10 things a scammer taught me!
Hello there!
Well I have to begin by saying I never expected to have anything to do with scammers, let alone learn anything from them – but life is full of interesting turns and deadends and this last 6 months have proved to be enlightening.
Now I am not sure if I am a prime target because I run this blog or that I (like millions of other men and women) have been exploring the internet dating scene – and maybe it is a combination of both.
The internet has changed how we relate to others. Many of the natural barriers we would experience with each other are removed and when you make allowances for differences in cultural upbringing it is a ripe place for lies, subterfuge and manipulation.
In this blog I am being totally honest. My reason to do this is I can speak from first hand experience of being ’scammed by a sweetheart’ – the official title for relationship scams. The $$$ amount is unimportant here although it was a substantial amount for someone who did not have much financially to begin with!
The number of men and women who are being hustled over the internet is increasing exponentially as people deal with the fallout of the global economic meltdown. There were always traditional hotspots for scams – Africa, Russia and parts of Asia but today you can expect a scam from any part of the world.
Do not assume because you are talking to a nice, educated doctor in the UK, that that is really who he is. Scam artists are getting cleverer. They read the lastest books on dating advice and the psychology of relationships and they use this information to perfect their scams. The good ones are much subtler than the obvious ‘I need money and I am in a difficult situation’ and because they are – they are more success.
Another thing you need to be aware of is that they have infinite patience to lure their ’sting’ – that’s you , by the way, the unsuspecting chump who is going to be done!
Now I can hear from here your thoughts as you read my words and say ‘Oh! But that would never happen to me!’ and all I can say was that 6 months ago I was you!
So what have the scammer taught me?
1) It’s no good crying over spilled milk.
If you have been done – accept it and find the positives in the situation. The worst thing you can do is let the situation keep you as a victim. You will get done again!
2) You found out who they were BEFORE you had them in your life.
Yes- it may not seem a positive, but it surely is – ask those men and women who have had pathological partners in their lives and the ruination they have caused! If you’ve been scammed over the internet and you have give your money to the scammers technically you have not been robbed (even though you will feel like it!). But when you catch on and refuse to give them more they usually leave you alone.
3) Find comfort in the fact you know the truth.
Yes, you have been fed a pack of lies and been manipulated, your bank balance is lower and your heart hurts BUT you are still alive and you will get over this.
4) Celebrate your heart has grown.
It must have mustn’t it because you are feeling pain, hurt, disillusion and disappointment? These are all signs the heart has expanded and is now shrinking back on itself. Don’t give the scammer the satisfaction of winning in this as well. Keep your heart open inspite of this set back.
5) Celebrate your learning.
If you’ve never met a scammer before – how will you know how to deal with one? This is new information, new learning. You are not as innocent as before and the learning will help you protect yourself better in the future as a result.
6) Be willing to deal with the underlying issue.
You have had a wake up call. Most of us allow ourselves to go through being scammed because of loneliness. Accept this is what the problem is and get some help to overcome it. If you face the issues that make you vulnerable and find ways of coping with them you will not be in a position to be manipulated by your feelings again. This is empowerment and probably the most important lesson of the whole situation.
7) Be grateful.
Be willing to make a list of all the things in your life you can be grateful for. It helps put the whole sorry mess into perspective and allow you to move forward. It allows you to see this as just an experience, not something that has ruined your life.
Be willing to love you more than another. Yes – it has to be said – some of us love others better than we love ourselves. Use this event to empower your self love and you will be able to see the whole situation as a blessing – where does that put the scammer then – as the insect s/he is!
9) Be willing to grow your resilience and inner strength.
You can let this situation keep you locked into victim-hood or you can use it to become a better and stronger you. Many years ago I was faced with a life or death situation that enabled me to make a choice to live. I have not forgotten that lesson.
