I remember reading this ancient proverb somewhere when I was a kid and it sparked a lovely little luminous flame inside me. The flame has grown to a toasty warm fire over the years, and when I am looking for ways of best helping those who are suffering, I think of this phrase.
Next Wednesday, October 15 is this year’s Blog Action Day. And the topic? Poverty. In line with my philosophy that communication + education = solution, I’m thrilled to be a part of this great idea to bang our blogs together to stimulate awareness, conversation, and creativity about something that is in desperate need of our attention. If you’d like to join in with me, all you have to do is register your blog here and follow the guidelines. If you don’t have a blog, all you have to do is read our posts on the day and even better, comment! We each have a voice, as tiny as we think it is, when you join them all together I can tell you, a beautiful echo sounds across the airwaves and stimulates positive action.
So yeah, I’d love you guys to join in – the thought of all of us being creative and posting our thoughts and expressions about poverty for just one day makes my skin tingle and fills my heart with hope…
I´m in! (in my personal blog – in portuguese)
October 9th, 2008 | #
oh ana, that’s great!
October 9th, 2008 | #
We’re in! Have also just formed a ‘Lending Group’ on Kiva.org for the Dumbo feather community. Pia, if you don’t know about Kiva, I think you’ll love it. Essentially it’s a non-profit which facilitates people like lending money to entrepreneurs in developing countries – perhaps a shoemaker in Bangladesh or a grocer in Nigeria. It truly is about ‘teaching people how to fish’ by lending them the funds to be able to get their businesses running better, and then they can pay back the money, and you can loan it to someone else!
October 9th, 2008 | #
I’m in.
October 9th, 2008 | #
Hi Pia, read your blog all the time and think it is wonderful. Have never commented before though but am moved to action – was just discussing this very topic with my sister yesterday. So I’m in too. Think it is very empowering – thanks for bringing it to our attention!!
October 9th, 2008 | #
YES im in too, but just one question, do i have to just write my thoughts on poverty in my post? or is there anything else i can write? i love how you are so passionate about this, its very inspiring. 🙂
October 9th, 2008 | #
Hi Pia!
Geez I love your blog! Always cool stuff! So yes! I am going to register my blog for the Blog Action Day – my (relatively new) blog is an education related blog designed especially for school Principals so the poverty issue is a very relevant topic (sadly, in a country like Australia). Thank you for the heads up on this wonderful initiative!
Nell!
October 9th, 2008 | #
Me too! A great way to help make a difference. Amanda x
October 9th, 2008 | #
Amanda, I’m so pleased!
Nell!, thank you! Could you give us a link to your blog so we can all go and take a sneak peek? I’d love to see it!
Ailin, yes, the idea is that on October 15 you post about poverty – it could be just your thoughts about it, or something that people can participate in to help (like Dumbo feather’s Kiva.org), or you could draw a picture, or you could take a photo, or make something and post about it – even if you just go outside and take a photo and dedicate that photo to poverty! Just think openly about it and keep in mind that the goal is to stimulate awareness and action. It could be as simple as describing the feeling you get when you are hungry (I mean, I don’t know about you, but if I don’t have food for many hours, it is pretty painful! so imagine what it must feel like for people who don’t have food everyday.) Or how you feel when you see a homeless person on the street. Or you could post about a song that you like that is about poverty (Arrested Developments “Mr Wendel” comes to mind) Or you could interview a homeless person and write about it! The blog sky is the limit! That is the beauty of blogging – we have no limits, use that opportunity, use your blogging voice to bring awareness. With awareness comes acknowledgement. With acknowledgement comes positive change.
Allison, thank you for commenting! Just your comment alone helps to move ME into action. I love that we can all inspire each other. Love it.
Katiecrackernuts, yay!!
Dumbo Feather, i had a squizz at your post the other day and have been wanting to come back to read more about it. i shall do so today! I am TOTALLY in for these programs that empower people in developing countries. I’m so glad you posted about it, thank you!
xx
October 9th, 2008 | #
Pia, thanks so much for telling me about this. I’ll definitely join in.
I love it how you use your blogs to spread caring for the world, and how committed you are to making the world a better place. You’re a genuine humanist, you are.
October 9th, 2008 | #
having problems with internet since this morning, can’t go to the links you have on your blog and I can only have access to my blog 1 time over 10, I hate this !
Hope all will be better for the 15 and this is a great idea even ‘thou I can’t see the links 🙁
the idea is to talk about poverty right ? I’m in 🙂
October 9th, 2008 | #
Pia: I’m in. I will write from So Lovely but also on my sister’s blog. She is a aid worker in Darfur and deals with this subject, on a daily basis. She was in Somalia before that.
Here’s the other blog:
http://www.mysisterisindarfur.com
October 10th, 2008 | #
Hey Pia!
The link is blog.principalconversations.edu.au (I’m not sure how to make this a link – I’m a dork!) otherwise visit principalconversations.edu.au and click the blog button at the top!
The blog has only just started but the business has been going for about a year now – basically it is an AWESOME professional development series for School Principals Everywhere! Thanks Pia!
October 10th, 2008 | #
Count moi in!
October 10th, 2008 | #
i’m in as well…
October 14th, 2008 | #
Thanks for making me aware of this, Pia! I am in (and have already posted.)
October 15th, 2008 | #