Struggle Less. Contribute More
This blog is my attempt to give you what I would have needed when I felt most disheartened. Both by the environment I was working in, but also by the aid community in general.
Many aid-workers do a tremendous job in difficult circumstances. The problem is that there are too many around who do not live up to the standards the organizations and the agencies have set for themselves. And sadly, that includes a large number of people in leading positions. [Read more…]
I have not come across any NGO or government running programme focusing on literacy among the elderly. Not before I read an article about, and later contacted Ageing Nepal. That,of course, does not mean that such programmes do not exist; but they cannot be abundant.
Addressing illiteracy is most often focused on children and school-enrolment. Rightly so, but as a result many adults, and especially the elderly, do never get the chance to catch up and gain basic skills in reading, writing or counting. In Nepal, it is assumed that 90 % of women over 60 are illiterate.
Illiteracy makes you very vulnerable , and totally dependent on other people. It has a major effect on your well-being. You may stay at home because you are afraid of getting lost. Especially, if you have recently moved to a big city. That is the case for many of the women taking part in the “Basic Literacy Class.” If you are iliterate you may not be able to use a mobile phone, and you cannot read the prescription for how to take your medicine.
What about men? Of the ones being selected to take part in the project only to showed up for the first lesson. They later dropped out expressing discomfort being among all the ladies. (Male pride! Sigh!)
Besides gaining basic literacy skills, the female participants also established enduring friendships. They also feel much more useful, and can help grandchildren with their homework. Some have even joined Facebook!
If you have time, please read the project report. It is a moving story, far away from the dry and professional reports one usually come across. if you have less time: read the stories by or about some of women, starting at page 30.
You find the report here: Completion Report of Literacy Class
It is for the first time in their life that our 60+ learners realized their ability to learn reading and writing as anyone else, irrespective of the gender and age. This has greatly lifted up their selfrespect and confidence to participate in the mainstream society. It is safe to assume that these ladies will continue to be active learners throughout their life.
[From the summary of the report]
This project is an example of how to do things. An example we can all learn from. Ageing Nepal showed a commendable humility when taking on this, to them, whole new task of teaching elderly people.
They listened to their participants; and quickly realised they had to adjust the curriculum and the time table, more agreeable to their student’s capabilities. Due to domestic duties teaching hours per day were reduced; and teaching methods needed to be focused on what was at immediate use for their eager students. In the report, Ageing Nepal is very honest about the challenges they faced. Between the lines, it is also easy to see the how deeply the implementors and teachers care about their students. These are all signs of a mentally mature organisation.
Ageing Nepal has been able to set up similar classes at other locations in Kathmandu, but are eager to expand further. Like most small NGOs they are constantly looking for funding. Would you like to know more about Ageing Nepal or how to support them , please contact Ageing Nepal.
What is described in the article is unfortunately not unique. Quite the contrary:
This is, unfortunately, the case with many UN missions around the world. As a result, the UN is not able to take a stand and focus on essential matters.
Such as the horrendous situation of the Rohingyas in Myanmar.
Furthermore, this cowardice mixed with internal battles makes the UN look ridiculous, and more and more insignificant day by day. [Read more…]
In the first post in this series I wrote about what is more well-known regarding corruption and disasters. Such as the embezzlement of relief funds and substandard buildings collapsing during earthquakes.
However, when it comes to how corruption influences vulnerability in general, little has been written, and even less has been said.
There are a few published articles on the subject but they are beyond most people’s reach. Official reports and documents often only hint at a connection, and use terms like “ lack of accountability” or “weak governance”.
That does not mean a relationship does not exist. Because, there are several things we actually do know. [Read more…]
The authors remind us of the universal and ancient wisdom that joy can only be found within ourselves. It is not about loads of money, the next promotion, a bigger house or achieving any kind of self-centred goals.
We know that, but the human race seems to be in need of a constant reminder. If we had lived by that reminder both humanity and the planet would have been in a much better state. [Read more…]
Aid workers and others with experience from disasters, are well aware of the severe impact corruption has on disaster management. The problem with corruption is of course that it is opaque; and often occurs in countries where transparency is low and press freedom repressed. Hence, it can continue undisturbed. Journalists or others who want to investigate cases of severe corruption also risk putting themselves in danger.
In academic literature the influence of corruption on disaster management is mentioned; but mostly in a generic way without elaborating on the matter. When I browsed through the index lists of my books on disaster management, the word corruption occurred in only one of them. Articles that do exist are often shared among academics or networks of professionals. In other words, within closed communities talking to themselves.
Therefore, aiming to reach a wider audience; and in a series of articles I will highlight what is more widely known about disasters and corruption, what is less known, and my own take on the matter.
Let´s start with what we know. [Read more…]