Living means we roll with the highs and lows. If you have not watched martial arts or boxing – do so. You will see that rather than stand firm when the blow comes, the receiver moves back with the impact and so lessens its strength. Living life in the same way means we are strong in the forward movement and graceful in the side steps. We dance the moving carpet that is life.
10) For the future – Plan to give your hard earned money to a charity.
A charity will use your money appropriately and make you feel good about yourself rather than giving it to a scammer who robs you of satisfaction and happiness.
and a bonus tip!
11) Get even.
You may need to follow through on this in a legal way. There are companies that will investigate the legitimacy of your scammer and give you a detailed report. For myself I have spent enough on the scammer I do not need to spend more to know they are a scammer. It is more important to me to get myself back.
A healthy vibrant woman who is willing to love and learn is a much better success story than having confirmed what you already know – your sweetheart is a scammer – don’ t you think?
Wishing you a successful internet experience and much love and happiness as a result….
Till next time,
Melody
Counting a Cup of Coffee
Hello there
Well I’ve been counting my cups of coffee.
As of today I have put aside AUD444.00
This is equal to one and a half computers.
I am excited that my dream of making a difference is happening cup of coffee by cup of coffee!
This Easter Weekend I have given up Easter eggs and put the money to the cause.
After all Easter eggs do me little good and imaging a smiling happy face of a child with a computer in front of her so that she might learn is much more satisfying.
Easter – a time for thanks, forgiveness, compassion and giving.
Seems to me a perfect time for One Laptop One Child Foundation to get some giving too. If you feel the urge to celebrate you blessings in this way you can contact www.laptop.org to find out what to do.
Till next time
Peace. Blessings and Laptops
Melody
The Boat of Life!
Hello there!
My apologies for not blogging here for some time. I have been busy with living.
The ‘boat of life’ I live in has had some serious storm weather to contend with and I have been trying to get my boat to a safe harbour.
The harbour is within me – not without.
Although the stormy conditions have been externally generated not internally, it is my inner response to them that has caused the choppy weather!
It would appear because I run this blog and I am willing to aid others with my skills and talents that I have become a prime target for scammers.
These professional and highly skilled con artists have been working very hard to undermine my willingness to aid others by trying to get in on the action.
They have not been successful, nor will they EVER be successful in any way that matters.
I will not give up my desire to be of service in my small and seemingly insignificant way of helping young people of developing nations get an education through www.onelaptop.org
While our current global economic crisis is a ripe breeding ground for fear and inappropriate behaviours it is also the place where many wonderful acts of generosity and giving are being taken daily by unsung and unknown heros and heroines, who are making a difference in the communities they live in.
At times like this is it easy to think that we will lose our humanity, our generosity, our love of humankind – but history teaches us that it is at these times of adverity and hardship that we as human beings shine the brightest.
Please remember it is the smallest acts of kindness, thoughtfulness and love that make the greatest change.
Should you find it within your power to help a child of a developing nation get an education, please do not hesitate to contact: www.onelaptop.org.
I know there will be gratitude at your generosity.
Till next time
Melody
Keeping Focus
Hello there
As many of you know there have been terrible bushfires and floods throughout Australia over the last few weeks and all focus has been on those.
While there will be many weeks, months and years of work to get towns rebuilt – Australians are good at getting on with the work and getting the job done.
It is easy when one faces adversity to forgot our commitments that we made in times of peace and prosperity. Our world has changed a lot in the last few months, financially and environmentally.
Although I have not had much time to devote to this blog as a result, please know that I have not forgotten my commitment to the children of developing nationals and the OLPC Foundation.
I am still squirrelling away my caffe lattes every day although the current exchange rate is making the original cost a bit more expensive that first imagined!
Wouldn’t it be great to have a completely different rate fo exchange for not-for-profit purchasing?
A set rate of exchange because what you are purchasing is for the benefit of others?
I know!! – I hear the businessmen and women going -’ What are you mad?’
But I am just thinking of ways to aid our world family, our children of the world.
