There are literally millions of people on the planet who need to be saved in one way or the other. The poor, depressed, uneducated, heart broken, orphaned, displaced, the rich (yes the rich need to be saved from themselves) but generally the poor need our efforts more and need us to bring them hope. But who do we save? Who is more important? Are we content saving one soul or determined to save millions? how can we do our part and still make a difference?
To give hope to these people and to assure them that they are not alone in this world is imperative. In fact it is our duty as human beings to treat our fellow humans regardless of colour or creed with the same kindness that we would expect. The grim fact is that most of the world is below the bread line and this and other economic and social factors leads to a backlog of people who are barely surviving. Everyday thousands die without a hope of being anything but a bleak statistic which organizations use to take rich people on a guilt trip.
There are numerous relief agencies and other NGO's doing tremendous work in parts of the world that some people dont even know exist. Even movie stars are making efforts to help the poor and the less fortunate adopting a kid here and there and giving them a life they would have never had. They are helping millions but still it doesnt seem to be enough and not all of us can give up so much of our time in this noble venture. Some of you will say thats nonsense and there is always time. I hope im not alone on this but sometimes there is just no time with all the other responsibilities in life and what you intend doing and what you do are never the same.
Now we all want to do something to help and to make a difference and well frankly feel alittle better because I dont think there is a person alive that doesnt feel good when helping someone so its not completely selfless. We not angels we are mortal and all have our own agendas. Now I havent made a point yet but I think I will soon,well you have read till here so please continue :)
The topic is as you can see One or a Million! who do you save? and thats my question. Is saving a million people more noble then saving one? Does it matter? Do we need to like keep score and compete about the amount of people we have helped? Keep it at a grass roots level or reach for the stars and spread yourself thin? Does one life mean less than a million?
Ofcourse I know the more people you help the better right? but what if you cant. In my opinion saving a life or helping a person is just as good as saving a million. Bringing a smile to a child who has lost his/her parents, assisting a disabled child onto his wheel chair, teaching a child to read and write, Helping an old man turn a page of a book his reading, consoling a single mother, teaching a person how to farm his land or fish, even a simple hug just to make a person feel loved are small gestures that go along way. They may seem small and insignificant but these small gestures can mean the world to a person.
Fine a hug cant make there hunger disappear, stop genocide or drought and im not saying you shouldnt give them food or relief im just saying that there is more to it then "indifferent relief". Feeding a million people will fill there bellies but teaching one man how to feed himself and he will pass that knowledge down and enable further generations to feed themselves and in essence helping thousands. Ok so basically im advocating education and some heart and thats how I feel I can help people. I could feed hundreds but if I havent brought a smile to a persons face or given them hope through a kind word, personally it will be a very hollow gesture. However I could feed one person and give them hope or even a smile and I will feel content because one life is priceless so it doesnt matter. Ok maybe my idea is abit idealistic and naive but its my view and ill practice it.
We all want to make the world turn and a better place I think I will take it one person at a time and make a difference in there life. I may make the world turn slowly but it will turn
A Red Dawn Breaks over Africa... Blood has been shed, animal or human the difference is often a blur. Millions get up to start their day not knowing how they will end it or who will end it. Lying on a crude bed or in the dust covered in blood this day will end. Bands of Men displaced and impoverished arm themselves. Calling themselves Freedom fighters or rebel alliances trying to free the nation but they only cause more oppression. They free the nation by killing its people and hording it riches until another group of men arm themselves and the process begins a new. Death leads to more death.
Will the opression in Africa ever end in this land forgotten by the world. From its early beginings is has been enslaved by foreign powers only interested in raping the land for their own personal gain. The English, French, Belgian they all came to Africa with the sole purpose of strengthening there empires at the cost of the Black man at the cost of Africa. They came to this continent and described it as dark and considered Africans as sub human, not even homo sapien but a seperate branch of human. They took what they wanted and subjugated millions, teaching them to hate and fear and then left without a thought at what they had done.
“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said, 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.”Bishop Desmond Tutu
Indoctrinated into a warped ideology Africa's children are robbed of her innocence. Never given the opportunities of there western counterparts, what did they do to deserve this. Is the life of a white western child worth more than the life of an African child ? 300.000 child soldiers all locked and loaded ready to kill at a drop of a Hat when they should be learning about Dr Seuss and his Cat in a Hat. This is not meant to be. How can we stand by and allow the breeding of mass murders? How can we be so indifferent?
