The Direct Help

Many humanitarian institutions like Plan International (Australia) and World Vision (Australia) are working towards improving the lives of millions all over the world, especially, in developing countries. Their service is direct to people in terms of helping them manage their daily lives, also in times of wars, disasters, and calamities. It is a similar situation, to where doctors, nurses, and paramedics provide direct help to their patients. Think of a child: when a child cries, the first thing mother would try to know, does her child need milk?

The welfare of people improves, when….

The system itself knows what people want, and when they want it. The welfare of any society improves, when society (or the system) itself knows what people want, and when they want it. Time is a factor in this case. For example, in some sort of unforeseen catastrophe, governments of all countries try to help immediately to overcome the problem. The ultimate requirement becomes the immediate requirement during floods, earthquakes, and in situations of drought. Governments at all levels are vigilant to re-establish their citizens both economically and emotionally restoring their confidence, many people participating in saving and re-allocating people in need.

These non-governmental institutions, also know that, millions of children in many countries have no food, clothing, shelter, and medication, therefore, they persistently help countries in need. Their community service plays an important role in the development of a country. It is one of the aspects where human beings, without seeking economic rewards, help various institutions and individuals. This gives them immense happiness and satisfaction when they see their counterparts progressing. This progress can be in the field of administration, teaching, health and care, environment, or political arena. The objectives are similar, making our world beautiful in terms of care and sensitivity. Many organizations have formally structured themselves for making economic contribution. However, the hidden services of volunteers are beyond economic rewards; their immense help is acknowledgeable.

These institutions also directly help migrants and newcomers to work in their offices to improve their communication skills, confidence, and understandings of work ethics and procedures, which many other big institutions like hospitals may not allow such people to work voluntarily. According to ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics), over 4.5 million Australians over the age of 18 volunteered for NPIs (Non-profit institutions) in 2006-2007. The most people volunteered for culture and recreation, followed by social services. Volunteers, not only help institutions in these fields in terms of increased production and services which they volunteer for, but also improve their own chances of getting paid work through better learning and experience. Some of these volunteers after initial training get job in the same institution for which they worked, or find suitable jobs elsewhere. They are into the process of building nations as their way of contribution. Religious places: temples and churches also play a positive role in alleviating elevating human sufferings. It costs nothing: nothing is free in this world. All economic goods and resources have a price on them. Only voluntary services are free. We respect their services graciously.

But …

Unless and until all countries manage their resources appropriately towards the creation of paid employment and better wages for those paid low wages, their living standards will not improve to their best level. Australians are not responsible for mismanagement of resources or poverty of people in other countries. We are responsible for mismanagement of resources in our country. How many people get sick due to smoking and alcohol? All families, including countries, have a responsibility to look after their members; voluntary help is always readily available.

All systems – capitalism, socialism, and mixed economies, have existed simultaneously, yet, hunger and deprivation remain unresolved. We might blame economic systems, but there are limits to planning and using resources appropriately for the betterment of the society. Do people in socialist countries smoke, drink, and gamble? Do Socialist countries sell extra goods (above quota production) in black markets (in streets)? Do socialist countries participate in war and produce war goods? Do socialist countries have poor (or middle class) people? Do they have pollution and crime? Do they face financial crises? We need to have a better allocation of resources towards humanity. This might be far away from realities, but we may keep trying to overcome poverty and hunger – grim realities of life in all countries.

International non-governmental organizations like Plan International and World Vision are playing their constructive role. Nevertheless, countries are expected to have a good wage and employment policy to overcome hunger and deprivation of their people. Much praise goes to those who work directly at the grass root levels to overcome the state of poverty. These are hidden community members of any society; providers of voluntary service to achieve a status of an egalitarian society whereby all people could have food, clothing, shelter, education, health care, and leisure. Nevertheless, in time, all able-bodied volunteers should be directed to paid employment, so that, they could spend their youth and life in looking after their family members and initiate a timely family life while earning. It is important. We need to balance the resources directed to training volunteers with the timing of the volunteer’s entry into the paid workforce so that the voluntary sector reaps optimum benefit for its efforts.