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I came across this photo the other day while reading at my favorite Thai news site. It sure provokes many different emotions and thoughts. An image of a blind beggar in front of a high end boutique is something you can see everyday in so-called "developing" countries where a majority of population suffer from poverty. Not only a blind man, you will be able to spot many homeless children as young as 3 years old risking their lives by selling flower garlands on "busy" streets. Elderly women in their 70's and 80's with ailing health condition with hungry small grandchildren by their side begging for food and money on a footpath under hot sun.
It is such an intense scene that get me to stop and think about a lot of things in life and that "guilt" for buying things I do not "need". This images portrays a high contrast between wealth/materialism VERSUS unfortunateness/poverty....something on the totally opposite ends. It gives me a horrible feeling of a "heartache" and truly brings tears to my eyes. I remember when I still lived back home in Bangkok, it was one of the hardest thing to see and walk by. I came come, kept thinking how their lives would be tomorrow or will there ever be tomorrow for them?
I had this "heartache" feeling very often when I still lived in my motherland - Bangkok, Thailand. I used to watch a program that came on after an evening news where it featured a daily life of these unfortunate people. Often, they showcased a different family which consisted of very old grandparents and small grandchild/grandchildren living in a shack in a rural area. The grandparetns were very old and had some health issues but they still had to take care of a grandchild because their parents left to a city to find job and never returned. I am telling you, I hated watching those as it's heartbreaking and I always ended up literally bursting into tears and couldn't sleep. It is very sad and depressing but it gives you a new outlook and teaches you some lesson in life.
Unlike many developed nations where a majority of population is middle class, Thailand and many nations in Asia particularly Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Lao, Burma and etc.) have soooooooo many poor population. Comparing to a pyramid, the rich and the middle-class are at the "very" top while the rest of the pyramid represents the poor and the unfortunate population. The rich people are so rich that they can afford to buy an array of Hermes bags in every color available while the poor are so poor that they can't even afford food to keep them alive on a daily basis.
My parents are not religious (we are buddhist just like most people in Thailand, and I still am and will be Buddhist by heart and soul while my husband and dauther are Christians). We rarely go to temple but my mother always teaches us to "help others" whether human or animals. We do not neccessarily have to donate money to the temples where they already have so many generous people donating. Look around and beyond yourselves, see who else are in need and give what we can give. We do not have to be rich to give and I strongly agree. The most important thing is to make sure everyone in your family have the basic neccessites they need (physically and emotionally) before going out and reaching others. There are a lot of people who often donate to charities and help others in need but treat their parents horribly. Something is awfully wrong with that picture, don't you agree?
As I moved far away from my country and settle down in this "developed" nation, I don't get to see those scenes everyday, yet I still "need" be reminded from time to time that problems and poverty still exist in this world. I need to stay true and don't get carried away with materialism because they are only superficial and only make you happy temporarily. It is okay to reward yourself with these material objects but it is important to find a moderation. I think we all have come so far in technology and revolution that we "sometimes" forget what and where a true happiness is. Everytime I look at this picture, it is a great reminder for me. I have this very strong argument with myself. One side is saying "why should I dump 2k or 3k on a bag that made from a poor dead lamb or a scarf that claimed to be made in France while that money can help those in need, that money can go along way for them". My other side is arguing "why can't I pamper myself with some luxurious items and feel like a millionaire for 5 minutes?" Honestly, I am torn.
One of my passions in life is to one day set up a foundation to help animals/elderly and children of my own. It truly is a "big" dream as it requires so much dedication / generous resources in terms of money, time and knowledge. I am not sure if it will ever come true but for now I support these organizations in my country from afar as my fund is available.
As I moved far away from my country and settle down in this "developed" nation, I don't get to see those scenes everyday, yet I still "need" be reminded from time to time that problems and poverty still exist in this world. I need to stay true and don't get carried away with materialism because they are only superficial and only make you happy temporarily. It is okay to reward yourself with these material objects but it is important to find a moderation. I think we all have come so far in technology and revolution that we "sometimes" forget what and where a true happiness is. Everytime I look at this picture, it is a great reminder for me. I have this very strong argument with myself. One side is saying "why should I dump 2k or 3k on a bag that made from a poor dead lamb or a scarf that claimed to be made in France while that money can help those in need, that money can go along way for them". My other side is arguing "why can't I pamper myself with some luxurious items and feel like a millionaire for 5 minutes?" Honestly, I am torn.
