1.3 billion people live on less than US $1; the same number have no access to clean water.
3 billion live on under US $2; just as many people have no access to proper sanitation,
and 2 billion have no access to electricity.

In 1999, the combined wealth of the world's 200 richest people hit US $1 trillion;
the combined incomes of the 582 million people living in the 43 least developed countries is US $146 billion.

790 million people in the developing world are still chronically undernourished.

11 million children die a year from poverty. That's about 210 000 a week; 30 000 a day; 1250 every hour.
Or from another perspective, 1 child dies from poverty every 3 seconds.

should i go on? i think i shall. here are some global spending figures. do scrutinise.

This is how the world spent its US $ billions.

Cosmetics in the US : 8
Ice Cream in Europe : 11
Perfumes in Europe and US : 12
Pet Food in Europe and US : 17
Business Entertainment in Japan : 35
Cigarettes in Europe : 50
Alcoholic Drinks in Europe : 105
Narcotic Drugs in the world : 400
Military Spending in the world : 780
Total: US$1418 billion

And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries:

Basic Education for all : 6
Water and Sanitation for all : 9
Reproductive Health for women : 12
Basic Health and Nutrition : 13
Total: US$ 40 billion

If Europe alone just quit smoking, you'd have enough to provide basic social services to all the 3 billion people or so who lack it, and still have US$ 10 billion left.

have a made my point? have i convinced you? and what if i have? all you see are words and figures. you don't see names, or faces. you don't feel the hunger, the cold, the heat. you don't taste the dirty grass, or the muddy water. you don't hear crying, or smell death. you don't understand. i do not understand. but at least i am trying to. and trying to make others understand.

i don't care what religion you practise. not being aware of the suffering of your fellow human kind is a sin. being aware and standing idly by is an even greater sin. but the greatest sin is denial: to choose to be blind to others in need, because not knowing leaves you happier, leaves you richer. you poor soul.

you don't have to be warren buffet or bill gates. you can pledge your 3rd mp3 player, your 2nd tv set. or your dream car. or you can be like me and pledge time and energy. i am sitting here, feverish, shivering, dripping in cold sweat, one empty tissue box by my side and a half demolished one in front of me and struggling through a 5.0 headache. this is not the only time i preach. i have converted a few extravagance-lovers, and awoken a couple of blissfuly ignorant people, but it is not enough. there are so many people out there who live in a world where europe and american make up 90% of the map and africa is a "country" of black people that hunt and get eaten by lions.

helping others is not an option; it is our duty, and a privilege.

i hope this post will inspire some of you to see not just what you want to see or what others want you to see, but what really is there, and to question what is shown, endorsed and practised. remember, just because everyone is doing it, and has been doing it for a long long time, doesn't mean it's right, or make it ok. beware of the deluded ones who claim to be messengers of God, yet deliver teachings that ultimately numb you, blind you and bring you ever further away from Truth.

enough of words. i leave you with pictures and an introspective feast. For more food for thought, just buy a copy of The Straits Times.