Good morning Malawi
I got a call to my room from the reception this morning, just as I was leaving.
He speaks little English, but has managed to educate his daughters. It is a struggle. This note was pressed into my hand.
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Good Morning Mr Daniel
First of all let us say thanks for what you did to NN. You help her with money for school fees. She was worrying about school since the day she stay at home without going to school but now she is saying thanks for you. But the main purpose of this letter to you is that the whole family of Mr and Mrs NN want to beg you that if possible pliz help us. We don’t have enough food this year and we are so many in our family so we say please and please. We are not forcing but we are just begging. Help us with money so that we can buy enough food to pass this year. Even though we didn’t see you face to face but we know that you are a good man and all the family need to see you the time you have free. We have heard that you are going soon so let us just say have a nice journey. May God be with you wherever you go and don’t forget. Help us.
Thanks.
From: The whole family of NN.
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So … what would you do?
What a painful position to find oneself in. Of course one would want to help. Of course one would be hesitant. One helps others in different ways: a dollar in the outstretched cup, a donation to a fundraiser, a check to a worthy cause or as a teacher, a journalist, or perhaps as an artist making some tiny part of the world aware. Not an answer, but I think you will do — are doing — the right thing.
-bill
Comment by bill harting — April 29, 2010 @ 12:28 am
The painful thing, Bill, is that this is just one of many. I am faced with this several times a week, if not several times a day. I avoid populated areas. If I go there, I will be followed and people will be waiting outside my door the rest of my journey, all with authentic, heartbreaking situations.
You do what you can, and when you can’t, well, …
Comment by Daniel — April 29, 2010 @ 8:21 am