There are always lots of campaigns and promo ads on the television encouraging us to help. To help those less fortunate. To save the environment. To help preventing animal abuse and to help protect the nature. On daily bases I feel I am bombarded with images of starving children, abused animals and environmental disasters.
I usually dislike this kind of approach. I feel it is unpleasant, often staged and perhaps emotionally exhausting at times, at least to me. I might be very wrong, but that is my perception.
Recently I caught a glimpse of such an add, or campaign, if you will. However, this one was different. It was real. Or rather, it felt real. It touched something in me, that I can not adequately describe. Unfortunately, while watching it, I was oblivious to the message and therefore, before I knew what it was all about, it was gone.
The image I saw kept returning to my mind forever. I kept thinking about it for days after. It was disturbing and touching in more ways than one, as it depicted a small child in a refugee camp. The child looked abandoned and it was struggling. What was very apparent to me most of all, was the the perception of an adult in the little body. A result of the unimaginable hardship of its every day life. One that leaves little room for toys or play or any kind of childhood; only the hard reality of a terribly disturbed present and a hopeless future. Images like these seem to put my life into quiet a different perspective.
I took me weeks to finally track down the movie clip.
I still think about it every day.
9 comments:
I can't see the clip but I know the sort of ad you mean. They are heartbreaking. I see them and look at my child and simply can't wrap my head around the difference in circumstances. And yes, perspective changes... dramatically. And I kick myself for the whining I do.
That nearly made me cry. Times are hard for everybody yet I am still able to feed my 4 children every day. They have never had to experience hunger in their lives! For that I am soooo greatful. Yet, somehow there is also this strange sense of guilt.....
I didn't watch all the clips, but saw the one called "Give A Hand" that showed the small boy struggling with two heavy contanners--he looked so weary. It breaks my heart when I see these sorts of things.
And like you saw--it IS true that these children who grow up like that ARE much more adults than children. I will check this site again, and thank you for reminding me that we need to make it a priority, even if we can only spare a little something, to donate and help organizations such as The World Food Programme(at Christmastime, we usually donate to Unicef).
I saw one Christmas Eve that just broke my heart. A little 12 year old boy took care of his little brothers and his grandmother in Africa. I just wanted to go there and bring all of them (grandma included) home with me. I was about in tears by the end of it. This one seemed real too. I've heard some not great things about some of those children's charities, so I'd have to investigate this one further. Then there are the Sarah McLachlan SPCA commercials with the abused animals. With her singing that song Angel in the background. I have to change the channel because those innocent little animals being mistreated... UGH! Just tears my heart out!
That's heart-wrenching and yes, very difficult to watch. It's mind boggling to me how there can be such abundance for many of us, and such poverty for others. It's so difficult to understand.
We at our office, recently intiated by replacing paper cups with Ceramic mugs for coffee...Just a bit of effort from our side. :-)
Diane, yes, it must be so much more obvious, when you are a mother. Also at times devastating, as you feel so helpless.
I guess our own whining is inevitable, as we only can relate to and compare ourselves to what is around us.;)
Holly, I so understand what you mean. You feelings show sensitivity to the world. This awareness is sometimes important; please find joy in the fact that your children are cared for, that is all you can do.;) I am always happy for your sincere and kind comments.;)
Tina, that is exactly the clip I was referring to. For some reason, by yesterday night it was replaced by their newest add. I have now fixed the link, so it links to the child in the refugee camp. It is a heartbreaking clip, at least to me. But I am happy to hear it touched you too.
I think this is a good site. I am so convinced that you are doing the best you can, thank you so much for those kind and wise words, you are the best.;)
Mel, I share your sentiments in this. Sometimes I am worried that the money and the contribution does not reach the right cause at all. And I too feel at times the need to bring the people over here, like I did with this child.
I will check out the Sarah foundation, she has been a favourite artist of mine for almost 2 decades.;)
Hilary, that is exactly it; it is strange how the assets of the world are unevenly distributed; for some getting the food or the shelter for the day as a constant obstacle to overcome. Sometimes my problems seem to dwindle away when I think of this.
I always appreciate your kind comments.;)
Ajeya, I agree, I feel the same way every time I recycle; even contributing in a small way is better than not at all.
So glad you stopped by.;)
By just watching the clip, I can feel he is hurting. I can feel his hunger. I can feel his pain. I can feel them struggling. Hear them crying for help with their sadly desperate lives.
That is the most shortest yet the most meaningful clip I've ever seen in my entire life.
Noelle, thank you so much for those heartfelt, significant words.
I agree with everything you write; I too found this to be the most meaningful clip I have ever seen.
Post a Comment