So many things we take for granted in our homes... the water supply, electricity, having food on our table... although for this last one, we do have to work a bit. Leave our unproductive side apart and move our brain cells to bring some value to the process of creation. Regardless of our profession, we just can't work without some inspiration, right? A little spark that moves big things, a mystery that is out of our comprehension as a cluttered and worried mind can't bring anything good.
But a little idea, accompanied by a good intention for sure can become reality, of course, with a lot of work in between. When many hands work together on one goal, we can witness some exceptional things happening around us. Though we can apply all this to our own personal experience, we can also see that there are organizations that would work together and would do good for many people. There are so many bad things in this world we live in that we kind of became used to them. Can it be true? Can't we just open our eyes for once and see that there are parts of the world that live in extreme poverty? How many children are deprived of some basic rights such as education or drinking water?
We tend to forget all this, closing our eyes to the unprivileged ones. Maybe we don't do it on purpose, but just as we are settled well in our lives and live in our little bubble. The photo exposition that I saw recently tries to bring up that topic, to remind us it's not easy everywhere to get a basic thing like a glass of water.
The photo exposition was brought here, to our library (as one of the collaborators of the event) but the MUSOL foundation is behind it. The sad thing is that I didn't find out who was the author of the photos, they didn't state it. I don't know why, maybe I just couldn't find that information. Anyway, the main accent of this event is highlighting the projects this organisation is working on.
As I seem to understand, this organization works on around 30 projects in countries such as Guatemala, Senegal, Bolivia and others. Some of their goals are to provide better conditions in the fields of the human right to water and sanitation, and nutrition through helping agriculture and development, with an emphasis on employment. We could see the photos from those three countries.
Maybe I had to do better research from the little booklet I took from there so I write here what are the concrete numbers and issues these countries face and how the organisation can help... Though that would not be the real purpose of this post. I know, it is great to bring information and concentrate on them but why not take direction to our own thoughts and questions?
How we can help, as individuals, a person living on the edge of poverty? Can we share our knowledge and resources in a non-selfish way, bringing a smile to the faces of others? Although these photos show some countries so remote from mine, and I can feel like someone who can't do anything, I know that we can help our closest ones. In different ways.
Helping out your neighbour or a student whose parents can't pay for the lessons? We should do that. Buying bags of food and clothes for a friend who couldn't do it by herself? We should do that. Giving away some of your belongings, as you realize the other would have more benefits from it? We should do that. Wouldn't it give us a better feeling too, not to mention the benefits the other person can get?
Questions... so many on all fields I already made, but let's concentrate just on a few ones to conclude this post.
What are the ways you think one can help to bring more unity and provide basic human rights in so many countries where it is still so needed? Do you help some organizations whose aims are to bring fresh water, education, or else to those in need? Maybe you help the people you see living close to you, and you take action to help them. Share with us your thoughts and experiences if you like!
Hello,
Needed reading and reflection. You always gift your readers with profound thoughts and this one on how we can help others, of what we do while living our comfortable lives in a bubble has left me thinking long and hard.
However I have a bit of mixed feelings with giving and how you give. For example, I don't like to give what I have left over or what I don't use. This I prefer to donate to an institution that is dedicated to charity. Some people might say that we have nothing left over, but I think we do. We fill our lives with things we don't need.
So, what I want to say is that I share what I have even if it is necessary for me. For example, let's say, if you ask me for a loaf of bread because you don't have breakfast and I have only one loaf of bread, then I give it to you and I will find something for breakfast.
Anyway... it's an idea, these are things that I go through all the time. Like arriving at an agromarket and seeing an old lady who wants to buy malangas and she can't afford it, so I give her mine even though I can't buy my malangas.
On the particular issue of access to water, these days I am very worried about my sister because here in Cuba she had water to drink just by turning on the tap, and now in Mexico it is not like that. She has to buy bottles of water. This can become a problem if you have had a lot of things to do and you forgot to buy a bottle of water and you get home thirsty. Nothing, you have left me thinking with your good publication. I hope you don't take so long to publish again.
