World Vision 30 Hour Famine Camp
I've always felt that this is a most meaningful activity and actually do wanna be a participant instead of a helper but I also learn as a helper. Not a single famine camp was a lousy one; neither was it a waste of time and each has left me with new knowledge on the global poverty issue. Poverty - so vast you cannot imagine how bad it gets. All the issues that result from it. Sighz. Life in Singapore cannot be anything close to bad when you see how they live. Stop comparing yourselves with those who are better-off; start comparing yourselves with those who are worse-off and you might just see life in a different light.
Dear World Vision
I know this comes a bit late but I needed some time to process my after-thoughts and was also tied down with some other agenda. This email is with regards to the 30 Hour Famine Camp that was held last week at SAJC. What provoked me to write this was the outburst of 1 of the students during the debrief led by Camp Chief, Grace. On a side note, Grace did a good job seeing that it is her first camp too.
The million dollar question, "What are we doing here? What is this all about? Why are we doing all these?" I stopped to think about her words. I think it's a good call for everyone to take a step back from what we are doing and just think about the meaning of it all.
I used to think I was poor. This was way back when I was a student. To me, no air-conditioning, no unlimited broadband internet access and no car meant that I was poor. Yes, I hear a lot about the poor and how much they suffer but that's all it got to me. I only "hear" about it. I will give a few cents to the donation tins during a drive but that would be all the effort I put in to "helping" them.
In 1999, I was introduced to World Vision and I began helping out as a volunteer, folding receipts. There were times where I asked myself, "What am I doing this for? How does it help them?" I started finding out what the receipts were for and where they were going. Each receipt meant that another child/community is being helped! Ok, more receipts! Bring them on. Then I heard about the famine camp and it was an eye-opener for me.
I knew they suffered, but I never knew the extent of their devastation. Each year, I avail myself to help at the famine camp for one reason. To spread the information of the vast devastation and suffering of these needy people so that there will be more help for them. Each camp I attend bring new insight. These are just some of what I take away with each camp I help in.
1. Poverty is complex; that's why there is no simple solution.
2. Clean drinking water is inaccessible.
3. They are sexually exploited at very young ages.
4. Aids spreads very fast! We are all at risk.
5. People actually live in cemeteries.
This year's camp had a different edge to it. In fact, each year's camp is different. I wouldn't say the program is improving because it wasn't "bad" the previous years. It's just that the message and objective of the camps are always changing. Yet, the bottomline of the message is to allieviate poverty but the people suffer in so many other ways.
Thank you, World Vision, for helping me to understand the lives of these people. Through you, I know how much hardship they face and I am moved with a compassion to help them in the little ways I can. My actions to help is same as what the objective of the camp - increase awareness. Many people still do not know the information you have.
Kudos to all the World Vision staff. You folks truly have a heart of gold. I believe all our efforts will go a long way to reach these people. The famine camp helps us to learn to be grateful for what we have and moves us all to help. I believe many who attend the camp will return as child sponsors when they have the means to. I am one of those. Your work touches the heart of God and the lives of these people. God bless each one of you.
Regards
Camy
Dear World Vision
I know this comes a bit late but I needed some time to process my after-thoughts and was also tied down with some other agenda. This email is with regards to the 30 Hour Famine Camp that was held last week at SAJC. What provoked me to write this was the outburst of 1 of the students during the debrief led by Camp Chief, Grace. On a side note, Grace did a good job seeing that it is her first camp too.
The million dollar question, "What are we doing here? What is this all about? Why are we doing all these?" I stopped to think about her words. I think it's a good call for everyone to take a step back from what we are doing and just think about the meaning of it all.
I used to think I was poor. This was way back when I was a student. To me, no air-conditioning, no unlimited broadband internet access and no car meant that I was poor. Yes, I hear a lot about the poor and how much they suffer but that's all it got to me. I only "hear" about it. I will give a few cents to the donation tins during a drive but that would be all the effort I put in to "helping" them.
In 1999, I was introduced to World Vision and I began helping out as a volunteer, folding receipts. There were times where I asked myself, "What am I doing this for? How does it help them?" I started finding out what the receipts were for and where they were going. Each receipt meant that another child/community is being helped! Ok, more receipts! Bring them on. Then I heard about the famine camp and it was an eye-opener for me.
I knew they suffered, but I never knew the extent of their devastation. Each year, I avail myself to help at the famine camp for one reason. To spread the information of the vast devastation and suffering of these needy people so that there will be more help for them. Each camp I attend bring new insight. These are just some of what I take away with each camp I help in.
1. Poverty is complex; that's why there is no simple solution.
2. Clean drinking water is inaccessible.
3. They are sexually exploited at very young ages.
4. Aids spreads very fast! We are all at risk.
5. People actually live in cemeteries.
This year's camp had a different edge to it. In fact, each year's camp is different. I wouldn't say the program is improving because it wasn't "bad" the previous years. It's just that the message and objective of the camps are always changing. Yet, the bottomline of the message is to allieviate poverty but the people suffer in so many other ways.
Thank you, World Vision, for helping me to understand the lives of these people. Through you, I know how much hardship they face and I am moved with a compassion to help them in the little ways I can. My actions to help is same as what the objective of the camp - increase awareness. Many people still do not know the information you have.
Kudos to all the World Vision staff. You folks truly have a heart of gold. I believe all our efforts will go a long way to reach these people. The famine camp helps us to learn to be grateful for what we have and moves us all to help. I believe many who attend the camp will return as child sponsors when they have the means to. I am one of those. Your work touches the heart of God and the lives of these people. God bless each one of you.
Regards
Camy