Women and Children First

What works as a strategy for abandoning a sinking ship, isn’t necessarily being practiced in these moments of economical disaster. After reading various articles about the 820 billion USD American stimulus plan that thankfully managed to hop over its first hurtle yesterday, I wondered why so little of the dialogue is about the welfare and education of women and children. Despite the childish posturing/pouting of many Republicans in Washington and foreign politicians in Davos (e.g. Putin) this week, I remain hopeful that Mr. Obama’s and Kofi Annan’s will continue to focus on these matters.

“For the roots of this crisis go beyond an abject failure of financial governance and neglect of warnings of the risks being run. Connections between economies have been revealed which were clearly not fully understood, let alone regulated. There may have been endless talk of globalization. But it is very clear there has been a lack of recognition of what this means for us all.

What is needed is a fundamental change of mindset. Solutions to the financial crisis must look beyond the impact on the market, financial institutions and developed countries. They must also focus on jobs, family incomes and the effect of the slowdown on the poorest countries. Market forces are the engine for economic growth. But they need to be well regulated to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all.”

If we have learnt anything over the last six months, it is the urgent need for all of us (little folk) to immediately and earnestly invest more of our time, money, and energy in establishing and practicing our civic obligations. Over the last weeks, it has been interesting to read various articles, videos, and blog posts about the activation of a massive American grassroots pledge for better service. And like much of what happened over the last two years it took to bring Senator Obama through the convoluted US electoral system and, thankfully, into the presidential office, I’m not sure that Americans are aware of how much the rest of the world is looking upon them and waiting to see whether they do the right thing.

Mr. Obama speaks of becoming a leader in the world again. America doesn’t only have to become an exemplary political world leader; Americans have to become world social/civic leaders. But, to do this, they have to look beyond the water leaking in under their doors and think and act globally.

I have been following some of the pledges made on the various plattforms and I must say, I am disappointed. There seem to be three types of pledges being made: 1) pledges to help locally or regionally (e.g. health, animal and environmental, social service, education), 2) those who will continue being active in their community and think they already give enough, 3) those who want to give by being “a better person” (smile more at strangers, yell less at their children, don’t give the finger to idiot drivers). It is not a bad start, as far as starts go, but it just isn’t going to be enough to get us to the exit doors, let alone off this sinking ship. And aspiring to save this sinking ship… well, think again! We have to create a massive movement of millions of people contributing in minuscule ways. Even if we manage to do this, there is no guarantee.

Which leads me back to the women and children... Yesterday, I was watching this video about the Millennium Development Goals program. In the video, two British school children interview the leaders of the three political parties concerning the activities and progression of Britain’s and all the UN nations’ commitment to providing primary school education around the world for at least 90% of children by 2015. Gordon Brown, the prime minister of Britain says at one point, “We need to train teachers, build classrooms, supply educational materials, and make sure girls get a chance of receiving an education”. He wasn’t talking only about government and organizations assistance; he was talking about us individuals and he was referring to helping children in developing nations. Particularly in Africa.

I am working with a wonderful community of people in in Kimilili Kenya. We are presently trying to help build a school, create a nutrition and school garden project, find sponsorship for 250 OVCs (orphans and vulnerable children), assist in getting teaching manuals for 5 teachers, and find funding for school supplies and library books. If you think you can offer information, time, practical assistance, or funding, please let me know (cbsmkenya at gmail dot com). A whole community of women and children would be thankful.

Eat locally, work communally, but think and act globally.