Greetings from Havana
Hello :)
I do see that this topic made you think, and you took time to bring your reflection, this is also a gift. Thank you also for the effort to write in English.
Yes, I can see what you want to bring up here. It's an even a deeper topic in itself, giving things that we still need, not just those that we don't use anymore. The weight is not the same, I absolutely agree with you. An excellent observation, thank you! That's called a sacrifice. Sharing the goods we would still need, but giving them to those who need them more is a much deeper level of giving. Though it is good to know whether the other person will need it or not. I think when I mentioned giving away the things we do not need anymore I had a clear picture of a situation I had in past, I was referring to it. I was moving from the country of living and we gave away our belongings from the house to others. I gave the two acoustic pianos I had to my nieces, one piano to each one, and I am so glad they had good use of them. Also, the majority of my books, scores, and music recordings went to them. We gave away almost all the furniture and house appliances, so when we go to our old home and stay for two months we have one bed, two tables and four chairs. Enough. Like camping haha. But I also give away things I don't need anymore, and it certainly doesn't have the same depth. That is so true.
You are doing a great thing, sharing with those who don't have enough to pay for the malangas (I have to confess, I have searched for what malangas are) or I am sure any other thing you notice that a person in front of you will need, you will give. Great personal trait!
Oh no, that is a situation in Mexico with water? It is not nice at all. Plus all the plastic bottles one has to buy and later throw away. Although the tap water here is ok to drink, still we prefer a natural spring for it.
Thank you for your outstanding reflection @nanixxx!! Greetings back to Havana :)
A great topic!
Even if we're far away we can surely do a bit to help.
I don't buy shampoos etc. anymore, but look for unpackaged alternatives, which are getting more and more common luckily, but it's trial and error to find something that works.
Just a few of my points.. haha
Thanks for this post!
Just a few of your points? :D hehe
These are great things you highlight here. Supporting locally the food banks is something I do like. Also, there is one organization here in our town that helps unprivileged families, women who were victims of gender violence etc. They give away food, clothes, and education supplies, organize courses, etc.
We can also find a few charity shops around, mainly ex-pats that lead them and work as volunteers. The money from the sold stuff goes for the needed ones and cancer research etc. Well, at least that is what they state, so we hope it is indeed the case.
Waste. I notice that we all use so much plastic, so I also try to reduce the use of the same... But it is way much easier at my mother's place for example, they have veggies and fruits (when it is the season for them) from the garden, no need to buy all those in plastic packages that are sold in the supermarkets. I don't have a garden here, but yes a fresh food market, so it means less packaging for the food at least. The other things, I hope will become more widespread... the eco-friendly shampoos and toothpaste packaging for example.
Thank you so much, Anke for your comment and the excellent points you share with us!
Greetings :))
I think the best thing we can do is connect on a human level and learn the culture and lifestyle from the inside if possible. It’s really easy to criticize or to think we have a solution to help someone when we come from different set of experiences and world view but sometimes those solutions don’t fit the situation or values of the people, and sometimes we over complicate things by trying to help without making a true connection. Sometimes suffering is caused by small minded thinking and not what we expect.
I want to be able to live and think like someone before I make any suggestions about how their lives might be improved.
One thing that really moved me was how easy it was to make friends with a few homeless people in Hong Kong compared to how difficult it was in Japan. Most people would consider Japan a place with a higher standard of living (although Hong Kong has a lot of money and a large middle class). One main difference between the two for a homeless person is that Hong Kong has free public showers.
I couldn’t even get close to the homeless people I met in Japan, the smell was overwhelming (lol no offense to them), and I imagine not being able to shower only compounds shame and depression. This kind of thing makes it a lot harder to interact with people who live in society.
I’ve heard many people in many countries talk about helping homeless people but no one ever brings up things like free showers. I don’t even think HK has better policies towards homeless people, it’s just that this one feature of the city makes life a little less difficult for people on the street.
In both places it’s difficult for homeless people to find a job because they have no official address. Wouldn’t the easiest thing in the world be to have a free address that homeless people could use on their job applications??? It’s rare to hear ideas like this thrown around, only typical answers like food and education when often it’s not an issue.
