When I wrote about women being forced to give birth at home because they didn't have a lock on their front door, so many of you offered to send locks. The problem is not of locks. If they had locks, they would not have doors to put them on. And if they had doors, they would not have walls to hook those to. The problem is Poverty. And the solution is as simple as alleviating Poverty. Sending locks may not be a solution, but the offer to send locks means all of you care enough to make a tangible difference in whichever way you can. Enough such people can, I believe, make a difference.
But while we look for solutions to Poverty, let us not forget the immediate suffering of people hit by man-made or natural disasters. People affected by political wars. People who are victims of terrorism. People in places hit by earthquakes, cyclones and volcanoes.
Margot Kinberg is putting together an effort called "Do the Write Thing" to help the victims of the recent earthquake that devastated huge parts of New Zealand. She putting together "book packages" of original works autographed by their authors, which would be raffle prizes for people donating to the New Zealand Red Cross. If you are an author who would like to donate a book, could you get in touch with MargotKinberg (at) gmail (dot) com. If you would like to enter your name in the raffle by making a donation to the New Zealand Red Cross, stay tuned to "
Do the Write Thing". I know we are all as generous as we can afford to be- now is the time to show it.
Thank you!
11 comments:
Rayna - Thank you very, very much for posting on your blog about Do The Write Thing. It means a lot to me that you're helping to spread the word.
You are so right that when enough people care, and want to make a real difference, we can make a change. I look forward to your letting all of us know what we can do to help those women you wrote of, too. Perhaps it can't be locks, but do keep us posted if there is something...
The problem of poverty seems completely overwhelming...like I guess every huge problem seems. But you're so right--approaching it in small steps is the best way to handle it...because it does make a difference.
It's a wonderful idea!
If I had a published book, I would definitely donated.
In the mean time, I'll head over there.
:-)
Good call! There's a lot of families affected by that earthquake.
Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing, Rayna.
What a wonderful idea!
Great idea, I've just put it on my FB page. (thanks for including the link) It's so sad that people who were already struggling can be so quickly thrust into not coping and living on the edge.
Margot - you're brilliant!!! Love it. Thanks for spreading the word, Rayna :)
@ Margot - what you are doing is truely awesome. Thank YOU!
And yes, I do believe that if there are enough people who care, and a couple of people who look for real solutions, most things are possible.
@ Elizabeth - reading this fantastic book "White Man's Burden", which is all about how it is small, individual solutions that are the answer, not giant plans.
@ Misha - thank you so much.
@ Alex - Margot's putting together somethign really great, isn't she?
@ Barbara - it is great, isn't it? Would you help spread the word?
@ Fiona - would you help spread the word?
@ sue - it is really sad, isn't it?
@ Jemi - it is a fantastic idea, isn't it? Please help spread the word.
I agree.
It's not about the locks, it's about systems of oppression that keep people in abject poverty. Financial aid, funding and resources are indeed helpful when it comes to fighting poverty, but unless there is systemic social change happening alongside of those resources, the cycle of poverty will never be broken. - G
@ Georgina - so true. There has to be a systemic change, specially in attitudes, or there can be no change.
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