One of my passions in life is to one day set up a foundation to help animals/elderly and children of my own. It truly is a "big" dream as it requires so much dedication / generous resources in terms of money, time and knowledge. I am not sure if it will ever come true but for now I support these organizations in my country from afar as my fund is available.
Friends...What thoughts come across your mind when you see the above photo?
P.S. I am not turning my blog into a "serious/heavy" blog but I thought I share something provoking and differnt here and there instead of doing the same old fashion/beauty related posts. I hope you enjoy it, please feel free to let me know whether I should continue to bring something like this or not. On another note, thanks for sharing your financial stories/philosophies with me :)
I think this is a great and sad post.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to claim that I am a good samaritan or anything like that but I have always believed in doing my part to share the blessings that I have.
Don't feel bad or be too hard on yourself with the poverty and pain you see around you. We can only do so much, which is too little to alleviate the pain of everyone around us. But I think, in all honesty that some poor people are also happy despite their lack of some things in life.
I have lived in the Philippines all my life and I often see heart breaking scenes from time to time. Some people need help but some people are just too lazy for their own good. I believe that educating and helping these people set up small businesses or give them work is the way to go so they can learn how to live for themselves. I'm the type of person who would rather give bread to an orphan beggar rather than money because I am scared that the orphan might use it to gamble or buy drugs.
Don't feel bad for having the things that you have. You and your family are working hard to get what you have. ^-^ Help them, but not to the extent that it will be detrimental to you.
I remember at 16 going back to Vietnam to visit and I see little kids as young as 4 walking around asking for money or elders on the street begging for small change. My heart ache for them and that's why I dont take anything for granted.
ReplyDeleteand no this is not boring for me to read..i love it! btw i answer your question on my blog but not sure if u got it...about totally rad action. I do use it on most of my photos..which photoshop version do you have. I use it on my CS5 and CS3.
that picture is so powerful and so heartbreaking. thank you for this post. sometimes "heavy" is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteSugar Sugar: thanks girl for your kind words and sharing. I do agree with you on every point especially the one about some poor people who are poor because they sit around and do nothing. They are a lot of those who abuse and take advantage of people's sympathy. My husband often says what you say that we can't help every single one of them.
ReplyDeleteYvonne: thanks girl, I know what it is like especially now that I have a child. My heart breaks in million pieces seeing small homeless childrenor orphans. And thank you about TotallyRad info. I have a PhotoShop 9, not a CS version.
Amy: powerful is definitely a perfect term for this photo. A photographer captured everything without having to say a word.
this picture really takes your breath away nelah!
ReplyDeletewe see this a lot in downtown too.. next to the chanel and the LV are a lot of homeless people. it is hard to stomach sometimes.. i try to run into a nearby 7-11 or mcdonalds and get them some food when i see them.
Lisa: because you are as sweet as you are, your hubby (and we fellow bloggers) adores you :)
ReplyDeleteThere's no way we can escape the extreme gaps between the rich and poor. We just do the best we can to help others and enjoy our lives too.
ReplyDeleteI try to balance my spending because I don't want to feel guilty about my purchases. If I can afford them, it's fine, but I try to not be excessive because I know my money could be used in better ways. If I can afford several thousand to plunk down on a purse, wouldn't I do the same for a non-profit? It's just something I think about from time to time. =)
What a great and touching post Nelah. I had a very humble upbringing so sometimes I compensate and justify my splurges now.. but I always give back to my community as much as I can. I do spend a lot but I also give back just as much and I am proud of that. Thanks for sharing this- so touching.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, that is definitely heartbreaking. i got teary-eyed from looking at the picture and reading your post. :( this inspires me to really work hard and reach out to those in need.
ReplyDelete<3, Mimi
exactly!
ReplyDeletei saw these things during my last trip to jakarta. i just really wish those super rich has done a big share form what they have to help the poor before buying 12 hermes bag! seriously?