today is a gift

Saturday, January 20, 2007

we keep thinking that we're pathetic, poor, dumb, stupid. oh, my life is so unfair. oh, nobody understands my plight. oh, no one is there for me. blah. blah. blah. due to these freaking minds that we normally have, we tend to look over those people who are so much worst than us. those people who have been going through so much hardships and sufferings. the burdens on their shoulders are so heavy that we definitely have difficulty to carry them. however, we often ignore these people. we are selfish as we always look at ourselves. all those negativities about ourselves. we assume that we're the worst ones without thinking about those people who have endured so much of their hardships. i have to admit that i'm one of those selfish people.

i was reading a book which i've borrowed from the library. it's called iqbal. this book potrays the lives of the children in pakistan. and it is really true. frankly, i was shocked to learn about the practice of child labour in pakistan. and of course, there're other countries who exploit kids to slavery. only after i read the book did i feel so lucky being a singaporean. seriously, singaporean kids are lucky. ok, i know there're some unfortunate kids here like that boy who helped his mum to buy drugs. though, in overall we are lucky. yet, we spoilt brats are not grateful of the things that we owe. we always think it is not enough and we'll complain loudly to our folks "i want more!" but those poor pakistan kids. it's just so sad. seriously. these kids who are supposed to enjoy their childhood lives but not slaved themselves. it is described that they are really thin. everyday, in long hours, they've to spend time pulling knots again and again to work on a carpet. and definitely not a carpet a day. not only that, some have to build houses for the rich. and it is not easy. the sun is scorching hot. the breaks are very short. there're no proper, nutritious meals. the children are separated from their families. in the book, some even forget how their parents look like. these people live in such poverty. hence, they've to borrow money from the rich. as they take long time to pay off their debts, the rich claim that they can repay their debts by selling their kids and make them work with the rich. with hobson's choice and really desperate, the parents have to take such actions. a typical poor family is consisted of a farmer who earns very, very less, a housewife and kids. at least half of the kids frequently get sick. according to the book, the rich fool these poor ones. they take advantage of their authorities. the debts are never cancelled. they abuse the children. they make them work, work and work. if the kids fail to satisfy their employers, they'll be sent to this place called the tomb where they'll not eat or drink. there're lots of creepy crawlers and of course, the kids will get bitten. it is just so heartening. the kids work cracking their bones but the fat, rich, heartless people get the name. to make the matter worst, there're riots in the country and the politics are kinda corrupted. bribery is common. therefore, these fatties are able to get away. in spite of such horrible stuff, there's a liberation which fights for the children and is against child labour. but the ending is a grief one. iqbal, a boy who dares to speak up and fights for children's rights, is killed and it's believed that the carpet mafia murdered him. it's kinda expected.

what i learn from this book is that we must always be grateful of what we have. we thank God, parents and whoever. don't think that we're the worst as there're others who are so much worst than us. we can be selfish but to a certain extent. we must never forget to help and sympathise those poor ones. but what these poor people can do is to speak up. together. when more, if possible all of them, people help each other, those fatties can be down for. peace.

as i've mentioned, i'm set to go to poly and take up the courses in the health sciences. and i'd like to study in nanyang poly. really have to pray for my os. in addition, for the cca, i want to join the community service club. i just want to help the needy people. locally and globally.

rabiah♥11:25 PM