If you haven’t helped anyone in a while and are feeling the urge – check out www.laptop.org
Till next time,
The children are our future – you can help – one child at a time!
Melody
Bushfires and Catastrophes
Hello there
Well as some of you know, our nations has been reeling under the onslaught of massive flooding in North /Queensland and bushfires in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.
While it is Mother Nature weilding the storms that have caused flooding and in some cases the heatwave that caused some bushfires there were other fires that were deliberately lit.
The devestation has been immense. Many feel impotent to help at times like this even if they wish to. There are ways to help and this letter from Liz Tilly explains what can be done. Liz was a survivor of the recent devastating fires in Canberra and so she is aware first hand of what needs to be done and what is considered a lifeline in such circumstances. While this is a long letter – I hope you will read it. It is relevant to many disasters world wide and is worth keeping on file for other times and other people.
Till next time, stay safe
Melody
A GREAT RELIEF by Liz Tilley, Canberra
9 February 2009
As a survivor of the January 2003 firestorm in Canberra, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones, homes, pets, and a lifetime of memories in the tragic Victorian fires.
As I sit watching TV news coverage, with my heart racing and my body shaking slightly as I remember the fear, the flames, the heat, the smoke and the knowledge that I would probably not get out alive; I also remember in the days, weeks and months after the fires what support we needed and valued.
The victims of the Victorian fires are coping with the loss of homes, possession, pets and property as well as trying to cope with immense grief.
A great relief effort is one that is based on the experiences of previous disaster situations, and yet, after the Canberra bushfires, we were so often ‘re-inventing the wheel’.
I just can’t bear to see those victims in Victoria not benefit from what we learned in Canberra.
While the aid agencies will swing into action, and do what they do best, and the State and Federal government put their disaster planning into action, how can the Australian public, and the Victorian Relief Effort, help in the best way possible?
What the surviving victims need, both in terms of donations, and physical and emotional support comes will come in phases. Of course, the first weeks after the fire, in the immediate post trauma phase, these needs will be different from what they will need in six, 12 months or two years time.
So, for what it’s worth, here are my tips for a “great” relief:
Notes to the general public
Donate cash. Every little bit counts. If every person in Australia donated just five dollars, imagine what a difference it would make.
Basic essentials. Please only donate things that are new or of good quality. Don’t slow down the relief effort by having the team receiving the donations in Victoria have to sort through linen, clothing or manchester that is soiled, torn, buttons missing or otherwise damaged in any way. Better to donate one item that is new or in good condition rather than several things that you don’t wear anymore because they’re too out of fashion, have broken zips or are stained. Similarly with bed linen, towels, blankets etc, only donate what is good quality or new.
Think of all the things you need every day—pyjamas, toothbrush, toothpaste, face washer, soap, toiletries bag, deodorant, hairbrush, comb, shampoo, clothes suitable for work, casual clothes, belt, shoes, socks, watch, hair ties, wallet, handbag, keyring, hat, sunscreen, etc. These people have nothing. While they will receive immediate assistance in the form of cash and gift vouchers from charitable organisations for major retail outlets, I remember that every day there was something I needed and didn’t have. Within the first few days we needed notepads and pens just to deal with the paperwork and the insurance company.
Needs change over time, as people move into temporary accommodation they will need cooking utensils, pots, pans, plates, cups, bowls, kitchen knives, furniture, TVs, beds….the list is endless.
Cold weather will come in another month or two and winter clothes will be needed at this time – warm tops, coats, hats and scarves. Blankets, electric blankets and heaters will also be needed. I distinctly remember the day the weather suddenly turned cold in Canberra and no-one in the family had a warm top to wear.
