Are Good Intentions Enough?

I'll be the first to admit, when I hear about some of the health and economic problems in developing countries - I want to jump on a plane and just "do something" to help.  And there is nothing wrong with that desire - it's a good thing to feel burdened for those who are suffering.  However, are good intentions always enough? 

I highly recommend reading this article -especially if you are considering doing the same (jumping on a plane to "do something").  It's a response to an article by Nick Kristof of the NY Times (who I actually really admire for the coverage he's given to humanitarian issues around the world.  Noone else has done as much as he has to bring these issues to light.)  However, the response article makes a good point - the "do-it-yourself" approach to these issues that Kristof highlights is not always the best response.  Here's the Kristof article if you haven't read it:  Please note - I'm not saying it's bad to try to help without any experience - but you do need to be careful and perhaps look for ways to empower the work a local community is already doing instead of imposing on them. 

Here's a great example of "doing something" without imposing: The individual who I highly admire from Kristof's article, Lisa Shannon, I met when I worked on Congo issues in DC several years ago.  She has made it her life's work to raise awareness, fundraise, and advocate for women in the D.R. Congo.  She has not tried to "create" any organization that starts projects or "do-it herself".  Instead, she uses her strengths to support an existing organization, Women for Women International, that works at the community level in the D.R. Congo.  This is a great example of how any person can make a huge difference by working to support what is already going on. 

When I was graduating from college, I really wanted to join the Peace Corps.  I wanted to DO SOMETHING to help a community in a developing country.  But I also realized I knew nothing about international development - so what could I possibly have to offer as a naive, 21-yr old American whose only trip outside the country had ever been to Europe.  So instead I chose to go to graduate school to study International Economic Development first.  To learn the tools of how to understand other cultures, how to work with communities at a grassroots level, how to include beneficiaries in the planning process to learn what THEY want for their community, and how to not impose my ideas of "good development" on a community.  I am so grateful that I made this decision - because when I finally had an opportunity to work with a local organization in India, I was much more prepared.  My eyes were opened that my good intentions are not enough - although they ARE my daily motivation!   

End Hate Crimes Against the Homeless

The National Coalition for the Homeless, in its August 2010 report on Hate Crimes Against the Homeless, declared: “Violent, often fatal, attacks on homeless Americans now outnumber all other categories of hate crimes combined." Last year alone there were 43 murders, and over the past decade there have been 1,100 documented attacks including 300 homicides. These numbers are likely extremely low due to under-reporting. Attacks have included such things as dousing the homeless with gasoline and setting on fire, to beating with baseball bats.

It is important that "homelessness" is added to federal Hate Crimes Legislation. Only a handful of states now include homelessness in their state legislation, but the homeless need to be protected on a national level as well. We must stand up for society's most vulnerable victims.

I've always believed that each of us has the power to change lives and impact the world for the better.  While interning on Capitol Hill in college - I learned how important contituents letters and phone calls were to let my congressman know the issues that were important to his community.  Please look at this petition and sign it - it asks our elected officials to include homelessness as a protected group within Hate Crimes Legislation. 
 
Petition is here: http://homelessness.change.org/petitions/view/end_hate_crimes_against_the_homeless

Imagine No More Malaria

Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria. Malaria kills almost one million people each year - and almost a billion people are affected around the world.  Those stats alone are horrific - but especially when realizing malaria is PREVENTABLE!  Frankly it pisses me off and makes me so incredibly sad. While living in Zambia, I can't even count the number of families I visited that said malaria was their biggest health problem.  I was lucky - I not only had access to anti-malarial medication, but I also knew to sleep under a bednet.  So I was doubly protected.  Others were not.  And most people had friends or family who had died.  Its a tragic story - but one that can be changed. 

Spread by the bite of affected mosquitos that bite only at night, sleeping under an insecticide-treated bednet can reduce the number of deaths dramatically.  Many people living in poverty in Africa and Asia aren't informed about this prevention or can't even afford the $10 to purchase a bednet for each family member.

Today is World Malaria Day - a day set aside each year to educate others about this global issue and advocate for people to help us end this preventable disease.  By donating $10 - less then we all spend going out to eat every week, a life can be saved.  As little as $10 buys a bednet for one person.  I'm so inspired by so many people who are fighting to end this terrible disease.  Like the United Methodist Church (which I am a member of).  The church my dad pastors, Bel Air United Methodist CHurch, and thousands others are uniting to raise $75 million dollars in their "Imagine no more Malaria" initiative.  http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2550337/k.DE5F/Malaria_Initiatives_of_The_United_Methodist_Church.htm
This is the program I'll be supporting - but there are so many out there making a difference in the lives of families in Africa and Asia. There are many to choose from!

This is something that is so close to my heart.  I've seen lives lost, and it breaks my heart.  Please think about donating as little as $10. 

My Refugee Friends

Even after I started working for a local non-profit in Denver– my heart for international development did not go away, and I still wanted to be involved somehow. I definitely missed the whole cross-cultural element of my previous job. When I learned of an opportunity to be a mentor for a refugee family that was being resettled in Denver I was so excited!


Refugees are people who have been forced to flee their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution, due to race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group. Often times they are fleeing war and violence – events that are traumatizing. The family that my mentor team gets to be friends with is from Burma – a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is a country I’ve always been fascinated with – and closely followed what’s going on with the brutal dictatorship there.

Our family – the “Reh’s”- were living in a refugee camp in Thailand until they were officially resettled in the United States in November by Lutheran Family Services (LFS). Talk about culture shock – can you imagine growing up in a refugee camp in very primitive conditions and then in a matter of days being put on an airplane and being moved to the cold, wintery weather of Denver? Never having used a stove or maybe even had running water?? I wish I could know what was going through their minds as we met them at the airport. The three kids were of course smiling and happy, but their parents looked tired and weary. They didn’t know a word of English – and probably wondered why there was a welcoming crew at the airport for them! We drove them to their apartment that we had set up, along with their case manager (who speaks Burmese fluently), and they started on their new journey as U.S. Residents.

It’s not easy being a refugee in the United States. There are a lot of overwhelming experiences all at once! Thankfully the case managers at LFS help the family with all the logistical/financial arrangements. The mentor team which I’m a part of, is tasked with “cultural orientation” and basically just being their friend. The Reh family has experienced grocery shopping, pizza, baking cookies, English lessons, and just “hanging out” with us. It’s not easy – even 4.5 months in they have limited English skills – but it’s been exciting seeing the kids talk more and more each week. And their smiles and laughs at us crazy Americans makes it all worthwhile. Next week the kids will get to experience their first MLB baseball game – pictures to come!

I'm Back!

Three years since you last heard from me - and so much has happened! I moved from the East Coast to Colorado - the land of skiing, blue skies, and Blue Moon. It's been the best decision I've ever made- made some of the greatest friends and am enjoying the lifestyle out here.

Still passionate about the same things - social justice, helping the poor and vulnerable, fighting human trafficking. Working for a local organization that serves the homeless has really given me an insight into poverty in the US. My heart is still overseas - but I love being able to serve so close to home and know I'm making a difference in my community.

Will start posting more about the things I'm passionate about.