**update: Yeah!! We did it! Thank you for helping our Burundian sisters. What a sweet, sweet day this is!**
Okay, so if I were to start an NGO (which I am NOT, but if I were) I'd call it Each One Helps One. Because that's really what it comes down to. If each of us helped just one other person, so many issues could be wiped out. No, not curing cancer, or world peace. But there are so many things that could be accomplished.
For argument's sake, let's say that each month had a different focus. And everyone focused their energies on the same issue. And it got looked after. And then the next month, focus shifted on a different issue. So the folks on the ground could spend their time and resources on the big problems that are difficult to solve and need the investment of lots of time and lots of love. We could free them up to do just that.
One very simple issue with huge implications that's been floating around twitter has been the matter of how complicated life is if you don't have identification. Most of us (me included) take having ID totally for granted. Jordon Cooper (@JordonCooper) has been talking about the implications of this for the homeless and marginalized he works with in downtown Saskatoon. Idelette McVicker (@idelette) has been tweeting about a fabulous campaign at SheLoves Magazine to get identification for women in Burundi.
Guess how much it costs for ID in Burundi? $12. Yes. That's it. Right now they're focussed on the village of Bubanza, and are working on getting the funds together to make sure that every woman there has identification, and all of the social standing that comes with that.
I'm NOT starting an NGO, but if I was, this is the first place I'd focus attention: gaining identification for everyone who needs it. So what do you say? $12. Head over here to leave a donation. If you're Canadian, you'll even get a tax receipt. If you're not Canadian, I hope the warm fuzzy feeling is enough to make you click through.
Okay, so if I were to start an NGO (which I am NOT, but if I were) I'd call it Each One Helps One. Because that's really what it comes down to. If each of us helped just one other person, so many issues could be wiped out. No, not curing cancer, or world peace. But there are so many things that could be accomplished.
For argument's sake, let's say that each month had a different focus. And everyone focused their energies on the same issue. And it got looked after. And then the next month, focus shifted on a different issue. So the folks on the ground could spend their time and resources on the big problems that are difficult to solve and need the investment of lots of time and lots of love. We could free them up to do just that.
One very simple issue with huge implications that's been floating around twitter has been the matter of how complicated life is if you don't have identification. Most of us (me included) take having ID totally for granted. Jordon Cooper (@JordonCooper) has been talking about the implications of this for the homeless and marginalized he works with in downtown Saskatoon. Idelette McVicker (@idelette) has been tweeting about a fabulous campaign at SheLoves Magazine to get identification for women in Burundi.
“As far as the world was concerned, they did not exist. With no official record of their existence they could claim no rights, no representation, no residence or real home. For all intents and purposes they were invisible … exiles in their own land living in the shadows of Burundian society.” -Kelley Johnson
Guess how much it costs for ID in Burundi? $12. Yes. That's it. Right now they're focussed on the village of Bubanza, and are working on getting the funds together to make sure that every woman there has identification, and all of the social standing that comes with that.
I'm NOT starting an NGO, but if I was, this is the first place I'd focus attention: gaining identification for everyone who needs it. So what do you say? $12. Head over here to leave a donation. If you're Canadian, you'll even get a tax receipt. If you're not Canadian, I hope the warm fuzzy feeling is enough to make you click through.
4 comments:
Thanks Erin for bringing this project to our attention. I was born in a country where we were not recognized even though we had proper identification. It's incredibly uplifting and empowering when someone finally sees you as a person.
Thank you for helping to spread the word, Sabrina. I really appreciate it.
I would love to hear this part of your story someday (either in print, or face to face...).
thank you erin, that is brilliant - as you know we are on a border here, dividing our two cities, and for their whole lives people living on the margins have crossed that bridge like any other. 2 years ago they tightened the borders and now many are separated from their loved ones, the laundromat, inexpensive dairy products, etc. because they can't afford the $45 to get their nexxus cards... on that small level it's all of a sudden very manageable, but when you're trying to help more than one it becomes overwhelming... i may even borrow your name...
Hey, Heidi. It is an overwhelming issue. I don't want to give the impression that it's not. But unlike so many other things, it can be addressed. And you've given a great, local example. An investment of $45 means a huge return in someone's life.
Run with whatever resonates with you, friend!
Post a Comment