Kits
If you’re thinking of what else to give, put together a first aid kit for the home, or an office kit (containing sticky tape, scissors, notepads, pens, stapler etc), or a toiletry bag (with toothpaste, toothbrush, nail scissors, shampoo, etc), or a make-up kit with make-up, eye make-up remover, lip gloss, mascara etc), or a hair care kit for a child with a brush, hair ties etc, or a sports kit for a child (drink bottle, hat, lunchbox, sunscreen, soccer ball), a kitchen kit (mixing bowls, cookbooks, cooking utensils, a good sharp knife, etc,), a tool kit (hammer, nails, screwdrivers, hacksaw etc), a present kit (birthday cards, wrapping paper, sticky tape, pens, ribbon) – these will be much appreciated.
Make something. Some of our most treasured items are the ones that were made, with love, by complete strangers. The quilt that was one of the hundreds that arrived from all over Australia, the hand-knitted rugs that my children like to snuggle under in winter. If you make jewellery, make a few pairs of earrings or a necklace. If you make toys, make something for the children who have lost theirs. If you knit, make a winter scarf. If you sew, make some table placemats or a beautiful table runner. If you’re an artist, paint a picture or frame a drawing.
I still find it incredibly moving that people cared enough to put time and love into making something that has now become a new family treasure for us.
Grow something. Those that remain, and those that decide to rebuild, face a blackened, denuded landscape. If you live in within reasonable distance of the bushfire area, pot some some seedlings and start growing some vegetation to help rejuvenate the gardens that were lost. Contact your local nursery, land care or conservation group to see what vegetation is drought resistant and/or native to the area. In Canberra, a very successful Garden Regeneration Scheme was set-up by volunteers and in the two-year period after the fires, they helped many, many people re-landscape their gardens. To see green, to see new growth, when we returned to our rebuilt home, was not only beautiful but gave us hope that we too could recover.
Kids. My three children were young at the time of the fires, so I remember well how grateful I was when we received toys, colouring-in books, pencils and textas, craft items, DVDs, books to read and pushbikes.
Friends and acquaintances. If you know personally know someone who was affected, every little gesture of help and support helps. Bake some biscuits or a meal and drop it around to them, offer to put their washing on the line, offer to do their supermarket shopping, offer to mind their kids. I remember feeling so overwhelmed and so busy answering phone calls and organising basic survival that I simply didn’t have time or energy to cook meals, wash, clean and do all the other things that keep a family going—this went on for months.
This help will be invaluable in coming weeks and months.
Notes to Victorian Disaster Relief Organisers
Counselling.
Don’t sit the counsellors in a room at the recovery centres where people have to go to them. These victims are in shock and running on adrenalin. The women will usually talk about it, the men won’t. Men seldom seek out emotional assistance or counselling. Often the men will hold it all inside and release it in anger or violence a few days, weeks, months or years down the track. Years on from the fires, women were saying that their husbands “didn’t talk about it” and were withdrawn or showing signs of depression.
Put the counsellors and social workers in the field. Get them to go and help the men sort through the burnt out remainders of their homes. Get them to go to the pubs and clubs where the men are congregating. Get them to be there when the bulldozers move in to flatten what little remains of people’s homes. Often people just want someone to listen and to tell them that what they are experiencing is ‘normal’ under the circumstances.
Get the social workers to be there to act as advocates when victims have to deal with public servants, banks, and government officials in the next few weeks. Some of the victims will have literally lost their identities – they will have no wallet, no identification, no bank details. They will have to deal with insurance companies and government agencies. People working in these institutions don’t have training as social workers, and often are under increased stress themselves. I can’t tell you the number of victims who were coping pretty well up until they had to deal with a bank or other institution who were either obstructive or unable to assist because ‘our computer system won’t let me’.
