How to act globally and live locally
Posted on February 26, 2008 by abbie
Filed Under Uncategorized |
I am a firm believer that we each have our own part to play in this world and for some its volunteering in a soup kitchen and for others its building homes in Mexico, but regardless of where we go, I think there is something to the question of how do we live locally and act globally. For a few people the idea of traveling across the world and volunteering for the Peace Corps or working with World Relief is tempting but totally unrealistic, for others it is what they commit their lives to. Maybe for those who want that opportunity to touch another piece of the world, will find it comes from their wallets through supporting a child via World Vision or funding the fight against aids in Africa through The Stephen Lewis Foundation. One of the newest ideas that facilitate acting globally is through helping aid the fight against poverty through micro financing. Micro-finance is taking small savings and crediting it toward economically challenged sections of society; giving men and women across the world small loans to help finance there own business with the incentive to pay it back. This idea has irrupted over continents and oceans and is an incredibly creative way of helping those in need. Two major organizations that help facilitate this idea, are www.VillageBanking.org and www.Kiva.org. Kiva’s website is filled with hundreds of businesses from North America to Africa and all the remote locations in between with individual’s bio’s and business plans being initiated and or continued. For instance you can loan a single mom In Afghanistan with 2 kids $25.00 to buy fabric and a sewing machine for her tailoring business. This new response to poverty makes the people across the ocean our neighbors and the distant issues not so far away. So what about living locally? There are many opportunities in your own local area, The Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Coats for Kids, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, just to name a few. Perhaps it is even in the simplicity of aiding those around us by buying groceries for someone who has lost a job, driving someone to the doctor, or just lending your neighbor a cup of sugar. Finding the needs of a local community is not hard, and getting involved is even easier. It is not easy to forget we are two hours from East Hastings where the streets are laden with non-profit organizations that are aiding those who need a hand up. People are people whether we emerge from the desert of southern Africa or are products of a booming metropolis we are all of equal value and worth. The similarities are undeniable and the ability that so many of us have to lend a hand undeniable. It’s just a matter of each of us knowing what part we are to play and to play that part well.
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