The guys I talked to said they could find food easily and they had skills from previous jobs but no phone number or address were the big hurdle for them. Most people didn’t know that because within the NGO’s and govt organizations they didn’t have a chance to chat with these people, only give them food and greet them quickly.
Long answer 😆 this is something I think about a lot because I’ve been so surprised by how different many things were from my imagination on many occasions.
Oh, wow, such a great opinion, thanks for reading my post and expressing your thoughts.
It is spot on, the best is when we can act upon the experience we get from knowing the cultural and social situation from the inside. That is why I also think it is sometimes better to help your neighbour, to help someone you know from your society as then we know what really that person would need.
I didn't know the difference between the situation of homeless people in Japan and Hong Kong. So, yeah, showers should be available, but I guess not many countries care that much. Here I see always the same homeless people, for years, they have their places where they spend the day and each one is close to the entrance of a supermarket. They kind of respect it and they talk to the passers-by and some of them also say they are fine with that lifestyle. Can it be true, they just accepted that so as to be easier to deal with the situation or indeed they don't want to change the situation they are living in?
I just have to highlight this sentence, I agree with you!
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Hello @mipiano friend... As always, your lines are clean, eloquent and charmingly legibles... This photographic exhibition is really charming and "touches" a complex subject which (as you say) is sometimes easy to pass by.. The issue of people who live beyond the poverty line is complex, sometimes it scares us a bit... I know, because I take street photography almost daily and here in my town I have something of that on hand ... So, even for me it has been difficult to immerse myself in something so complex, but surely with the time I will... Obviously I mean "photographing poverty in its purest state"... Because here the issue of helping to others it is something almost daily... Since the social, cultural, economic and political crisis is so deep that those of us "less affected" get used to providing support to others almost routinely... Whether it is medicines, education, food, clothes or even the simple gesture of sitting down to talk and share with someone who need it... Anything goes as long as you can help others...
Beautiful publication... A relevant and necessary topic... Thanks for sharing... Happy week...
!discovery 33
!PIZZA
Hey @jlinaresp, a pleasure to read your comment, as always :)
We can become so "blind" to these things, unfortunately, but this photo exhibition served well for bringing up the topic. Yeah, I can imagine that while you take street photography at your place you meet a lot of stories, people, and circumstances that show the hard reality, but at the same the goodness of those to help, even if it is sharing the little they have. That is indeed touching and seeing it "first-hand" is a completely different thing. I had the luck to grow up in a not so perfect conditions (like war and hyperinflation), so I think it helped me to become grateful for all the good things I have and not craving for unnecessary stuff. Also not wasting the goods we have is important.
Thank you so much for all the thoughts you shared with us and your equally eloquent comments :) Greeting to your family and also, a happy start to the week.
Unfortunately as you already stated, bigger part of humanity is simply blind or it tends to close eyes on images like this.
It's way to easier to shut yourself down, minding your own business than to try and change something even if that is a tiny little thing.
Luckily there are non government organisations that are still trying to do something for the better tomorrow!
I suppose that mine efforts to help are almost invisible, but:
-giving some cash to the homeless
-buying food (especially for the kids on streets)
-giving away wardrobe
-sending SMS donations for the sick ones
-buying products from those hard working people
It's a shame that author is anonymous, but I wouldn't be surprised if he insisted to stay so
Tvoje malo je nečije puno, divno napisan tekst...
❤️
Hey there @alt3r
So glad to see you :)), it's been a while! I had a small pause in posting.
Yes, our small thing can be a huge thing for someone, we should not forget that either.