Buddy system
Our children’s school (Orana School for Rudolf Steiner Education) instituted a ‘buddy system’ for the families from school that lost their homes. This was a fantastic system that could be adapted for use in any disaster situation. Hundreds of people were phoning, dropping into our temporary accommodation and offering help, but it was so overwhelming. People kept asking “What do you need” and it was very hard to say “Everything”. Our buddy removed this stress so that when people asked “what do you need?” or “What can I do?”, we referred them to our buddy. She had a huge list and would determine if we needed towels, cutlery, an ironing board, a fridge—and let people chose what they wanted to donate or buy. My husband rented an empty house and then went up to Sydney to collect me and the three children. When we returned to Canberra four days later, we returned to a fully set-up house complete with beds, lounges, toys for the kids, bed linen, towels—to the level of detail of waste paper baskets, scissors in the drawers and pot plants. I find it hard to express our deep gratitude for this amazing coordination of assistance.
Women’s networks
As well as dealing with trauma, pain and grief, women have to look after the needs of their family. This can mean they put their own needs last.
My greatest sources of support and friendship was a small group of women bound by the fact that our children all attended the same school and we all lost our homes. We started meeting for coffee a few weeks after the fires and, six years on, we still meet regularly for lunch. We call ourselves The Singed (as in “slightly burnt”) Sisterhood.
I don’t know how I would have got through the last six years without these wonderful women who have now become close friends.
Getting women together in an informal way allows them to support each other and share their stories. In the months to comes, as the victims are spread across the State, they will need avenues in which to come together and discuss what they, and their families, are going through. There is enormous comfort in knowing you are not alone.
Communication
The victims of the fires will be spreading across the State, and in some cases interstate, to stay with relatives and friends. It is vital that all victims stay connected to the network of aid that will be coming their way in the following weeks, months and years.
While I know a database of victims is currently being compiled, it is imperative that this database is updated as victims move from temporary accommodation into rental accommodation and then decide to either rebuild, buy or rent indefinitely.
Wonderful companies will donate goods and services, or offer wholesale or discounted goods. In the next 12 months to two years, as victims decide to rebuild, buy another home or rent, they will need to access these.
People who move interstate will not have access to the assistance and counselling on offer – they need to be tracked and supported. A friend of mine really struggled as she moved to Sydney and did not have anyone to talk with who had gone through the experience, she also missed out on most of the donations, assistance and counselling available in the period after the fires.
Often, those that had immediate help, staying in fully-furnished homes, or with friends or family for extended periods, miss out on some assistance in the immediate phase because they don’t need it, however this puts them at a disadvantage further down the track in a few months time, when this accommodation ceases and they then have to begin again with nothing. The aid will need to be ongoing.
Not everyone will have access to a computer, certainly not in the first few weeks, or even months. Post information to people – mail can be forwarded or passed on.
Shopping centres. Everyone needs to shop – particularly if you’ve lost everything. Distribute newsletters updating victims and survivors on what is happening and what help they can access via shopping centres around the State. Libraries, government offices, community centres, cultural and religious centres can also distribute the newsletters.
These newsletters can also inform members of the public how they can help.
Mobile phone bills
Most of us faced enormous mobile phone bills after the fires. In the weeks and months after the fires, our mobiles were our lifeline—to friends, family, work, the insurance company, to everything. In the weeks after the fires, I used my mobile more than I ever have in my life. In the months after the fires, when we were already under huge stress, we had to pay huge mobile phone bills.
At the time of the Canberra fires, I was not aware of any mobile phone providers who took this into consideration by negating or reducing mobile phone bills for victims (I would love to be proved wrong on this).
Survivors
Consider the survivors, who did not lose their homes so have to return to a devastated community. Please don’t keep saying to them “Well, at least you didn’t lose your house”. They are going through such mixed emotions after losing friends and neighbours, that they may have mixed emotions about being ‘spared’.
They have to return to the devastated landscape and try and rebuild their lives. Their children will play in ash and dirt, the amount of dust and debri flying through the air is unbelievable. They will spend the next year or so cleaning constantly and yet everything will still remain covered in a layer of fine ash and dust. They won’t be able to hang clothes on the line because they come in dirtier than when they went out. These seem like insignificant things, but when these things happen after a tragedy such as this, when you’ve lost friends and neighbours,and your support networks have gone, they make a very traumatic situation even more stressful. In the weeks to come, donations of play equipment, sandpits, soil, plants and trees will be much needed and appreciated.