Civil Wars fueled by the weapons of the west rage on in every part of the continent, caused buy the void left by the colonial powers. Genocide, ethnic cleansing, mass rape, and the displacement of millions of people from their homes. Atrocities galore, but who will help a bunch of poor Africans with no oil and nothing to offer. The West stands by and talks whilst Africans die. Africa is alone and it will destroy itself alone. Refugees walking miles upon miles to escape the horror. The horror we have been desensitized to, the horror we think shedding a tear will help prevent, the horror we would not be able to endure or survive.
"A genocide in Africa has not received the same attention that genocide in Europe or genocide in Turkey or genocide in other part of the world. There is still this kind of basic discrimination against the African people and the African problems. " Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Africa's potential is undoutedly wasted. Limitless resources but without the knowledge of how to use it, its useless. The west buys the material and sells the finish product for double the price. If they cant afford it they are advised to take a loan from the world bank and then they are indebt forever. At the beck and call of the west, never independent never free. Still Slaves in a world free of slavery. The pope has apologised for the crusades but I personally have never heard anyone apologise for slavery.
People say that slaves were taken from Africa. This is not true: People were taken from Africa, among them healers and priests, and were made into slaves. Abdullah Ibrahim
Starving children everywhere you turn like a plague, an investation at the roots of this continent. Often homeless and orphaned who will take care of them. Who will tuck them in at night or read them a bed time story? Will they ever get the opportunity to learn about einstein or mozart let alone aspire to be like them. Come to think of it will they even reach the age of 11?
The red soil of Africa darkens each day with the blood of her children, fighting for causes that are not their own. Brothers killing brothers. Children killing the old. A generation wiped out by the barrel of a gun. Western bullets ripping through African flesh for buried treasure caked in blood. The colonialists still dictate the lives of Africans with their need for wealth. The Motherland was once a place of life the birthplace of all mankind but now it's an inescapable graveyard for its inhabitants. Thousands murdered in the prime of their life in the pursuit of "freedom" is it worth it? A new day a new war... This is Africa
This post was inspired by movies like "The Constant Garderner", "Hotel Rwanda" and "Blood diamond" All great movies which I highly recommend. We cannot stand by anymore, we must act. We need to make Africa a better place we need to bring back peace and educate its people so that we can finaly see its beauty with out the haze of gun fire and the stains of blood.
God bless Africa, Guard her people, Guide her leaders, And give her peace. Trevor Huddleston
My marks came out yesterday. Now I dont have to tell you but i was panicking abit and wondering if I messed up or worse FAILED. However im glad to report that yes (as my friend bob above feels) I'm Absolutely ECSTATIC! My marks came out yesterday and Thanks to the All Mighty and all your duas I PASSED. I didnt do to badly either hey, yes QL I may have over reacted and definately over stressed a tad bit :) I am so glad I can now breathe a huge sigh of relief. *sigh* Now I can enjoy my holiday and relax well until it starts all overs again next year. Thats results now for travel :)
Yes I just returned to the blogosphere but alas I must leave for awhile *sniff sniff* I leave for egypt on thursday and return a day before Eid and boy am I excited. I've always loved history and as the pic above clearly shows egypt is just one of those places filled to the brim with history and culture. The land of the Pharoahs, The Nile, Mummies, Gods, Myths, History, and failed conquests of many nations it has it all. I'll take alot of pictures and hopefully feedback. Now for some thoughts
I've had this song stuck in my head for awhile now. This song and its lyrics are just too beautiful. If you havent heard it i recommend that you do. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
Congratulations to Ruqaya Al Ghasara. She won the 200m final and the Asia games. In my opinion a great ambassador for all muslim women especially in the current climate. She showed that the headscarf and modest islamic dressing is no hinderence to any muslim women in any field even sports. The headscarf is not a tool to subjugate women nor is it oppressive.
"Wearing a veil proves that Muslim women face no obstacles and encourages them to participate in sport"
Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow -- You are not wrong, who deem That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roar Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand -- How few! yet how they creep Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep -- while I weep! O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem But a dream within a dream?
LEAVING ON A JET PLANE DONT KNOW WHEN ILL BE BACK AGAIN!
Bishop Desmond Tutu
My marks came out yesterday. Now I dont have to tell you but i was panicking abit and wondering if I messed up or worse FAILED. However im glad to report that yes (as my friend bob above feels) I'm Absolutely ECSTATIC! My marks came out yesterday and Thanks to the All Mighty and all your duas I PASSED. I didnt do to badly either hey, yes QL I may have over reacted and definately over stressed a tad bit :) I am so glad I can now breathe a huge sigh of relief. *sigh* Now I can enjoy my holiday and relax well until it starts all overs again next year. Thats results now for travel :)
