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.