My Memories of India

I lived in Kolkata, India, from when I was three to when I was six. My earliest memories are from that time. My parents were working with a local church over there and it was a very difficult time for them. But the memories of Kolkata that are the strongest and most important to me are from a trip back I took with my father when I was 10 (10 years ago). This is what I remember.

When we took taxi rides, we had the windows open because it was so hot. Everytime the taxi slowed or stopped, children's arms would reach through the windows, begging for money. There were many street people everywhere (kids, mothers, elderly). My dad and I gave some of them money, or loaves of bread, but the number of homeless people was so overwhelming it was impossible to help them all, even though they were all in extreme need. I would ask my dad to give money to this or that person who was begging us, and my dad would. My most vivid memory of this trip to Kolkata is of seeing an old man who was crippled and deformed, and could not walk, begging us for money. I remember thinking rationally "we shouldn't give money to him because he will probably die soon, we should save the money and give it to someone else" - and immediately after I thought that, I felt incredibly angry and frustrated that I had even had to make that choice. I thought: "I care. I live in the West. Why is it not enough that I care? For these people to get what they need most people in the West have to care. When will most people in the West really care?" No one should 'miss out' on what they need to live a comfortable, simple life. There is enough food and money in the world but it's distribution is far far from equal.

Not Charity, but Justice

Bono said: "This is not about charity, its about justice. Let me repeat that. This is not about charity, this is about justice. And thats too bad. Because you're good at charity". I agree with Bono! Doing everything we can to end global poverty is our responsibility! Charity is not enough to make us good people. We each have blood on our hands when we are living better than our (global) neighbours and don't question ourselves about it (eg. ask "what would Jesus be doing if he was me?") and try to live accordingly.