June 28, 2009

• Knowing. Feeling. Experiencing.

  I was thinking about my future one night. In a somewhat related manner, my thoughts derailed. I am contemplating applying to Public Administration / Policy related disciplines for grad school. I have yet reached a decision.

  In my university years, a then-friend hosted a fundraising dinner called “Night of a Thousand Dinners” for the Canadian Landmine Foundation. It was a self-serve fundraising system that utilized people’s birthdays as a means of collecting donations for those impacted by landmines in war-torn countries.

  At the dinner, the friend played a promotional video sent to him as part of the fundraising kit. It was a short 10 min video.

  The content etched an indelible mark in my life.

  The video was of Heather Mills, Paul McCartney’s ex wife, interviewing a girl on a wheelchair at a rundown home somewhere in a third world country. The girl must be about 10 to 12 years old. The narrator overtly pointed out the girl’s good mood in lieu of the rare visitor and the barrage of gifts that had followed.

  The girl had no legs. On her way to school one day, she stepped on a landmine and lost both her legs. She was 7 when it happened. She talked to this experience with such peace it amazed me. She sounded merely grateful that she had visitors, with absolutely no hate for what fate had done to her.

  Heather Mills asked her, “If you could have one thing, what would it be?”

  I thought she would ask for her legs back. I thought she would ask for Barbies.

  Instead, she replied, “A computer.”

  This response stumped me.

  She went on to explain that the closest school in her area was miles away. With her condition and limited financial means, she really could not commute to school. Hence, she wanted to learn through a computer. She wanted the computer to fill the educational void in her life.

  For me, her response marked a defining moment. It made me realize, how truly fortunate we are. Truth of the matter is, I have never viewed school as a privilege. Yet, for the girl, all she wanted was …the opportunity to go to school.

  All of us, we have always known the difference between first and third worlds. We see snippets of third worlds on news, on magazines, and in charity brochures. I have always known the difference.

  But that night, I felt the difference.

  I transitioned from knowing the difference to feeling the difference. That moment, I teared.

  Cause, is the root of non-profits and charities. Often, to be passionate about a charity, you need to be passionate about the cause. This is a function of feeling the agony, the struggle, and the pain. This feeling is often a function of past experiences.

  I know and I feel. Next, I need to experience. Finally, if the fit is right, what's left is to take action.

   

  • 12:03 am
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