I spent the last 4 days in the absence of my parents at home with my younger brother, Khalid. My parents were away in Jeddah and Makkah for the lesser pilgrimage called Um'rah. While they were away, the resonsibility rested on us to run the house. The daily chores included not only cooking and washing up but holding the fort tight responsibly. I thought being an elder brother by 3 years I would be in charge. But a transition had taken place. My 'little' brother had grown up. He took care of everything and treated me like a VIP (at times I can behave like one too!) and also made the most tasty tuna I've probably ever had. He washed the dishes and made the beds. He laid the table and filled up the jugs. I couldn't believe it. That's because my kid brother was never so responsible.
Except for listening to a few chores for mom he was so spoilt and careless. But being away from home I had failed to connect with him over our short vacation meets. And meanwhile he had changed becoming more responsible. Suddenly he was no more the kiddo I knew. There was a hint of maturity slowly being etched. I was proud.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Child Poverty- Sabiha Syed
The following article was written by my cousin Sabiha from Cambridge, Canada as part of her school project. I love it not because it was written by a 13 year old but because the message sent across is in plain simple words and at the same time it's so expressive. Good job, Sabiha.
Child Poverty
Child poverty is one of the biggest issues in the world today. Children from all 
around the world are living on the street and eating from garbage dumps. Many kids walk on the street with little or no cloths at all. They work in factories or as servants to help there family earn money. Some children are living with AIDS and other diseases; they can’t get help because they can’t afford a doctor. Every second of their life is in danger! Every minute, around 10 children die due to poverty. That is why we need to help them.
There are many things that the government can do, like 2% of the taxes will go to stop child poverty. Something parents can do is sponsor a child. There are many organizations that let you sponsor a child like World Vision. Even though it doesn’t seem like a lot for us, it is for those kids.
We can also do a lot in school like have a food drive every month. We could also have a donation box where we can donate old cloths, toys and other items. We could also collect pennies from students, if every student gave one penny the in 1 day we would have collected forty dollars! We could also make backpacks in which we would put school supplies and send it to Africa, India and other countries where child poverty is common. If we start at our school, other schools would start to follow. And soon before you know it, all the schools in Canada would be doing what we started. And soon, hopefully we can decrease the amount of kids who are suffering from child poverty.
Children shouldn’t have to live like this. They should be able to live a life like us. While
we are here moaning because we didn’t get the latest i-Pod, or latest car, they are grateful that they found a slice of pizza or half a burger. They don’t care if it was from the dump or stepped on. As long as they have food they are happy. While we are here sleeping in our comfortable beds, they are there on the streets trying to sleep. And when they wake up they go looking for some way to earn money but as they do that, we are at school wishing we didn’t have to go. But these kids would do anything to go to school! We should consider us lucky; we have so much while they have so little.
If we take the stand, others will follow. And soon, if god wills child poverty will stop. And every child will live a life like us, they wouldn’t have to eat food from the garbage or sleep on the streets! If we all try, this dream can be fulfilled. It’s not impossible!!! We can change the world, we can make a difference!!!
around the world are living on the street and eating from garbage dumps. Many kids walk on the street with little or no cloths at all. They work in factories or as servants to help there family earn money. Some children are living with AIDS and other diseases; they can’t get help because they can’t afford a doctor. Every second of their life is in danger! Every minute, around 10 children die due to poverty. That is why we need to help them.There are many things that the government can do, like 2% of the taxes will go to stop child poverty. Something parents can do is sponsor a child. There are many organizations that let you sponsor a child like World Vision. Even though it doesn’t seem like a lot for us, it is for those kids.
We can also do a lot in school like have a food drive every month. We could also have a donation box where we can donate old cloths, toys and other items. We could also collect pennies from students, if every student gave one penny the in 1 day we would have collected forty dollars! We could also make backpacks in which we would put school supplies and send it to Africa, India and other countries where child poverty is common. If we start at our school, other schools would start to follow. And soon before you know it, all the schools in Canada would be doing what we started. And soon, hopefully we can decrease the amount of kids who are suffering from child poverty.
