I take it back

Oh dear, not so nice New Zealand...

Random Acts of Kindness

Ohhh...I always knew NZ was a nice place to live, now its confirmed...

"So what is National R.A.K. Day? It's as simple as Random Acts of Kindness. Taking the attention off self and being kind to someone else through a Random Act of Kindness, where you're not seeking credit or something in return.
The idea has been around for awhile, but the concept of making it a New Zealand National Day was brought to fruition over coffee between Marshall Gray and Josh de Jong mid 2004 who felt it was time Kiwi's had a day they could focus on doing something great others ~ without the retail pressure! A day where you could ‘R.A.K.' a family member, a friend.... or a complete stranger by shouting them coffee, mowing their lawn, giving them flowers or even something as simple as visiting the many lonely elderly or sick around our country!"

Darfur, Sudan

A friend working for UNICEF sent me the following email, a small NGO (on the ground) making a difference, its these small projects you don't often hear about which give you confidence about the positive effects of 'development' and foreign aid.

"I had gone to visit a Tearfund office in a little town, which runs children’s health clubs which we support (a tiny bit) because they also provide much-needed psychosocial and recreational activities for children. I remember you asked me once about Tearfund activities in Darfur. I was mightily impressed, both by the activities and the people running them! It really was a rewarding visit – to see people doing amazing things with communities, and without pouring obscene amounts of money and materials into the community…instead by simply spending time with them, mobilising them, and building their capacity. To be honest it was one of the most inspirational visits I’ve made – I came away with a natural high – to see the activities and the impact they are having on children, and the dedication and commitment of the team. One evening I stood and watched as thousands of children suddenly appeared from huts and villages and fields to converge on a health club, where they listened to stories, watched puppet shows, sang, and played games. And the benefits are amazing – the children are CLEAN! Quite an unusual sight in Darfur! Anyhow, I’m gushing, but that’s the effect of my visit. "

Women in power...on the elections

"New Zealand is a country that is proud of its history of equality towards women. Its universities were awarding degrees to women in the 1870s, while it was the first country to adopt universal suffrage back in 1893. Its last two prime ministers have been women - including the incumbent, Helen Clark - while women also occupy the top spots in the other branches of government, as governor-general and the chief justice of the New Zealand supreme court. In that light it comes as a surprise to learn that some there still think women are unsuited to the rough and tumble of political life. And it is even more of a surprise that this idea should come from the leader of New Zealand's main opposition party in the run-up to next month's general election"

More.