I remember that while I was still studying, I was not working but had little cash with me from the scholarship. I knew a girl for several months and spent some time here and there together watching a movie or else, who had a difficult family situation, she moved away to a place with her boyfriend where they didn't have to pay for the rent. It was a story in itself, as she also got pregnant... So, one day I was close to some shops and saw the trousers I wanted to buy for some time. Well, I ended up buying a bunch of other things that would fit her, plus fresh food and handed her out. I was happy doing it, even if she never called me back later. But the feeling of that buying for others and not for yourself was good in the moment of doing it :)
Yeah, the SMS thingy there... it is still the main source of money for those who need surgery or health care, and it still didn't improve in terms that bigger organizations would taking the initiative, right? A sad thing for ill people in S. but there are always good-hearted people, like you 😇
How the things at your side? Didn't even check your blog for some time, I am sorry :/
Greetings to the other half too :D
Hvala ti puno, ljubim vas i nedostajete ovih dana!! 💝
Heeelllloooooo @mipiano , I had a break from the screen myself (hope you enjoyed it) and welcome back! :))
Your story reminded me of my friend from childhood who was one of the refugees of the terrible event in Croatia, I remember when she came to kindergarten on the first day, all terrified. Mom explained to us what happened, and my brother and I separated toys and clothes to give them. All four of us were friends for years, and then life took its course and they went their separate ways, all contact was lost.
In the end, only beautiful memories remained.
Yes, unfortunately due to the poor health system, SMS support is the only salvation (especially for children) for going abroad for treatment, considering that everything goes through private funds (about which I am skeptical), it is very disturbing when parents announce astronomical figures that are necessary for them, but with the good will of the people, many children succeeded and now live carefree.
Although doubtful, it united many people and proved that together we can do much more than individually.
What I see nowadays as biggest problem is lack of empathy, we don't share our emotions and situations with others, some because of pride and some because they had bad experiences.
You already know what can be found on my menu, a little sugar, a little chatter and a few photos ;) I don't blame you, you'll make up for what you missed :)p In the last few days, I've been soaking up the February sun while digging in the garden and waiting for spring, the other half is cutting wood.:D
Znas gde nas mozes naci, muah - muah! 💜
Znam, znam, na leto u vasoj basti, u hladu nekoga drveta ☺️
The menu on your blog is sweet in all means 😁 So, let's keep up now and stay more consistent, though it's not always easy with all the busy schedule around. Enjoy that February sun 🌞🌞🌞
Especially when I pass away after playing the whole day in the garden, consistency is a key!
❤️
I know, sis...
in the garden, AND baking biscuits :D
Dobro jutro btw :)
Have a great day @alt3r 🤗
Dobro jutro 🌞
You know it all 😉
Big Friday hug!
A lot of good question here, I believe all can help to someone else, even people who don't have much
Many don't know the great feeling that produce help other humans, they just think governments or someone else should do the help but if everyone do something a lot things can change in the life of those that are sufering.
I loved the pictures by the way and I think it's very important to show how people is living in some countries and give some voice to those who haven't
Hola @pumarte
Me costó un poco volver a esta publicación, lo siento por responderte tan tadre.
I do agree with you, a lot, every little we have can help others, and we don't have to wait for governments and organisations to ask us to help. When yes, it is good, but also we have to have our eyes open for the people that are close to us, around us. I hope you are having a nice weekend, many greetings :)))
We have always lived, in Cuba, on the verge of thinking that tomorrow we do not know what we could get to eat or dress ourselves. But thanks I give that we always get ahead, we share what we have and in general, we survive with dignity and joy. Recycling is something natural in the Cuban, the most incredible objects pass from one generation to another or change their useful life opportunities to continue providing service again and again.
The first time I became aware of how difficult it was for many on the planet to obtain a glass of water was when I was very young, my father was in Africa (the war) and in his letters he described to me how children of my age lived. Inside the letters he sent postcards, such images were very eloquent and in me was forged a great gratitude for living protected, with running water, with education.
The deterioration of the economy and the mismanagement of power have destroyed that security, but I still believe in solidarity. Cooperation is the only thing that can save us. ....
Thank you for reminding me of this and remain vigilant 💚.
{suspiro}...
Hola @saraleo , siento mucho por lleagr tan tarde a responderte aquí... no hay excusas que puedan recuperar estos días de retraso.
The way of living in Cuba as you say... always with dignity and joy, despite the difficulties... I think just people who have been living in some challenging situations can truly understand this. And then it becomes a blessing, as one can respect more others, the things we have and share, and exercise more empathy. Not very easy for those who never faced challenges in life, of any kind. I was also lucky to live in some not-very-good social and economical environment when I was a child. We learned to live with little and respect everything we have, but I know there are still corners of this world where the situation is so bad that we can't just imagine it.