Asbestos
Some of the homes burnt may contain asbestos. Asbestos fibres explode under intense heat. If the home was built before 1984 it is likely some asbestos would be in the wet areas (bathrooms and laundries and some kitchens) and the eaves. If these sheets have been broken up, small amounts of asbestos fibre would have been released. While some asbestos is present in some of the dust and ash from destroyed homes, the levels are not high and the large size of the asbestos fibres released from asbestos sheets means there is only a very low risk of it causing disease. (refer to www.health.act.gov.au and put in ‘asbestos’ under search)
So, the risk IS low, but there is still some risk. So reduce this risk, and the risk of dust inhalation, by providing dust masks with filters and sturdy gloves to those who want to sort through the burnt remains of their homes and belongings.
Note to the Victims
Learn to receive
Most of us are great at giving help, but many people find it difficult to accept help. Take the help when it is offered and don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. For many people it can be incredibly hard to do this. While at the moment you have no choice but to accept help, it may be hard to keep accepting help months and years down the track. But you need to allow family, friends, and the wider community to give. It will make you stronger and, years from now, will be an incredible insight into what others need in times of trauma—because you’ve been there and you understand. The only way you can truly learn to help others is by accepting help yourself when you need it.
Community
When a disaster strikes, we are reminded of the amazing generosity, kindness and compassion of others. Humans have an incredible capacity to help others in times of need. I am forever grateful to the friends, relatives, work colleagues, acquaintances and strangers who did what they could to help us in the weeks, months and years after the fires.
No matter how small the gesture, it was appreciated. One friend gave me her copy of a cookbook she knew I used all the time and I bless her every time I open that book to thumb its familiar pages. A woman who worked with my husband knew that he had bought me some pearl earrings as a present before the fires, so she gave me her favourite pearl earrings as a gift, and I bless her every time I wear them. Another friend’s son gave my son his cricket bat and ball, and I bless him every time I see the boys playing outside. A friend and former work colleague of my husband’s donated furniture, a TV and cooking utensils, and I bless her every day.
At times, despite everything, I felt buoyed by the support of all these people, by knowing they cared. And now, six years on, I still feel an enormous faith in the human spirit, our ability to survive, and the compassion and generosity we can offer each other.
Lessons from the past to be used now….
Hello there
New Scientist this month has an interesting article on the human herd mentality – and how we can be conditioned to belong to the group.
My proposition is this -
If we were to harness that energy to live in peace
think how much money would be available globally
to spend on education, building communities,
feeding our world and joining in peaceful creativity..
It is mind – blowing isn’t it?
Why does our ‘auto copy’ wiring to our peers have to be connected to negative behaviour?
Let’s start a new trend – let’s wire ourselves to actions of peace and raise funds for the OLPC Foundation to give children in developing nations a chance at education.Let’s be the new peer group – Global Educational Mentors for children everywhere.
You know what to do by now… Check out http://laptop.org
Till next time
Peace, education and laptops
Melody
Drought and Coffee Challenges
Hello there
Recent reports from humanitarian agency Oxfam International states:
‘ A recent United Nations crop assessment found that at least six areas of eastern Ethiopia have seen a near total crop failure because of inadequate rainfall. The UN also announced that the country wide drought is likely to continue well into 2009.’
In Australia we are also fighting droughts in various parts of the country plus an unprecedented heatwave and now bushfires that have destroyed peoples homes and lives.
Only 2 of many places in the world where education is disrupted by disaster and where time, effort and money needs to be applied to get changes happening.
As yet I have not mentioned the financial crisis currently sweeping the world and when we add it to this mix of human misery it seems overwhelming doesn’t it?
