Looking at images of the 2 million people scurrying for their lives as hurricane Gustav approaches is not a pretty sight. They have been urged to leave their material belongings and just take whatever is necessary for survival. We in singapore, are safe from these natural disasters, and have an adbundance of tangible or material goods throughout of entire lifetime. We should however never take this sense of security for granted. Instead, we should also move out of our comfort zone voluntarily just as these people have been contrived to, and lend a helping hand wherever it may be needed. Be it donating clothes, food or its monetary equivalents, there needs to be a requisitely swift response to help our brothers and sisters in need.
A better world can only be reached through reaching out.
Source: Business Times, 1st September 2008
13 comments:
i agree that such disasters always urge people to help others in need. but what i feel is lacking is the courtesy and kindness in everyday life. singaporeans should learn to help each other instead of fighting for the supremacy of the MRT/bus seat. if we cant even achieve small things like these, what more "saving the world"
jerms
even if people do feel the urge to help others in need, they tend not to act upon it. fundamentally, humans are selfish and act for their own self-interest. i'm not saying that all humans are selfish, but most of them are. unless in helping, they get some kind of reward or benefit, which goes to show how self-serving humans are. unfortuantely but true, that is how the world runs now.
i think most people say more than they actually do. so i hope people change and actually do lend a helping hand this time around.
I think most Singaporeans take for granted the blessings we have, myself included. One of the more important aspects is that we are not threatened by the mayhem that typhoons or hurricanes so often bring. We hardly put ourselves in people’s positions and imagine the unfortunate events that surround their lives, in other words, people are naturally oblivious to things that do not affect them. Most Singaporeans are so caught up with education, social lifestyles, clubbing and fashion that we do not see the urgency behind such disasters. How often do we hear young people sourcing for ways to needy, let alone reaching out to less fortunate countries? I think the only way that we will be able to truly empathize with our less auspicious brothers and sisters is to experience a disaster or a setback at some point. With that said, I do not wish it to happen, seriously. (I seek to lay hands on all the wood nature has spawned ).
indeed, Singapore has become such a safe haven such that people are becoming complacent. the young ones of today's society scurry around, with only their ipods and PSPs in mind. little will we stop to look at the more unfortunate around us and seek to reach out a helping hand.
how many more tragedies and disasters must happen before people realize the importance humanity, that to care for the people around us before its too late. may hurricane gustav be the last of it...
i have to admit, i grew up an ignorant child. and then on the day when the worst tsunami hit Asia on Boxing Day in 2004, the whole world woke up.
and i grew up. i volunteered in Sri Lanka and did all i could to minimize their pain and burden.
i guess most Singaporeans contribute by monetary means but it's good to know that there are still groups of humanitarians who actually volunteer their time and effort to provide emotional and mental support to the needy
It is easy to generalise Singaporeans as ignorant, however, I feel that Sinaporeans do lend a helping hand when we can. It is probably easy for us to say that we must help, but what about issues of proximity? We love to help but can most of us afford to go all the way to other parts of the world to help? Who's going to do your work if u go there? And how can you help and not make matters worse? Sometimes it is also a matter of awareness. Singaporeans are busy with their lives and some of us might not realise the crisis going on at other parts of the world. It is indeed possible that Singaporeans are safe from natural disaster and so do not see the seriousness in such matters sometimes. But Singaporeans are humans too, and we are emotional beings. I feel sad when Singaporeans criticise their own kind. If you can think of helping these victims, what makes you think the rest of the Singaporeans won't? Sometimes we see some black sheeps and we use them as exemplars to generalise the whole herd. I feel that in order for humanity to survive, individuals must be able to take care of themselves first. Afterwhich, extend your help to others. It seems selfish, but is the situation going to be better if one helps without the ability or skills to? We cannot always urge others to help without considerating their own needs first. Best way is to get Singaporeans to be aware of this situation first, then see how they can help. I'm sure Singaporeans will help if they can. No point criticising our own people. Too little aid or not, it is not for us observers to decide. Resources are limited everywhere. Of course we hope for the ideal situation, but we must be realistic. Many disasters have occurred before and acts of altruism and humanitarian aid were always present. I dont think Hurricane Gustav will make a difference.
To plykemail,
I understand your point of view that you should help yourself before helping others. And I am definitely not saying that every Singaporean MUST voluteer on overseas mission trips to deem themselves to be charitable or kind.
If you must know, a volunteer will be put through many weeks and sometimes months of training before actually venturing out to lend a hand to others. We will have to be emotionally and psychologically prepared to face the challenges while on a mission trip. Also, we had to be adequately knowledgable on the cultural and political issues of the host country to avoid social awkwardness. Sometimes, we go as far as learning their basic language for better communication with their people. So I can safely say that a volunteer will beat all odds if he sets his heart on it.
Besides, Singaporeans can also volunteer for local organisations. I myself, despite having a busy schedule, am a volunteer at Beyond Social Service. At least twice a year, I volunteer to be a camp ranger for Primary 5 school kids (during their school holidays).
In general, there are a lot of ways in which people can contribute back to the community. Hence, I do not agree with your excuse for Singaporeans, or anyone in this universe, who are busy with their careers. Like what jerms said, it starts with the basic courtesy and kindness in a day to day basis.
with regards to plyk's comments, i think we are having a general discussion about people as a whole and not about Singaporeans in particular. hence, there is no apparent need to get defensive at all.
irregardless of that, to say that people who are too caught up in their own lives to take notice of catastrophic events like these are not ignorant is simply misguided. ignorance is defined as being unaware and uninformed.
i also notice the issue of willingness to help versus the propriety of use of such goodwill. however, i strongly believe that if people are willing to step up to the plate and lend some help, there will be an automatic "matching" process to platforms or organizations that will most efficiently utilize the time/materials/money that has been donated. such is the beauty of "markets".
with all that said, i do acknowledge the point made by plyk that an increasing number of singaporeans are lending a helping hand and that it is very much commendable!
i totally agree with jerms, but we can also do a small part to help the world. when the earthquake hit sichuan, i'm sure a lot of people donated their money that they were otherwise saving or even just a few dollars, its true, every little bit counts!
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