^ Imagine living and playing here as an 8-year-old with little possibility of a better future. More in-depth videos (in 5 parts) about the "city of garbage", reported by a young Scandinavian man visiting Manila. Countries in Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, boast some of the world's very best health care systems (arguably better than the U.S.) and generally excellent quality of life for all its citizens.
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Postscript:
The video above was presented by United Methodist Communications. I understand that there are many Christian organizations helping impoverished people in third world countries around the globe and I salute their noble efforts. However, I vehemently oppose some of them in their influencing governments (including the U.S. government under the Bush administration) to stop planned parenthood programs. This is because such programs advocate abortion, contraception, condom use, and education on safe sex practices, which many Christians oppose, especially the Vatican.
This is moronic, I say, and is completely at odds with the ugly reality these poor people deal with day to day. As a result of such Christian influences families keep growing under festering circumstances, thus more children are born into poverty and disease. People who are well educated about safe sex, contraception, and the burden of familial responsibilities while in poverty are more likely to think twice before having another child.
The video above was presented by United Methodist Communications. I understand that there are many Christian organizations helping impoverished people in third world countries around the globe and I salute their noble efforts. However, I vehemently oppose some of them in their influencing governments (including the U.S. government under the Bush administration) to stop planned parenthood programs. This is because such programs advocate abortion, contraception, condom use, and education on safe sex practices, which many Christians oppose, especially the Vatican.
This is moronic, I say, and is completely at odds with the ugly reality these poor people deal with day to day. As a result of such Christian influences families keep growing under festering circumstances, thus more children are born into poverty and disease. People who are well educated about safe sex, contraception, and the burden of familial responsibilities while in poverty are more likely to think twice before having another child.
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2 comments:
A friend replied to me by email about this blog. I decided instead to reply to him as a comment here:
"Can't get those poor people in all that garbage out of my mind. I feel so helpless. Frustrating isn't it? How long has it been like that?"
Decades, of course. Such a horrendous humanitarian situation doesn't begin overnight, you know. And it doesn't surprise me that my original country, with its pathetic corrupt and disorganized government, has birthed this, people literally living off the crap produced by other people.
Good thing my dad was intelligent, ambitious, determined, and disciplined enough to get out of this potential trap. He came from the jungle province and earned a degree in mechanical engineering at Feati University in Manila. That was fruitful for us 9 kids, he was able to give us a good home and food on the table.
If the government really did give a passionate damn about all it those scavengers would've been saved years ago. But even the addresses local government did only act as salves, it does not solve the actual problem. These people need jobs and a better chance of raising their families in a healthy productive way.
I would never, EVER want to have kids in that situation.
Unfortunately the few who do care and try to do something are in lower level positions and they can only do so much. Sally Struthers can herself only give the man a fish for the day, she can't make the government teach him to fish so he can feed his kids for a lifetime.
My friend, you are so brave to advocate for assistance and training and opportunity for the poor in Phillipines and around the world. I think if power were applied to empower people to live new dreams rather than control their fears we'd all be much better off. I don't see any reason why some Americans couldn't travel around the world for a few years each and educate, organize, and empower indiginous people and local concerned citizens to improve the lives of countless people around the globe so parents everywhere may raise their children in hope. I suspect that if parents have hope and sustenance they won't procreate so rapidly as we observe in desperate situations. I notice that sudden changes of temperature or water availablity immediately spur plants to produce more seed. I think immediate threat to survival triggers an instinct that we will never understand coming from our most comfortable society. I live a simple life so that I can channel prayer and resources to those who are less fortunate. I think each of us can make a significant contribution to someone in need. I look forward to the day when governments stop acting as agents of a privildeged few, and promote universal good and foster development that does not segregate nor divide peoples, but draws us together to celebrate our diveristy and individual potential.
Thanks for this evocative blog. Hope you're well.
Peace and Good, Bill
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