A dot in a circle
Reflection. Photo by Baikong
It’s a bitterly cold and quiet day in Johannesburg. For two months of reflections and two months of dissatisfaction to my question, “Why I am Here?,” the hug of winter is a companion. And every day, as I feel the serenity and calmness inside my haven of privacy, I ask myself of same question.
My passion to humanitarian work ignites from being a witness to the situation of the vulnerable people when armed conflicts erupt and escalate, and when pandemic, epidemics, and diseases haunts those people who cannot afford even their food. When I see and hear about those people, I feel bad. I feel the adrenalin rush rising that we can do something to address the problem. And so, I started working restlessly from one place to another, either it’s a conflict and post-conflict setting, natural disaster inflicted areas and population, or health-related response.
When art and creation meet
Sunset in Cape Town. Photo by Baikong
South Africa is unique in its own right. I always say it is always a very surprising country. I always thought, it’s gonna be hot, but they have winter. I always thought it might be so scary, but lovely and warm people makes me comfortable. I thought, I don’t like surprises, but South Africa invites me to unravel mysteries that unwrapped its charm and beauty. Now, I am always looking forward to the next lovely surprises it brings. Just like the lovely sunset I had ever seen, I saw the childish me impressions and enchantment that all I can say is “Woooowww!” No words can explain, but yeah, this is for real. Looks like an artist hand had brushed the hues and colours of scenery delicately, but it is South Africa, right?
To do list on Earth Day!
1. Calculating my Ecological FootPrint
ecofootprint quiz
A good start to kick off Earth Day on my own is giving sometime to take the Footprint Quiz. A very friendly official website of Earth Day welcomed me with a very child-centered quiz on calculating how many planets we need if everyone lives a lifestyle the same as I do. Even though the quiz only has two countries (US and Australia) to choose from, I chose Australia, since it’s near to Philippines.
From distress to hope
Women affected by the armed conflict in Central Mindanao gathered for a cause. (Photo originally taken by Baikong)
Life between displacements and atrocities is a life of narrowing light of hope.
This is how Fatima, 40 years old, widow, mother of eight, described her situation.
Fatima’s children were born and raised in Manila, miles away from her origin in Aleosan, North Cotabato.
Last September 2008 the family decided to go back to Fatima’s roots and start another chapter of their lives.
Fatima was excited to introduce to her children how beautiful Mindanao is. The excitement became a nightmare. A month of hope and liberty did not last long.
Bedtime Stories
A girl looking inside children class activities (photo taken by Baikong)
Magical fairies. Princess and Prince. Damsel in mistress. The knight in shining armor. Once upon a time. They lived happily ever after.
These are the typical characters in bedtime stories.
However, I grew up without bedtime stories told neither by my father nor my mother. I grew up without my imagination reinforced by storytelling of magical impossibilities. Bedtime stories didn’t run in the culture of my family. Moreover, it is not also traditional practice in our culture here in the South.
Within 24 years, I didn’t hear my parents ever said that life always end happily ever after nor they speak of distress ever after. I came to discover along my journey if bedtime stories really exist.
