While going through my file, I found this reflection from Ms. Claudia Masur, Swiss national, who spent two with BLDF as part of a field team. Let me share with you this piece written 24 June 2011.
Reflection of two
weeks with BLDF
First
I want to thank Sir Nes and his team that I could join you for these two weeks.
Almost six month ago I came to Asia for the first time. I am fascinated of the
beauty of these countries. The nature,
cultures and the people. But it’s not only that. In the time of traveling I was
also faced with poverty. It is very hard for me to see how many families don’t
even have enough money to satisfy their hunger. As a tourist it’s easy to close
the eyes and turn back home only with the memory of a very beautiful country.
On my travel I decided to see more then this. That was my way to BLDF.
It
was very interesting how you work and what the problems are here and to see how
much time and activity that it’s needed to reduce poverty. This situation is
hard to compare with the one in Switzerland.
Every child there grows up with enough food, proper drink water that comes from
the tab and the possibility to go to school. Some have to work more for it,
some less, but it’s there own decision and it’s not just a destiny. Of course
we also have problems like crime, unemployment and households that are below
the income threshold. Crime is a problem in all over the world and can’t be
reduced by money I think, but in case of the others our state could help if the
people would ask for. Some people don’t and decide to live on the streets and
to beg. Instead of giving them money from time to time I will donate it now to
countries that really need that money. And I will say to them: “Be happy! You have
the possibility to ask the state for money!”
In
the workshops in Talibon, Pilar, Jagna, Tubigon I recognized that one of
the main problem is the disposal of
garbage and water. To be honest I was never confronted with a problem like this
before. Now I’m interested in how it works in Switzerland and I will try to
collect some ideas to propose you.
Even
with all this problems it was very nice to see the way you live compare to
Swiss people. Almost everybody has a smile on the face, knows how to joke and
not to be serious all the time. My question is what really makes the people
happy. Is it Christianity and love? In this part we could definitely learn from
you and reduce our high rate of suicide. When I go back to my county next week
I will be very thankful for things that I took for granted before. I will
recommend to every traveler to do some volunteer work. It is one of the best
ways to find out more about a country and how to help a country. It’s even
important to see this side of the places we are able to visit in case of only
go to tourist’s places and enjoy traveling.
The
weeks with BLDF were very impressive for me. I hope I was assistance with the
preparation for the workshops. Thanks for kindness Sir Nes, Charisse and
Kristine.
Sincerely
yours,
Claudia
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