You don't have to be helpless about it. You can do something.
Here in the Philippines, you can.
Call +632 3727777
or log on to www.worldvision.org.ph
Friday, June 29, 2007
Tick Tock...every second counts
Ever felt like we're alone in this battle, that we're only a renegade troupe fighting the war against poverty? Ever felt that the western world is so unconcerned about our issues and that they're indifferent about it? Think again.
The ONE CAMPAIGN proves otherwise.
This is an interesting video on how the west is reacting, and how they are reacting to their own people's reactions. I'm surprised at my own reaction towards this one. At first, I'm quite apprehensive when westerners talk about issues in developing countries. Do they really know what they're talking about? Are they really aware? Are they sincere about it? Or are they just following the "charitable" celebrity bandwagon? But then I find out, to my own pleasant surprise, that, yes, there are people who are indeed sincere and passionate about this fight. It's just the feeling of helplessness being on the other side of the world, that feeling that you're too distant to do anything about it. But the truth is...you CAN do something about it.
What really stuck in my head is that line "We're not asking for your money..." followed by another slide..."Actually, we do need your money. We're just tired of asking you for it."
I feel the same. Being part of a fundraising group is really tiring and can be exasperating. Sometimes you get so tired of asking people to donate funds or soliciting sponsorship. I'm simply tired of having to ask people to help. Shouldn't they initiate it themselves? And what hurts more is that it's even harder to ask for support from your own circle of friends, as if you're such a leech draining them of money.
I get mixed reactions whenever I solicit support. There are the common apprehensive responses, "You're only after my money!" kind of defensive reaction. And yet what is really surprising is that those whom you least expect to give are those that give...generously. One perfect example. A middle-aged couple walks toward our booth because their 8-yr old grandson coaxes them to the bright-orange balloons. The tall, grey-haired man in a neatly pressed business suit, and the lady is wearing a simple shift dress, with a shoulder bag delicately hanging from her arm. Perfect candidate as child sponsors. We instantly give them a brochure and tell them about Child Sponsorship. You could feel the "walls" come up the instant a brochure is flashed in front of them. The man hands the brochure to his wife, and then shoots 100 questions, obviously inquisitive on whether our group is legit. After 10 minutes of conversing with the couple, they tell us, "You have a very nice organization," and then leaves the booth.
A few minutes later, another man, about 39 years old, wearing jeans, shabby shirt, and "Spartan" slippers approaches one of our staff and tells us he wants to sponsor a child. The man had already been standing at our booth for 5 minutes, and nobody noticed him pick up a brochure and read through it. Our staff then asks him to be seated and hands him a pen for the sign-up form. He then tells us that he's from Aklan, just like the child featured in our brochure. And without further inquiries, he hands us some crumpled up bills, P450 in all, as his first pledge. He then stands up and leaves, and our staff thanks him.
30 minutes later this same man returns, this time with another man in a buisness suit. It turns out that this other guy was his employer, he was working as a driver for the latter. The "shabby" guy did all the talking while his employer quietly nods on. The employer then raises a few questions to us, inquiring about a few technical details on payment modes. Then brings out his credit card and fills up the form to sponsor a child. We thank them both and watch as the two men leave, with the "shabby" guy still talking about his experiences in Aklan.
Kinda makes you think.
The ONE CAMPAIGN proves otherwise.
This is an interesting video on how the west is reacting, and how they are reacting to their own people's reactions. I'm surprised at my own reaction towards this one. At first, I'm quite apprehensive when westerners talk about issues in developing countries. Do they really know what they're talking about? Are they really aware? Are they sincere about it? Or are they just following the "charitable" celebrity bandwagon? But then I find out, to my own pleasant surprise, that, yes, there are people who are indeed sincere and passionate about this fight. It's just the feeling of helplessness being on the other side of the world, that feeling that you're too distant to do anything about it. But the truth is...you CAN do something about it.
What really stuck in my head is that line "We're not asking for your money..." followed by another slide..."Actually, we do need your money. We're just tired of asking you for it."
I feel the same. Being part of a fundraising group is really tiring and can be exasperating. Sometimes you get so tired of asking people to donate funds or soliciting sponsorship. I'm simply tired of having to ask people to help. Shouldn't they initiate it themselves? And what hurts more is that it's even harder to ask for support from your own circle of friends, as if you're such a leech draining them of money.
I get mixed reactions whenever I solicit support. There are the common apprehensive responses, "You're only after my money!" kind of defensive reaction. And yet what is really surprising is that those whom you least expect to give are those that give...generously. One perfect example. A middle-aged couple walks toward our booth because their 8-yr old grandson coaxes them to the bright-orange balloons. The tall, grey-haired man in a neatly pressed business suit, and the lady is wearing a simple shift dress, with a shoulder bag delicately hanging from her arm. Perfect candidate as child sponsors. We instantly give them a brochure and tell them about Child Sponsorship. You could feel the "walls" come up the instant a brochure is flashed in front of them. The man hands the brochure to his wife, and then shoots 100 questions, obviously inquisitive on whether our group is legit. After 10 minutes of conversing with the couple, they tell us, "You have a very nice organization," and then leaves the booth.
A few minutes later, another man, about 39 years old, wearing jeans, shabby shirt, and "Spartan" slippers approaches one of our staff and tells us he wants to sponsor a child. The man had already been standing at our booth for 5 minutes, and nobody noticed him pick up a brochure and read through it. Our staff then asks him to be seated and hands him a pen for the sign-up form. He then tells us that he's from Aklan, just like the child featured in our brochure. And without further inquiries, he hands us some crumpled up bills, P450 in all, as his first pledge. He then stands up and leaves, and our staff thanks him.
