NGO’s
and Grass
Roots
Fast Lesson
Tsunami in SE Asia
is a very fast lesson in International Relations. The Politics of Aid
often means that those who have raised the money can’t spend the money;
those responsible to delivering the aid have only received pledges;
those who need the aid are not getting the aid; and those who are
distant from major transportation hubs are likely to never see foreign
hands bearing relief.
What we find in the 21st century of social consciousness is the
understanding that we SHARE the planet. We are joined together in
many ways. Natural disasters will come to each land, and our
ability or inability to meet those challenges will somehow affect other
nations through the UN forums, labor and production to developed
countries, trade imbalances, loan repayments to global institutions,
and migration of affected peoples.
Aid &
National Values
So, what happens
when thousands of foreigners descend upon your shores and bring ideas,
methods, materials and cultural practice hitherto unknown? The
upper classes of the society sent to western schools are thoroughly
ingrained in national ideology. What happens when the masses get a hold
of new ideas? How to you maintain your values and heritage?
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"We, as a
global community have gotten
better at saving lives, but we
have new issues."
As remarked by the Red Cross District Management:
“The problem
is - Once we save their lives, and put them into camps, they
never leave. We haven’t got a program to get them out…they adjust and
then that becomes their life. We now have more people in refugee camps
around the world than we can continue to manage. They need to go on
with their lives.”
So what
works?
We need each other
at all levels. We need
the emergency forces of International Aid. We need the
small-targeted NGO's. We need the long staying power of
organization that can create recovery and rebuilding plans, Yet, even
with formal assistance something
always slips through the cracks. Who can help? Any
person. We each can see a need an respond.
A common person can make a
difference
Children Speak: Tsunami exists to show the children's artwork and serve
as a conduit to help the children who made the drawings. Funds are
directed to provide tuition and educational support. If you would like
to help, we welcome your assistance.
Children Speak: Tsunami is an example of making an difference. You can
make a difference for these children. As an individual you can
contribute your resources, skills, or abilities to make the world a
better place. Whether it is helping far away or near at home, you
can help to change people's lives.
- You can make a difference.
- You can help one community, one school,
or one family.
- You can help one child continue their
education.
Let's make a
difference now!
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