We can become atrophied in overwhelm and non action or we can breathe in and out to release the feelings and ask:
What can I do? What commitment can I make?
Who can I join forces with to make the world a better place?
There are so many ways you can make a difference.
It may not be my passion for educating all through the www.laptop.org program and that is perfectly ok.
If you make sure that your passion is reflected in your choice of charity, it will keep your commitment to the forefront and create the action you need to take.
For me I am grateful even though it is too hot to drink coffee, I still have cool clear water. I am blessed by this.
And my bank account for the One Laptop Per Child Foundation (OLPC) www.laptop.org is growing steadily.
Till next time
Peace, love and sustanance for all.
Melody
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Why am I doing this?
Hello there
I have been asked why I am setting up the 2009 Cup of Coffee Challenge to raise funds and awareness of the One Laptop Per Child Organisation (OLPC – www.laptop.org ).
Do I have an ulterior motive?
Yes I do!
Firstly I am a mother.
I have been greatly blessed to have had a child to raise so that he might take his place in the society we live in and contibute to its wealth and wellbeing. In February he reaches 17.
His life is before him and he has been lucky enough to be educated in Australia with a mixed heritage that has given him a unique and rich loam on which to develop his soul.
Secondly I am an educator and influencer.
I have worked within the education system, I have taught English as a second language, music and theatre as a life long passion and am currently working in the field of career development and transition.
I understand and am passionate about the benefits of education and its universal application to foster a space of peace in the world.
Thirdly, I wish to make a difference.
If my purse were bigger I would put in more, but like many it is small and my contribution must be counted in what money I can spare and the time I have to utilise my other gifts (i.e. my writing skills and point of view) to its cause.
Fourthly, I am a world citizen.
I was born in a country different from my current home. Australia is my third country of adoption.
My friends come from all around the world and also live all over the world. My focus and my community is both global and local.
Through the internet my reach is global and individual.
I am mother and educator to one and many and every child in the world has the capacity to be touched and benefit from an individual they know not.
My question is not - why am I doing this?
My question is – why ever not am I doing this?
For me the choice is already. For you the choice may still need to be made.
Your reasons may be different from mine and this is perfectly ok. Your reasons are your own.
All I ask is take action. Make a difference to a young life and the nation they inhabit.
Give them and their nation the opportunity to have wealth and wellbeing
Our world will benefit and thank you.
You are offering your support to a child and you are laying a foundation to peace.What better reason is there than this?
Till next time,
Peace, Optimism and Action
Melody
Australia Day – 26 January 2009
Hello there
Today is the day Australia celebrates its nationhood.
For millions of Australians it is the day the first fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788.
We are a country of migrants, with people coming from more than 200 countries across the world.
We are also here on this land as guests of the indigenous peoples – where there are as many indigenous tribes as there are nations that have migrated here.
For the indigenous peoples the 26 January marks a day of mourning and invasion as many of their ancestors were slaughtered as a result of the first settlement and subsequent settlements thereafter.
How long does it take for a nation to overcome the pain and guilt of its beginnings?
Each colonised country of the world suffers these pains.
I have lived in New Zealand and now Australia and seen the impact of colonisation first hand.
I have no answer, other than to say:
- we need to acknowledge the wrongs
- listen and support our fellow peoples through their grief
- work together to build strong outcomes that satisfy our different needs
- respect each other
- educate our youth in the truth of their heritage
- make sure that no such colonisation, or stolen generation programs happen again
Education plays such an important part in nationhood.
It begins with educating our children, where ever they may be in the world.
www.laptop.org is a great place to start that process for developing nations.
If you are a parent gift your child the opportunity to know others like themselves – children of other parts of the world needing an education and the tools to deliver that.
You have the web address. You know what to do.
Happy Nationhood Day for Australia.
Happy Education Day for the world.
Peace, optismism and education for all.
Melody
