I was watching a CNN segment on Oprah's new school in South Africa. She was talking about being criticised for giving African girls something 'too nice'. It is not a charitable institution. It is a school that compares with the best amenities and structures and education in the best schools of the world. It is a school I would be proud to send my son to.
Oprah said something very beautiful on the segment, "These girls come from deprived circumstances, but deprived circumstances are everywhere. But their country is beautiful, the land is beautiful, and they live off the beauty of the land. I want these girls to understand that circumstances can be overcome given the opportunity."
I sent around an SMS to a few close friends saying how much I'd like to do that someday in India too. To give, not out of charity, but out of a sense of being an instrument of giving.
A few, with much money, power and influence, have offered to help, if I can get a movement going. I'm grateful for what I see as a great opportunity to move mountains and make a change. But I don't know how.
I humbly request anyone who can participate, make a change, take the ball from me and keep it rolling, to please do so. If you're the fire and the fuel to this spark, I request you to keep it going.
If you have the money, the infuence, the circle of reach, the ability, the know how... please see what we can do to make a difference.
In the meanwhile, I leave you with this....
(Khalil Gibran - 'Of Giving' from The Prophet)
And is there aught you would withhold?
All you have shall some day be given;
Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors'.
You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
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