I feel desperate. It feels like nobody is listening and understanding what is actually going on. This blog has become a distant place out in space where I once a year have something to write. Its probably for attention – which is a paradox because nobody reads it. I have found a new passion in life. Well – it started off as a fascination, continued as a master degree and evolved in to a deep engagement. I think I am starting to become sick – sick of frustration and desperation. I miss India and the slum and I miss making a difference in peoples lives. I probably still do – it just feels meaningless back here in Norway with my big tv, mac and monthly income. I feel like a hipocrit. I know you are not supposed to say that – I should be happy for what I have and that I was blessed to be born in Norway and not Sierra Leone. But I feel like I could have done so much more. ”Well… just write a blog about it then..”.
I think everyone in the fortunate ”West” should think about one of these things each day:
- 1 of 4 children in Sierra Leone die before they turn 5 years old.
- People in Haiti are at the moment dying of cholera – which can be treated with water….
- 10 million people are still waiting for hiv-treatment. They could have lived a good life with treatment – but many of them will probably die.
- In developing countries 146 million children under five are malnutritioned compared to their age.
You probably think that this is not something that concerns you. It is not your problem. Norway has got problems that needs to be dealt with aswell. The difference is that in Norway you can help yourself. You have got all the tools you need to not be hungry or sick. An often used argument is that we have worked hard for it and we have earned it. It is a good argument – but the people in the slum of Seekar in India are working harder than any of us can understand. There is nothing called 8 hour days and payed lunch. They are lucky if they can even get hold of one meal per day. People are so hungry in India that malnutrion is becoming normalised.
”The problem is too big. My doing will not affect anyone.” Wrong! The only thing you are participating in with this statement is more poverty, sickness and suffering.
My plea is that you at least offer all the hungry and sick people out there one thought a day. Do it just before you buy a flatscreen tv for your bedroom or bathroom.
