cold noses

I know some of you have been worried about me and I apologize that I haven’t had much time to write lately...I still don’t. I feel like I should reflect poetically and profoundly on the disaster that happened in my region but I can’t do it justice. My organization has Member Associations in 8 countries of South Asia, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Maldives and, obviously, we’ve been concerned about our colleagues and coworkers that are working in the regions affected. I think the death count is at 68,000 but by the time you read this probably around 70 - 75 thous....but that really isn’t the worst of it. I could comment on the small villages stuffed with dead bodies, with no help and no way of burying/burning their dead, have no choice but to let the dead distend while family members lament. In places that the relief workers have reached - Hindu bodies are buried and Muslims are cremated and the divisions of rich and poor are even further breached. Many people see the number of dead and concentrate on figure but, millions of people lost the material possessions that took them a lifetime to acquire. In this region, in this culture, those things are never going to be regained. Even with relief there are gaps, judgements and biases. Obviously, my organization is desperately trying to find a niche in which to help the people affected. We don’t deal directly with clean water, construction or food but we do deal with issues that will come to, if not already, affecting the sufferers – rape, sex work (yes, many women and children are either forced into this or resort to this out of desperation and in attempt to survive). We can also provide health care under the guise of pregnancy or reproductive health check-ups. We can give clean water and food to young mothers and children. We can join with other organizations to help them assist in whatever way. It maybe strange to hear these boarders but it comes down to donors, funding and counting the paise (pennies).

That was a rant. Clearly I’m feeling a bit helpless and angry (why do humans kill each other when there is many other things killing us?) and I have been really down lately – this all seems self-centered. I don’t know what to say, just thought I’d better write so that you all would know that I’m doing fine.

In other unrelated and of lesser importance news: I’m still between places but you can send packages or letters to my work address. I’ll email it to anyone who needs it. One of these days I’ll finally write those of you who have sent me wonderful cards, letters and books in the mail. For now, I’m heading to Udaipur (in Rajasthan – it’s a desert, no where near the coast) for New Years. It seems ridiculous but that was my plan before so I’m sticking with it. It might be nice to get away and reflect.

Take care everyone. Email me sometime and tell me what’s new.

Love,