I’ve been wanting an outlet to blog again but I’ll have to admit it took volunteering to push me out of my slumber to really document what I’ve been learning since moving here.
Based on my experience since moving to the States, a lot of people in Asia seem to believe that life in the US is somehow more exciting or glamorous than where they’re at. There’s so much more shopping options, there’s more housing opportunities, there’s more jobs, there’s more good-looking people, there’s more fun night-life, there’s more fun food, etc etc basically the american dream is conjured up. It is true that in some parts of the US life is undeniably awesome, especially here in California. There are people so rich, they crash Ferraris as a hobby. There are people so rich that they send their children to high schools where one school year costs more than a college degree.
But the OC life is far from the life of a lot of people, and that lifestyle is not something I’m interested in glamorizing. Actually, on the contrary, I’ve met so many more people in need than I’ve ever had before since moving here. For the middle class at least, many people spend their lives working day in and day out just to make ends meet. And then there are many others whose lives are lacking and their needs not even documented. I hope to have a place to write down some of the things I learn, that I may never be complacent and become ungrateful for what I have, beyond that, that I may never become so jaded as to ever look down on others who are less fortunate. One day, I hope that my voice and words will make a difference to the lives of those who need a huge difference in their lives.
I’m not in any way trying to attack the government, because in fact I am really amazed at how much help the government gives the poor here; the amount of help and the aid given to the needy here far exceeds both Singapore and Malaysia, where I’ve lived. I’ll never forget what someone told me once, “Don’t worry, no one here will grow hungry or lack education.” I’m overwhelmed by the number of non-profits who give relentlessly to those in need, and by number of plans and policies in terms of housing, healthcare, education, etc. But I cannot deny that even the best of these are insufficient sometimes because of structural barriers, or because of lack of education, family history and problems, lack of support, discrimination or just because it’s still tough. At the end of the day, it’s still difficult for the disadvantaged to fight against those who are advantaged.
Nevertheless, there are many who fight against hope. There are many determined to overcome the barriers, and there are many who say no to despair. It is not that they are unaware of what’s going on. I was surprised to hear many young immigrants voice their awareness of being discriminated against because of where they come from. Yet I was even more surprised, but proud, that they would want to bridge the gap. That they would want to tell people about their lives so that they would understand.
Today, I learnt that we should be so grateful that we grew up with technology readily available, or within most young people’s reach. Cos I had taken for granted that young people are naturally good with computers and such. But it’s because of early exposure. It’s a privilege. Many young teens who have not have that same privilege struggle with what we accept as ‘basic technology’, simply because of lack of exposure. Let’s not take that for granted.
And so my heart has been awakened again, to the voice of the Father who loves, and who gently calls us to love, too. Without knowing it beforehand, I find myself beginning to be sure that this is His call for me, to learn how to help those who need help, to help them grow and become strong and self-sustainable, and to know that there are those who will love them. God I pray that you will help me love them like you do.