Thank you for your comment, and once again sorry for this delay 💚
In life we always feel less and less, do not know how to be grateful for what we already have, I feel that too, but instantly it dawned on me that many of our friends are very difficult to survive, the water we often throw away will be very beneficial for some people on the other side of the world,
Thank you very much for providing encouragement and motivation for us, especially for me personally, I hope our brothers will be able to enjoy the joys of this life properly
We sometimes forget that, indeed, and we expect and don't think. But I think we should remain on this alert, to recognize the need of others, if we have our hearts open. It is not that difficult, but we should not close our eyes to others. Thanks for your thoughts and sorry for a bit late response :)
That's right, we must not turn a blind eye to our brothers and sisters in need, thank you for the response
This is a photography that reminds me to never forget close the water machine and water tape after using it. There are many people who needs Water to survive. For this heart warming photography, in any circumstances they are now, kids there always drop a smile on their face which totally makes me feel so loved with them.
What a nice detail you noticed. The smile of the kids, even though they are living in some difficult circumstances... and we are still complaining about some things... we should rethink our priorities and things we complain about.
Thanks, dear @ahleap for stopping by 😇
Hi @mipiano ☺️👋
Very touching your photos of that museum. It reflects the reality in which many people live in countries that being very poor have wealth.
I have read that Africa one part is rich and the other very poor. why that inequality? There are many opinions....
In those pictures you see people that even though they live in extreme conditions they keep a nice smile on their face. They are happy with what they have.
There are many lessons I can learn from their pictures. The way to help them would be to be aware that others live in worse circumstances due to lack of water, food and clothing.
And to pray for these people 🙏.
Hi @elizpc
Yes, these photos represent the touching circumstances of the people, such hard circumstances some countries still live in. Why inequality? it is also a good topic in itself. You are the second one to notice this detail, the smile on the faces. :)) Yes, a great lesson for all of us, to become more grateful for the good things we have and stop complaining about minor issues. Thank you for highlighting it.
It’s sad how half of these pictures represent the real lives of myself and many others around here growing up. It’s a real struggle out there, but until the struggle is at your front door, you can’t even fathom how serious it actually is by just looking at the pictures of the people going through it.
The lives these pictures show are only a fraction of what they really go through. What the cameras couldn’t capture and the artists couldn’t paint. There’s a mountain full of tears deep inside from the constant lack of wants and access to basic human needs. These people would’ve been more than lucky had there been more people like you in their lives.
I know, they do represent the real life of many countries. Or just a fraction of the real depth of the struggle. Unfortunately. And it is also true that until the struggle is happening at our place we can't perceive the real weight of it. As a child, I lived in a place hit by war and later a few years of hyperinflation. Oh, and later a few months of more war period. Those were years of survival. Every good thing that came later was much more appreciated. I hope you are doing well, @depressedfuckup. No sssssscorpions lately? :P
This is really sad. Yes most of us are wasting water but didn't realize it. Some are wasting food and not even thankful for the good clothes that we have. While others are struggling to find food, water, clothes and even shelter.
This reminds me to be thankful for what I have and share some to others that need it.
Yes, you are right, seeing these photos can make us more grateful for all the things we have, and rise awareness about wasting... Just having this in mind we can start to appreciate resources such as fresh water. Thank you for your thoughts, Jenthoughts :))
In our province I can still find some fresh water flowing from the mountains but it is sad that in some populated areas there are some water shortage.
In the place where I live right now, we don't have water every Saturday and Sunday. We are in the high part of the Purok and the water seems went through to low areas and we are suffering lack of water every weekend
Hello dear friend @mipiano good day
Excellent post, it invites a deep reflection, it is true that people tend to forget this type of thing that happens in the world, and many times this type of event is necessary to remind us that we can all contribute a grain of sand to help these people, no matter how far away we are
I take this opportunity to wish you a splendid week
Hi there, how are doing? I am glad you also think this topic invites deep reflection. I saw this photography exhibition by chance while I was going to the library to give back one book. Such a nice surprise it was to see it, and later the thoughts started coming. Thanks for your comment, and have a nice day you too! Greetings
Obrigada, @ewkaw 😇
De nada :)
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This is heartbreaking to see. Made me realize to be grateful everyday especially when I feel like life is hard because the life we have may be someone else's dream life.
