Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Liberated by disasters



When a disaster happens, some people are burdened by a task of picking up the pieces caused by a force beyond their control, others are given a gift, a gift of being spared from the disaster. Some people take it for granted and do nothing, others may volunteer or donate.

Many things we learn about relief is not true. We are often told that individuals are not effective in the field. We are told not to donate clothes, but only give money. However, when you think of it closely, do you know how your charity money is spent?

I have been to several disasters, and I have realized that there is a big role for individual volunteers to play. Large charities and governments bring aid to the field fast, but due to top down bureaucracy, they are unable to act fast enough to satisfy the changing needs on the ground, and individuals are required to fill the gaps and meet the needs on the field.

I have often seen children running around naked, and yet charities tell us not to donate clothes. The reason why the charities tell us not to donate clothes, is not because the people do not need them, but rather the charities do not have manpower to sort them. As an individual, I have been to a shelter and got the children in the shelter involved to help sort the donated clothes. At the end of the day, the sorted clothes are picked through and used by the survivors.

There are times which I do not agree on how the charities act. Most incoming resources for recovery are managed by foreign organizations, professionals & volunteers and they excluding local stakeholders. Funds provided largely spent on foreign resources - Local resources and Stakeholders are not actively engaged in relief & recovery initiatives, often being displaced by foreign providers. But instead of complaining, I felt that one should take action to do what is right.

Fear prevents people from taking actions. Even when you feel that you can contribute, you will find excuses to stop you from taking actions. Procrastination sets in and it is hard to overcome.

With social media, emails and smses, the world is a much smaller place. Everyone is interconnected. With information that others are burdened by disaster, I decided to go to the areas and contribute as an individual. When I wanted to contribute actions, I constantly send information of my actions back on social media, and request for reimbursements from my friends to support my effort. When they see my actions and photos, much of my costs are covered.

When I declare to friends that I am going to Japan a week after the tsunami, there were people who cautioned me about the dangers, and others who wanted to contribute. Some asked me how effective I could be on the ground, some asked why I wanted to go. Frankly, I don't really have the perfect answer. Some time ago, I have decided to live life by my rules, not by rules other set for me.

It is a liberating experience not to be controlled by fear, but have the courage to do what you think is right. It is not easy, but defeating procrastination is a lifelong skill which I intend to master.


-- Robin Low

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Human Inadequacies


Knowledge both saved us and burdened us.
Experience may help us in may ways, but also make us fear new ways of doing things.
Planning may help us accomplish many things while avoiding problems, however, over planning is the main reason for "failure to launch"
Eagerness to help may sound noble, but too much aid may result in more harm than good.

From medicine to finance, business to government, the world we live in is not as simple as it seems as many problems faced may not be solved by only apply one discipline of knowledge but diverse knowledge is required to understand the root cause.

With the Internet, we all have stupid amounts of information (and misinformation) on our finger tips. Putting this knowledge in the hands of experienced, competent and hardworking people, we have accomplished much, yet failures are common, persistent -- sometimes frustrating and demoralizing.

We live in a world of extreme complexities. Many things are intertwined. High school drop outs may not be just an education problem, as homeless kids will most likely drop out of schools. Over legislation tends to try to sweep the underlying problems further and when the problem arise again, it will only come with increased intensity and magnitude.

We need to recognize that we are humans, and we have egos -- egos which may get in the way of making the best of choices. Even the best of intentions may fail


The snake trying to save the drowning fish may think it is doing the fish a favor by bringing it out of the water.

Though meeting many people, trying out many different solutions and perspectives, I've came to understand the simplicity, complexity and duplicity of many problems, and I hope to share my experience with some anecdotes and stories. Some may apply to you and if you relate to them, please share, comment and discuss.

-- Robin Low