Awareness – Page 22

Learning the Lesson and Providing Real Help: Indonesia

Posted on September 30, 2018September 30, 2019 by Florence

In the past days, the news has been full of accounts about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on 28 September. A major disaster with a confirmed death toll of many hundreds and rising daily, with some people saying it may well reach thousands. Help will be needed for people to start to rebuild their lives. And many children will likely be separated from their parents and other relatives, either permanently or temporarily.

This brings back to mind the situation in Indonesia when a massive tsunami struck in December 2004. And it rings major warning bells: what happened in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami must not be repeated this time, for the sake of the children.

The Danger of Voluntourism

Posted on September 24, 2018September 30, 2019 by Florence

It seems like such a good idea, like such a kind and generous thing to do, to go to a different country to spend time in an ‘orphanage’ giving your time and love to underprivileged children. It is almost always done with the best intentions and from a real desire to make a difference, to improve these children’s lives.

When you arrive, it really looks like you were the person they were waiting for all this time. A swarm of children runs to you, surrounds you, tries to hug you, or sit on your lap. The second-hand clothes that you brought look better than what the children are wearing. The extra food and treats you buy are accepted as manna from heaven. And when you leave there are many tears, on both sides. As you leave, while you are sad to leave the children behind, you are comforted by the thought that you clearly did make a real, positive, difference in these children’s lives. Unfortunately, all is not what it seems.

What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Helping an Orphanage?

Posted on September 18, 2018November 30, 2018 by Florence

Some excerpts from the first chapter of ‘How to Help, not Harm: What Living in Orphanages Does to Children and How You Can Help’, written by me:

“Most of us very much want to do something to help the weakest among us, those who are most vulnerable. We feel a moral obligation to help improve the lives of those who are unable to help themselves. And we feel a sense of satisfaction and contentment when we think that a small sacrifice on our part will improve the quality of life of those less fortunate. From ancient times, the moral obligation and the command to take care of widows and orphans has been heard across different cultures and different religions.