January 25, 2009
I Dare You 4
I was reading the Whittaker Woman blog today and she posted this very moving video about three orphans in Uganda. It has moved me to tears. To think about the utter poverty and conditions that so many children live in today. Here in this country we gripe about high gas prices, politicians, and the loads of stuff that we already own and the stuff we want to own and yet their are little ones out there who suffer while many of us stick our heads into the sand. We are so deeply blessed here in this country that we have taken for granted all that we have, so much so that we bicker and fight and want more. We are fast becoming a society of entitlement. The only thing we are entitled to is our abilities. We need to use those abilities to care for others. To care for the least of these. No matter who you are in this country, you still live in a nation that is full of people who can do more. You can probably do more. I know that I can do more.
I dare you to watch. And I dare you to do something, anything, for someone else because your heart was moved by what you saw on this clip. I dare you.
Jan 25, 2009 @ 09:10:27
Unbelievable yet so believable, it always amazes me when I see how far just a little nutrition goes. We are so blessed to live here and yet we need reminders that we are not alone on this planet and there are children in need everywhere.
Take Care Cora
Jan 25, 2009 @ 10:00:04
So much suffering in the world that we don’t often see here in America. So tragic. Yes, I believe each of us can do something – and then even more.
Jan 25, 2009 @ 19:54:14
This is such a complex issue. Other cultures do not value orphans and the disabled as we do. To be either (or both) in many societies is to be less than human. When we Westerners swoop in and attempt to help, these communities can feel confused at best, and judged, as if their beliefs are wrong. Even our desire to vaccinate children against polio is seen as suspect by many impoverished groups.
One thing that can help enormously is simply birth control. Sadly, many women in third world countries have no choice in how many children they must bear. Overpopulation strains scarce resources, and hard choices are made by desperate families, such as who gets to eat, and who has to wait.
Unfortunately, many faith-based programs do nothing to address a woman’s burden of perpetual pregnancy. Not helping a woman stop the cycle of unplanned pregnancy is basically encouraging women to “be fruitful and multiply,” which is clearly the wrong message.
Life is sacred, but every child should be a wanted child. I don’t condone abortion, but I do believe strongly in prevention.
Jan 25, 2009 @ 21:21:33
Very good and valid points Heather! Thanks for sharing.