Exactly! Makes us think, as I titled the post :)
Being more grateful and finding ways to help others, in any way!
So much words in these pictures.
Sometimes we do not know the level of hardship some people go through. There are some kids out there right now in search of drinking water and there’s someone also out there that just left the tap flowing.
If only we could feel the pain of others.
I try my best to extend a helping hand to people that I see to be in a bad place and I know that the little I do for them will go a long way to put smiles on their faces.
So many words and stories in these pictures, indeed. We can see the work, the struggle, the smiles, the fruits of the help...
Unfortunately. Those from the second example need to open their eyes.
That is very nice of you, to try to help those in need, we should all practise that more often. Thank you for your thought @nhaji01
Y lo más tremendo que teniendo literalmente todo aún nos quejamos , pero cierto Dios nos creo a su semejanza por lo que todo lo que acontece a nuestro alrededor debe movernos a misericordia y dar algo de lo que ya Dios nos ha dado y compartir con otros sabemos que la solución no es solo de unos pocos es de muchos, y aún así deseamos ver crecer y desarrollarse nuestros hijos y estos también son hijos de Dios y se merecen un futuro mejor y sin mezquindad, llévate un aplauso @mipiano de mi parte y si se que estás conmovida y esa situación la vemos todos los días solo que nos hacemos los desentendidos bueno a roguemos la esperanza de una solución para estos pequeños que merecen un poco de felicidad
Tienes razón @mirbyst, tantas cosas por lo que nos quejamos, verdad? Más que nunca, necesitamos solución para estas circumsatancias, y esperanza para el futuro de todos los niños de este mundo. Que se encuntre una soulción, ya. Si ponemos juntos las manos, quizás podemos. Grcias por tu comentario, un saludo :))
Cuídate y a seguir mirando a los demás como seres humanos y no como desechos que muchos lo ven porque nunca los miran
Thank you a lot @mipiano for sharing this meaningful and instructive photographic exhibition for people in the western world and those in general who have enough - or more than enough - to live on !
I think that, above all, global institutions should stop playing a double game by maintaining poverty and still protecting the former (?) colonialists. I seem to remember reading several times that world hunger could be solved with 40 or 50 billion per year... To give an order of scale, Blackrock makes 300 billion a day. But the idea is not of course to make people dependent on aid, but rather to let them choose their future and above all that this be done with a view to their independence !
It took me a while to visit, since you had posted, I had opened it as a tab ^^ !
Take care and thanks you again 😘
I really admire people who go out of their ways to make living more comfortable for the less privileged.
Most people have to join humanitarian clubs while the others can do it on their own, either way, a life is being saved.✨
There are still good people in this world. I can't imagine a world with people who are blind to the needs of others. Thank you for your comment and sorry for the delay in the response. I hope you are doing well and having a nice weekend. Greetings
It's totally fine ✨ I'm glad I still got a response.
Yes I am. Are you?
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Every word you've mentioned here hits my heart. Indeed, sometimes we tend to forget that there is someone who suffers more than us. This article of yours awakened my inner core then. Thank you for sharing this one. Take care and God bless.
Thank you for your thoughts @amoreyl
Yes, there are always those who are more unprivileged than us, and we should not close our hearts to them. I am glad this post could touch people... greetings :)
Indeed, we should have our helping hands towards them. You are welcome. Take care and God bless.
I feel so bad sometimes seeing People's on the street roaming around and begging from people, at times i wonder what life is this, why wouldn't there be balance in things, I understand if people were equal how would this life becomes, so giving out things we know can help another man, be it our neighbors or relative is good, I think the Best way to better the life's of others is to continue helping when we know this peoples need our help.
And to recommend them for employment if that's within ur reach in any company we think they might functions very well. Thanks for sharing this post @mipiano .