes and wildfires happening in the US. What about the whole Darfur crisis and all the killings in Africa? The Drought in Spain?
No matter how hard you try to ignore reading or watching the news, you can't help it. It's all over. It's devastating what's happened to two Southeast Asian Nations for the past week alone. The Cyclone in Myanmar and the deadly Earthquake in China.
These two alone account for THOUSANDS of death. These are natural disasters we don't have control of, but what's more devastating is we're adding to these deaths because of man-made violence and disasters.
With all of these happening lately, what have you done to help? Have you even tried or thought of helping?
I'm more than thankful that even though I live in Southeast Asia, we haven't been struck by any of these natural disasters. Yet I cannot stop praying for these to NOT happen here, most especially when I'm at work and my son's at home.
When you turn on the TV or browse the internet, you see just how devastating these have been. I'm familiar with these because geographically, we have had similar experiences such as these at one point since I was born. I am just again thankful my family and I have been lucky to not experience as much grief and devastation of losing a home or a family member. Yet, it's still something I understand and I feel for the victims.
I believe these are things that couldn't have been avoided. These are things that no man is responsible for. I hate to say it but all the bombings and wars happening are something I have a hard time giving help to. But yes, I do know that the victims were innocent and they did not want anything to do with these. Children most especially.
As a citizen of this world, I feel an obligation to help my fellow citizens by giving whatever I can. Be it time, money, food, clothing or service. I always make it a point I show gratitude by paying it forward - giving to those in need.
It's not just the sense of responsibility and obligation, but the wonderful feeling of being able to give back, a way of thanking the "greater being" for keeping me and my family safe and healthy.
If financial situations allow, we give something to a charity that helps these devastated nations apart from the monthly charity donations we give. They're not much but we give what we can. Nothing is ever too little.
Have you extended a helping hand lately?
(CNN HEADLINES)
- Bodies retrieved as quake toll tops 12,000
- India on alert after serial blasts kill 60
- U.S.: Myanmar junta unconcerned by cyclone
This doesn't include Tornadoes and wildfires happening in the US. What about the whole Darfur crisis and all the killings in Africa? The Drought in Spain?
No matter how hard you try to ignore reading or watching the news, you can't help it. It's all over. It's devastating what's happened to two Southeast Asian Nations for the past week alone. The Cyclone in Myanmar and the deadly Earthquake in China.
These two alone account for THOUSANDS of death. These are natural disasters we don't have control of, but what's more devastating is we're adding to these deaths because of man-made violence and disasters.
With all of these happening lately, what have you done to help? Have you even tried or thought of helping?
I'm more than thankful that even though I live in Southeast Asia, we haven't been struck by any of these natural disasters. Yet I cannot stop praying for these to NOT happen here, most especially when I'm at work and my son's at home.
When you turn on the TV or browse the internet, you see just how devastating these have been. I'm familiar with these because geographically, we have had similar experiences such as these at one point since I was born. I am just again thankful my family and I have been lucky to not experience as much grief and devastation of losing a home or a family member. Yet, it's still something I understand and I feel for the victims.
I believe these are things that couldn't have been avoided. These are things that no man is responsible for. I hate to say it but all the bombings and wars happening are something I have a hard time giving help to. But yes, I do know that the victims were innocent and they did not want anything to do with these. Children most especially.
As a citizen of this world, I feel an obligation to help my fellow citizens by giving whatever I can. Be it time, money, food, clothing or service. I always make it a point I show gratitude by paying it forward - giving to those in need.
It's not just the sense of responsibility and obligation, but the wonderful feeling of being able to give back, a way of thanking the "greater being" for keeping me and my family safe and healthy.
If financial situations allow, we give something to a charity that helps these devastated nations apart from the monthly charity donations we give. They're not much but we give what we can. Nothing is ever too little.
Have you extended a helping hand lately?
Noise Voyage
It's amazing that despite these tragities occuring, media where I live (Australia) are failing to mention what a big deal this is. They tend to run coverage after sport.
I've found a charity organisation that's currently delivering aid in Burma is Rotary. The organisation is sending ShelterBoxes to those in need, each which contain living supplies for 10 people. To donate to this visit http://www.shelterbox.org/.
I'm not from Rotary but when I head about these amazing survival packs I couldn't help but get passionate about it.
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Cirrus Cloud
Parent Adventures
thanks for the info KD
nice seeing you here by the way
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Yes, we should always extend helps whenever we can! However I don't think we should feel obliged to have to help. As you said Hazel that these things are sometimes unpreventable, and if not caused by natural disasters, it'll be caused by political tension and instability. Sometimes it really is out of our hands to help and often, the money and aid we donate don't end up in where it is most needed (take the Burmese tragedy for example, I don't want to donate just yet because I know most of the aid is still stranded outside the country) - we need to help but need to make sure the help does get there and not just blindly donate... I feel sometimes in these situations charity organisations or certain non-profit groups use these as opportunities to advertise themselves and make you feel bad for being a bad world citizen... when we have other problems in our lives to deal with first... (you can't really help financially if you are in a bit of financial trouble yourself... as an example)
Sorry - a big blurb, but it's an issue close to my heart.
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Cirrus Cloud
Parent Adventures
I know what you mean when you say you want to make sure first before you donate. I always do that. I make sure the charities I am familiar with or charities I am referred to are already helping these communities. For example, as much as I wanted to help China already, I couldn't coz charities have yet to organize aid to the country... but I"m checking regularly.
don't apologize, it was a nice blurb