Before you read on, be warned, I am sick and emotional - this is not a funny blog entry:
It is a funny thing, we all see it, we all hear about it - we are faced almost daily with the horrific pictures that depict the starvation and inhumane acts these poor refugees are subject to - yet with so many of us - capable of donating at least our pocket change, our time - we look away and continue living here in the cushioned society of North America while there is still so much injustice and extreme poverty at hand.
This year I decided not to be just another hanging head that weeps at the sad stories and photographs - but does nothing to make a difference. This year instead of Christmas presents for myself I asked my relatives to donate to the UNHCR. Unfortunately only my sister decided to actually do this for me - the others opted out of the donation altogether.
I am surprised that the others could not commit to my simple request. In this spoiled society it is as if we are trapped with the idea that we need to give and receive material things, things we consider to have value, and therefore consider to give us added value, in order to feel a sense of worth and happiness.
I could spend my time being ashamed, but I take this opportunity to push forward with better ways to improve the world we live in and my own sense of worth within it.
I have taken to teaching my eldest daughter (9 years old) about how important it is to help others who are not as fortunate as us. I have asked her to divide her allowance into three parts - One part to save, the other to spend and finally one part for a charity of her choice.
With so many issues in the world today she is having a hard time deciding which charity to donate to first!
With my both my girls (2 and 9) I just try to make sure that I am constantly exposing them to positive things, and even sometimes, harsh realities - (though not too harsh, they are young yet) that will educate and enlighten them - Teaching them to be gentle, caring, strong and constantly aware from a young age so that they can grow into adults ready to take part in making a change in the causes they believe in.
It is clear that a drastic change is needed in our world for our environment, for our animals and for our people. They are all individually and together in desperate need of help and we as a rich society have the money and the capabilities to make a difference that is needed.
It wasn't till I traveled to Cuba before I really recognised poverty. A woman who will trade a beautiful hand made drum for a colouring book to give to her children, a maid who will make a giant towel swan in thanks for some dollar store plastic hair clips, a family who will cheer and celebrate wildly because they were given toothpaste and toothbrushes.
A quote in Angelina Jolie's book, Notes From My Travels, reads: 'I honestly believe that if we were all aware, we would all be compelled to act. So the question is not how or why I would do this with my life. The question is, how could I not?'
Even with the risk of being mocked as an 'Angelina Jolie' wanna be. I cannot stand the idea of leaving things alone, hoping they'll figure themsleves out.
One person can change the world, because behind every-one is
another...and another.
We mustn't forget or give up.
http://www.unhcr.ca/
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