I count myself as lucky, because I enjoy so many benefits that my parents generation did not even have at the time. My dad was born at the end of World War II to a family that had to start over; my mum was born to a family that was once in good fortune, but never recovered from two world wars, the changing of hands between colonizers of the Philippines, and its own family members' lack of foresight. Those who have heard me speak of my family's dismal origins normally disbelieve the dire circumstances we once came from. But we got lucky, and I guess that that's what ultimately pushed me to contribute actively to charitable causes through financial and voluntary efforts. This documentary is one of the other things that inspired me to become a volunteer: Minsan Lang Sila Bata (Children Only Once, 1994), by Ditsi Carolino and the Ateneo Center for Social Policy, in cooperation with the Archdiocese of Manila Labour Centre. It's quite graphic with its portrayal of child labour in the Philippines, with its feature of children working for more than 10 hours with little food or monetary compensation at slaughterhouses, warehouses, meat markets and shipping yards, among others. It shows child labour in all its ugliness, and what makes it even sadder is that the children involved are very much resigned to their fate, but continue to be rather cheerful in their work.
I am for children's and women's welfare, the rights of the transgendered, the disabled and the terminally ill. I'm also about to join a group for the support of the aged and of World War II veterans. I'd like to support animal rights, but I've still got to get my act together and actually go vegetarian; besides, how are people to learn how to properly care for the earth if they can't even care for THEMSELVES?
To date, here are the causes I support, and why:
1) Make Poverty History - Keeps track of the "Global Eight (G8)" countries, the eight richest countries in the world, which have promised to eradicate poverty by 2010. Also critiques these same countries since they haven't been successful enough in doing so (which also goes without saying that the deadline has since moved...). Nicknamed "the white banders" because the group enjoins all its supporters to wear white bands. The Philippine unit is Kahirapan Wakasan, basically the literal translation of the same phrase into Filipino.
2) Habitat For Humanity International - HFH Philippines was founded in 1999, if I'm not mistaken, and has been prolific ever since for its good works. It even spurred a local Catholic-run counterpart, Gawad Kalinga. I've been volunteering, through my good friend Vinnie, as one of the builders of Habitat for Humanity Philippines since 2001. I admit it's fun because you get to exercise like never before, and the look on the faces of the people whose houses you're helping build is priceless.
3) U! Happy Events - Foundation for Kids - Founded by Filipino-Chinese young professional and hardcore volunteer-philanthropist Harvard Uy de Baron, it aims to provide support and value integration through having Partner Volunteers to the young generation of Kids 7-10 years. It serves as a resource and fund raising partner to other various foundations. The foundation has created 18 events in the last 15 months and has benefited thousands of kids and their families through generous provisions from corporate sponsors, friends and families. Its belief is that "the change we want starts with U!"
4) Yabang Pinoy - Promotes Filipino pride and all positive aspects of Filipino culture in order to ultimately unite the Filipino people into believing in themselves and in fellow Filipinos. Similar to #1 in that you have to wear something, in this case a bracelet woven out of abaca fibre (abaca is indigenous to the Philippines, which is the world's largest supplier; the fibre is known for being exceptionally strong when woven in its natural state). Supports a lot of pro-Filipino causes, mostly perpetuating the various cultures that are dying in the face of Westernised globalization. Kung may nuno ka sa Pilipinas, ipagmayabang na ikaw ay Pilipino!
5) Amnesty International - Safeguards basic human rights and seeks to ensure that all human rights are internationally recognised. The right to live in peace (without violence), the right to a fair trial, and the right to humane treatment while detained in prison are particularly upheld by this group. Also supports the rights of women and children, who are usually marginalised in an increasingly patriarchal society.
6) Free Rice - Beneath this fun word game of synonyms and antonyms is a mission: for every word you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Programme. Expanding your vocabulary is very nice bonus (I have yet to use some words I've learned here though). So get smart and play Free Rice today! PS The webmaster for this also manages Poverty.com, a one-stop information hub for people who have no time but all the drive to learn more about the cause of world hunger, poverty.
7) Grameen Bank - Created by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in the village of Bangladesh in 1976. In this special bank, microcredit has been offered to borrowers who wish to be self-sufficient via income-generating activities and self-housing, as opposed to mere consumption, under principles of trust. It is now owned by the poor borrowers of the bank who are mostly women, and it works exclusively for them. Borrowers of Grameen Bank at present own 94 per cent of the total equity of the bank, with the government owning the left-over 6 percent. I love how this challenges conventional banking systems which don't want to lend to poor but bright and enterprising individuals with potential for success.
8) Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) - International humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries. Based in France but counts members of different nationalities worldwide. In countries where health structures are insufficient or even non-existent, MSF collaborates with authorities such as the Ministry of Health to provide assistance, rehabilitate hospitals and dispensaries, and even train local personnel. It does vaccination programmes and water and sanitation projects, and also works in remote health care centres and slum areas. Because I'm from a family of doctors and nurses (among other medical practitioners), this is close to my heart as well.
9) Make Trade Fair - Run by watchdog group Oxfam International, it aims to ensure that Third World countries (like the Philippines) stand to benefit the most from globalisation, because what's happening right now is that these countries have become the dumping site of goods (not all of them even remotely beneficial) from the G8 and other First World countries (and, alarmingly, some Second World countries), particularly by the industries and companies based in these larger countries. Now if only it was more visible here in the Philippines...
However, you don't need to join a large foundation or organization in order to be a volunteer. Start small - hold a garage sale then turnover a portion of the sales to the charity of your choice(if you still have some items leftover, give them away too!). Write letters to everyone you know so you can drum up support for a relief drive. Schedule a screening of an important documentary (best buy an original DVD or VCD - the proceeds go to the cause supported by the documentarists) at home or in school. There are so many ways to take action, why wait?
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Contributor's Note
If you must quote this, please cite my name and my website as the source.
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