August 2008

Think global act local

Local or global? Who is really worse off? Who needs our assistance more? Who should we reach out to?

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6pm ... the phone is running hot and the letter box full. Why? Because charities, foundations and aid organisations are reaching out. 'Help save the starving in Cambodia' ... 'give your musty clothes to the Salvation Army' ... 'protect the Tasmanian Devils from extinction' ... 'feed the homeless in New York'.

There are organisations that support the needy all over the world. They range from supporting animals in the RSPCA to protecting children who have been imprisoned into slavery in Thailand. The global needs are endless but our ability to assist is limited by time and money.

So my question to you ... protect our local community, or save the world?

I am keeping my opinion neutral. Please know that I am not trying to sway your decision either way, I am simply enlightening you to the reality of our community. From this, you choose where you want your time and money to go or whether you want to assist at all.

Our economy is booming and the unemployment rate is still impressively low however when I walk through Brisbane streets of a morning I see homeless people sleeping on benches. I see them walking around with garbage bags filled with their precious few belongings. I see people starving, queuing at street vans for a hot cup of soup. I see ratty dogs, obviously abused roaming the streets. I see young children digging around rubbish bins to find bug infested scraps of food. Think about it.

Africa, the world's second largest and most populated continent however it stills remains the world's poorest economy facing slavery, government corruption and human rights violations.

Can we save this country or is it beyond help?

Wouldn't it be nice if business, the wealthy, and government officials came together with their finances and lifted this country out of its desolate state? Why does it seem that we give and give our time and money to this country and yet nothing seems to change?

I hear you say that every little bit helps. I hear you say that by helping one child, we are helping a community but are communities changing? Are our contributions really making a difference? I don't know ... I hope so ... or are our contributions better used to support local causes?

How about Cambodia. In 2006, Transparency International rated Cambodia as one of the most corrupt countries on earth. The BBC reported that corruption is rampant in the Cambodian political arena with international aid from the U.S. and other countries being illegally transferred into private accounts. So why help? A friend of mine recently visited Cambodia and this was her account.

"I discovered that visiting Cambodia means not only seeing a visually stunning nation, but also means being exposed to the reality of the many precious young girls who are trafficked into prostitution. Girls as young as five years of age are working in brothels, servicing as many as 30 men a day. My heart broke as I heard story after story of these girls destined to live their lives within the sex slave industry. No future. No hope. Never before had I seen such a lost generation of young children living in despair and hopelessness where poverty goes far beyond a lack of food or money. On my last night in Phnom Penh, my final meal was spent with a 12 year old girl telling me, 'My friend, she is ten. Two men tonight. Mother, father sell. You come, you help. Please.' For this girl, a rescue home may be her only hope. Thus, the She Rescue Home was born."

Is it our responsibility to help the needy in our community or to save the world?

How many times have you heard 'think globally, act locally'?

There are a number of worth while local organisations that are changing the lives of people in Brisbane. Think Youngcare, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Research Foundation, RSPCA and there are many many more.

The mission of Youngcare is to 'provide a dignified and relevant lifestyle for young people requiring nursing care'. Youngcare has changed the face of nursing care, accommodating the needs of young people who are faced with disability and high-care needs. This organisation not only improves the lives of those who need 24-hour assistance, it enhances the lives of their families and friends. This is a community impacting and inspiring organisation.

Your time and money can go a long way when supporting any organisation. I feel the key, however, is TO support. Here are some organisations (local and global) that need the assistance of successful Babes in Business:

• Youngcare - www.youngcare.com.au
• Beyond Blue - www.beyondblue.org.au
• RSPCA - www.rspca.org.au
  
• She Rescue Home - www.citipointe.com.au
• RBWH Research Foundation - www.foundation.org.au
• Lord Mayor's Community Trust - www.lmct.org.au
• Starlight Foundation - www.starlight.org.au

For a more comprehensive list of charities within Brisbane, visit OurBrisbane.com.

Martha Maciejowski is a member of Babes in Business and a PR Consultant for KD Public Relations.

Martha Maciejowski PR Consultant KD Public Relations e martha@kdpr.com.au w www.kdpr.com.au