THE METAMORPHOSIS
By
Ernie D. Delfin
Newport Irvine Rotary Club
RE-EVALUATING HOW WE (USA) ASSIST OTHER PEOPLE AND NATIONS
As I am
writing this, CNN is reporting that almost
100,000 people have perished and hundreds of thousands more
are still missing in Haiti
due to a devastating 7.0 earthquake that hit this already poor island-nation. Amidst
this tragedy, however, it is heart-warming to see that many nations from the wealthy nations to the not so-rich nations of the world sending their volunteer army of soldiers, doctors and
nurses to help out in this horrific human tragedy. Much needed food, water, medicines and
clothing are reaching the country
everyday.
It is
quite noteworthy to know that Rotarians
are also involved in Haiti and have sent
those Shelter Boxes right away.
Many decent nations are instantaneously connected in their humanity in alleviating the inexplicable sufferings of the people of Haiti
and in its rehabilitation. A true human being is pleased to witness that global
help is freely and lovingly offered
without regard to the one’s color, creed or politics. Indeed, the world instantly became one magical “Small Village After All” in this global
humanitarian Service Above Self.
* **
Pondering
why Haiti
and many other countries in Latin
America and Asia, remain poor and impoverished despite the millions if not
billions of dollars being poured (doled out) by the United Nations, and other
wealthy nations, like America, however, forced
my inquisitive mind to ask a series
of why, why, why? The answers that came
out from my discernment made me sick and
quite mad for the lack of social justice! Simply because, oftener than not, millions upon
millions of dollars are siphoned by
corrupt leaders of many recipient
nations, including some unscrupulous
independent contractors who are “hired” to help rehabilitate the country being
helped. So much money has been lost due
to graft and corruption worldwide! This
phenomenon happened and still happening in Iraq, Afghanistan, Philippines, Pakistan,
Malaysia, Haiti and in many more poor countries. Even
the UN Food for Peace program was
riddled with corruption in the recent past!
With the
analogy of the “Tough Love” program for addicts and delinquent children in the
USA, how about requiring or exacting a
concrete system and policies be followed for every grant that is given to any
nation? Another strategy is to just financially support
with ample internal controls to enlarge the capacity and capability of many proven
global organizations like the Rotary International, and those advocacies founded or headed by the CNN HEROES who were profiled and honored the last couple of years! For instance, the CNN Hero of the Year, Efren
Penaflorida can do much more if given more
money, resources and management to spread his
literacy programs not only in the
Philippines where he is now a national
“hero” but the entire world!
Probably a
long term investment in a ‘human
development college” designed for future
leaders of these poor countries might be good idea?
My innate fear
is that despite the billions of dollars being poured unto Haiti, there will be no dramatic improvement of the peoples’ lives because the peoples’ paradigm, the political and economic structures, systems
and policies did not change and the status quo remains the name of game.
A more
radical approach, may be, is to just annex Haiti as our 5lst state, with the
positive referendum of its citizens and
approval of the USA. It will be cheaper and more beneficial for
America in the long run as it can also profit by developing the country by
just adopting our system of government, economic policies and infrastructures.
Comments, anyone?
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Email writer: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com
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