Heal.

I’ve not been feeling well last week, still a little weak… in a strange way, it is good to slow down, sleep, rest and listen. To realign. To remember the things that matter, beyond the busyness of life…

I recall this movie I watched – “Born into Brothels” where a documentary was filmed about children born into Asia’s largest red light district- in Calcutta. I remember the lady who set up “Kids with Cameras” , where she taught the children photography and turn that into a fund raising method to raise funds for their education. Very touching.

“For me personally, photography is a means of transformation.”

– Zana Briski

One day, I hope to take some digital cameras + wireless photo printers to East Timor… I remember the faces of the people that I took… and showing them how they looked in the camera… and telling them how beautiful they are…

Warmth.

Talk about helping the homeless. Providing warmth in a practical way.

Snurk (Dutch bedding designers) recently partnered with foundation for homeless youth SZN to create a line of Le Clochard sheets and pillows that look like cardboard. They say that a portion of the proceeds go directly to SZN, who will use the money to build housing (as reported by Lost @ E Minor). Nice Touch.

Putting things in Perspective

“In London, Washington and Paris, people talk of bonuses or no bonuses. In parts of Africa, South Asia and Latin America, the struggle is for food or no food.” – World Bank Chief Robert Zoellick

Give.

With Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter these few days, feel a deep sense of gratitude. In the midst of the reflection, one word stands out.

‘Give’.

Our lifes. Not just to keep. But Give.

Am reminded of one my favourite Social Campaigns – Join Red.

Love it also because it is relevant to our lives. Through fashion, music, utilities… which we all consumer… through that we can make that extra bit of difference. I want to.

Am looking forward to an upcoming trip to an orphanage overseas… and also when my current ipod nano reaches its end, I’ll get the (RED) one

Counter Intuitive Giving

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” – Mother Teresa

Been wanting to make a micro loan for a LONG LONG LONG time… whoopee! Finally went to Kiva, clicked and made microloans to women in Vietnam and Cambodia! Plus bought a Kiva gift certificate as a belated Christmas present for a good o’ pal (ok… I know that’s quite a lag but I’ve been busy…)

Giving is strange. It just makes the heart happy… and enlarges it. Puts things in perspective too. Makes letting go easier… Pretty counter-intuitive in times like these…

On a side note, think it’s pretty cool they have a mechanism that asks if you would like to update your facebook activity stating who you are supporting. Smart way of spreading the word. Tapping on personal networks.