Children shouldn’t have to live like this. They should be able to live a life like us. While
we are here moaning because we didn’t get the latest i-Pod, or latest car, they are grateful that they found a slice of pizza or half a burger. They don’t care if it was from the dump or stepped on. As long as they have food they are happy. While we are here sleeping in our comfortable beds, they are there on the streets trying to sleep. And when they wake up they go looking for some way to earn money but as they do that, we are at school wishing we didn’t have to go. But these kids would do anything to go to school! We should consider us lucky; we have so much while they have so little.If we take the stand, others will follow. And soon, if god wills child poverty will stop. And every child will live a life like us, they wouldn’t have to eat food from the garbage or sleep on the streets! If we all try, this dream can be fulfilled. It’s not impossible!!! We can change the world, we can make a difference!!!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Hi there!
The going is good. By the Almighty's grace everything is on track. I'm working on something that is very close to my heart. When the right time comes, the cat will be out of the bag! I'm having a good time by the Almighty's mercy here in Riyadh. Meeting old friends, catching up on old times, enjoying good food and making sure Ramadan is not wasted. The fasts have rejuvenated me and I feel a lot better and refreshed. My migraine is under control too. I started working out too. I mean finally, yes I did! Those who know me might scoff but folks the gym beckons! Just thinking about the gym feels good. I hope I'm not lazy when I go back. Another few days and back to India. Talking about India, it reminds me of last week's blasts. My deepest curses as usual for the people who carried it out. Terror has no religion. The sooner people understand this the better it will help in bridging the gaps between different faiths. Now where am I going? I'm just too good at getting carried away. Or drift away.. Hmmm.. My friends say I write well but appear dumb. My previous post was commented on. Interesting I should say.. Makes me think actually. I'm dumb? Wow.. Maybe.. I've become rather very temperamental these days.. Like a smoking volcano which might erupt one fine day. The very thought makes me smile now. :)
I guess i should be going.. And sleeping. It's 8 in the morning and I haven't slept all night! Yawn yawn.. Cheers and a happy week ahead..
I guess i should be going.. And sleeping. It's 8 in the morning and I haven't slept all night! Yawn yawn.. Cheers and a happy week ahead..
Monday, September 08, 2008
Departure, Stopover and Home.
I'm back home after 11 months. Back to where it feels just perfect. Riyadh is special to me in a lot of ways. I cherish my time spent here and everything about this city is so fresh in my head. Like time always stood for me between my visits. They're basically two kinds of cities. One, that change so much that you can't recognise them on your next arrival and the other is the kind that stands still and almost nothing changes with time. Riyadh falls in the latter category. I love this city. Simply for the sheer fact that nothing ever changes here. It always feels the same. Home sweet home.
I left Bangalore on 4th early morning and reached Sharjah the same day for my 2 day break. Had a great time in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman etc. It was a road trip basically. The ones that happen when boys get together after ages. Met friends there and had a good time. They made sure every minute I spent in UAE was worth it. And it was.
After the fun I boarded a plane to Riyadh and arrived here in midst of summer. That's one thing about the middle east countries. The heat. You've to learn to live with it. There's no alternative. Sleep deprived, suffering from jet lag and body craving for rest, I hit the sack soon after reaching home from the airport. 14 hours and finally I felt at peace. I was home. I smiled in my dreams too.
I left Bangalore on 4th early morning and reached Sharjah the same day for my 2 day break. Had a great time in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman etc. It was a road trip basically. The ones that happen when boys get together after ages. Met friends there and had a good time. They made sure every minute I spent in UAE was worth it. And it was.
After the fun I boarded a plane to Riyadh and arrived here in midst of summer. That's one thing about the middle east countries. The heat. You've to learn to live with it. There's no alternative. Sleep deprived, suffering from jet lag and body craving for rest, I hit the sack soon after reaching home from the airport. 14 hours and finally I felt at peace. I was home. I smiled in my dreams too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)