Harnessing Student Potential In Microfinance
UMW Day 5
The clock has struck 4pm and my TDC week has come to an end. As soon as the challenge ended many of the participants scurried to the comfort of their homes. Surely by now all of us have showered, eaten a hot meal and changed into clean clothes. As it rains and the temperature drops, we immerse ourselves back into the reality from which we came from. Having finally sat down to relax, with no worries or responsibilities, I took time to reflect on this past week.
What has been brought to my attention and highlighted is how easy our lives are. After struggling to make food, drinking water and a shelter it astounds me how, in my normal lifestyle, all of these aspects are so readily available. What humbles me further is that I only endured a week of living off of 2 dollars a day, half the world lives off 2 dollars a day every week of the year. I am thus frustrated. Frustrated at the attitudes of those who would turn a blind eye, who dont appreciate what they have, who live as if they, and only they, are entitled to everything they have and more, who dont live within their means and then criticize peoples good will and voluntary spirit. But then I feel compassion, compassion for those who are suffering, compassion for those arent, but most of all compassion for every one of my brothers and sisters around the world. I wonder what our world would look like if we all felt more compassion for one another. And finally I feel hopeful. Hopeful that through our struggle, and that of millions of people around the world trying to make a difference, little by little we can bring about the best in our peers and in ourselves. As William Wordsworth wrote,
As tempted more; more able to endure,
As more exposed to suffering and distress;
Thence, also, more alive to tenderness.
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Comment
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Comment by Kerry Noble on April 8, 2011 at 11:39pm -
Yes it was a great afternoon, being warm and clean!! Glad you made it!
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Comment by Kaitlin Smart on April 8, 2011 at 11:25pm
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I loved reading this! TDC really did open my mind to the horrors of what half of the world experiences. After a week of living on two dollars a day, I still cannot imagine what it would be like to do that everyday of your life. It really does seem unfair that so many people are so well-off, but do not take the time to share what they have, or to even take a step back and realize just how lucky they are. Many of those who have the misfortune of living on two dollars a day seem to be grateful that they even have that, and are grateful just to be alive. This week has shown me to take the time to be grateful for what I have, and I hope that I can show others to be grateful for their lives as well.
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Comment by Kevin Marshall on April 8, 2011 at 8:33pm -
There you go made it. GO caveman... save money live simiply...
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Comment by Stefany Ruiz on April 8, 2011 at 7:40pm
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You're right. We are lucky to have experienced the relief of going back to our day-to-day and not have to continue living in the $2 a day cycle day in and day out. I'm so glad that you feel hopeful of the change people like you and other fellow TDC participants hope to bring about, and, congratulations to you on completing the week!
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