30 minutes later this same man returns, this time with another man in a buisness suit. It turns out that this other guy was his employer, he was working as a driver for the latter. The "shabby" guy did all the talking while his employer quietly nods on. The employer then raises a few questions to us, inquiring about a few technical details on payment modes. Then brings out his credit card and fills up the form to sponsor a child. We thank them both and watch as the two men leave, with the "shabby" guy still talking about his experiences in Aklan.
Kinda makes you think.
One Life...Make Your Life Count
There are over 6 billion people around the world. Make your life count.
World Vision's Acting on AIDS video. A moving video that examines the developing world's lack of access to basic resources such as clean water and education while illustrating the struggle for daily survival that many have to face in these nations. Filled with important images and information, this World Vision video challenges viewers to do something with the one life they've been given.
Used by the Acting on AIDS student movement to create awareness and promote activism on their college campuses. For more information on Acting on AIDS and starting a chapter, visit www.actingonaids.org
World Vision's Acting on AIDS video. A moving video that examines the developing world's lack of access to basic resources such as clean water and education while illustrating the struggle for daily survival that many have to face in these nations. Filled with important images and information, this World Vision video challenges viewers to do something with the one life they've been given.
Used by the Acting on AIDS student movement to create awareness and promote activism on their college campuses. For more information on Acting on AIDS and starting a chapter, visit www.actingonaids.org
You Can Make A Difference...For One Child
Yes, YOU CAN make a difference.
Changing the world, one child at a time. You can make a difference for one child ... by providing access to the basics of life: clean water, healthcare, education, and nutritious food. Sponsor a child through World Vision - and change a life!
Changing the world, one child at a time. You can make a difference for one child ... by providing access to the basics of life: clean water, healthcare, education, and nutritious food. Sponsor a child through World Vision - and change a life!
World Vision-Philippines Celebrates 50
World Vision is celebrating its 50 years of service to Filipino children since it started its ministry in the Philippines in 1957.
World Vision is a child-focused Christian relief and development organization dedicated to working with poor children and their families world wide.
In the Philippines, World Vision has assisted over 250,000 poor Filipino children and their families since 1957. A good number of which have become succesful businessmen, teachers, and leaders in their respective fields in the country. Currently, World Vision is supporting more than 110,000 children through Child Sponsorship.
Child Sponsorship is one of the best ways of helping:
* It provides access to basic education, providing school supplies
* Provides clean and safe water to the community
* Access to basic healthcare
* Values formation for the children
* Livelihood development programs for the parents and the community
On it's 50th year, World Vision is aiming to find sponsors for 5,000 children.
YOU CAN HELP!!!
For only P450 a month, you can help send a poor child to school.
SPONSOR A CHILD NOW!
Call (+632) 3727777
or log on to http://www.worldvision.org.ph
To find out more, watch this video...
World Vision is a child-focused Christian relief and development organization dedicated to working with poor children and their families world wide.
In the Philippines, World Vision has assisted over 250,000 poor Filipino children and their families since 1957. A good number of which have become succesful businessmen, teachers, and leaders in their respective fields in the country. Currently, World Vision is supporting more than 110,000 children through Child Sponsorship.
Child Sponsorship is one of the best ways of helping:
* It provides access to basic education, providing school supplies
* Provides clean and safe water to the community
* Access to basic healthcare
* Values formation for the children
* Livelihood development programs for the parents and the community
On it's 50th year, World Vision is aiming to find sponsors for 5,000 children.
YOU CAN HELP!!!
For only P450 a month, you can help send a poor child to school.
SPONSOR A CHILD NOW!
Call (+632) 3727777
or log on to http://www.worldvision.org.ph
To find out more, watch this video...
Make It Count
Know your numbers.
* In 1750 there were about 800 million people in the world. In 1850 there were a billion more, and by 1950, another billion. Then it took just 50 years to double to 6 billion.
* There are more than 600 million telephone lines, yet almost half the world's population has never made a phone call on a land line. However, more than half the world's population has made a cell phone call. There are more than 2 billion cell phones in use.
* Half the world's population earns about 5% of the world's wealth.
* Half the world's population is under 25 years of age.
* Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed - the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.
* Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed - the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.
* World Vision has assisted over 250,000 poor Filipino children since it started its work in Philippines since 1957. Currently, World Vision is supporting around 110,000 Filipino children through Child Sponsorship. But thousands more need your help.
This year, World Vision is aiming to send 5,000 poor children to school. We need your help, anyway you can. This site is dedicated to people who are willing to express their desire to help, and share it to others as well.
Have any thoughts on how to help? Post your comments. Or better yet, email your thoughts on life.counts@gmail.com and we'll upload it here.
We only have one life. Make yours count!
* In 1750 there were about 800 million people in the world. In 1850 there were a billion more, and by 1950, another billion. Then it took just 50 years to double to 6 billion.
* There are more than 600 million telephone lines, yet almost half the world's population has never made a phone call on a land line. However, more than half the world's population has made a cell phone call. There are more than 2 billion cell phones in use.
* Half the world's population earns about 5% of the world's wealth.
* Half the world's population is under 25 years of age.
* Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed - the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.
* Almost 1,2 billion people are underfed - the same number of people that are overweight to the point of obesity.
* World Vision has assisted over 250,000 poor Filipino children since it started its work in Philippines since 1957. Currently, World Vision is supporting around 110,000 Filipino children through Child Sponsorship. But thousands more need your help.
This year, World Vision is aiming to send 5,000 poor children to school. We need your help, anyway you can. This site is dedicated to people who are willing to express their desire to help, and share it to others as well.
Have any thoughts on how to help? Post your comments. Or better yet, email your thoughts on life.counts@gmail.com and we'll upload it here.
We only have one life. Make yours count!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)