"When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream.
When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality." ...
Dom Helder Camara
While we all dream of a kinder, gentler world
where all are well nourished and healthy, the gap between the dream and
our reality can be overpowering at times, especially when it involves
the suffering of children.
The recent media coverage of the Swine Flu outbreak brings to mind a
major health issue that has been with us for some time now: HIV/AIDS.
HIV and AIDS have caused untold suffering around the world, but the
Sub-Saharan countries of Africa have been most heavily affected. More
than ELEVEN MILLION children have already been orphaned by AIDS and the
number continues to rapidly grow. These children suffer not only
unimaginable loneliness, but a life of deep poverty.
The AIDS statistics are staggering. Although it is difficult to find a
positive side to the situation, we have seen in the past that it often
takes a major crisis to unite people to work together for a common
cause, and what cause could be greater than that to alleviate the
suffering of children?
Anne Frank once said, "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a
single moment before starting to improve the world". We are very
fortunate that in our community we have many groups of
kind-hearted individuals who are willing to lead the way.
It is exciting to hear news of the new "Kincardine to Kenya" project
that has been developed to provide a safety net for African children
based on the principle that “every child deserves a home“. - How true!
Although the Kincardine group is comprised of members of the local
Pentecostal Church, it is encouraging to read that the project is being
promoted as a non-denominational venture and our entire community has
been invited to get involved in the outreach program.
What a great opportunity for everyone of various religious
backgrounds and those of no religious allegiance to come together and
show that we all truly share the same desire to recognize the equal
value of all lives and reach out in kindness. We have been offered an
opportunity to change the destiny of children who are victims of the
AIDS epidemic, and in essence, an opportunity to transform suffering
into hope.
It is encouraging to witness the increasing recognition in the western
world that many of our ways are out-dated. The present state of the
world has proven that looking out for only oneself, one's community or
one's country while ignoring the needs of the rest of the world doesn't
work. More and more people are starting to look more closely at
the "big picture". Times truly are changing and although change
can be frightening, it also very exciting!
It's fortunate for us that we have many dreamers here in our midst
offering a wide variety of opportunities for all of us to become
involved in the process of positive change. It has been said that the
only experience more rewarding than reaching your own dreams is helping
someone else to achieve theirs. Possibly by working together we can help
dream that kinder, gentler world into existence.
Sweet dreams!
(next column)
08/05/2009 09:16 PM
