LOCAL RESPOND CONTINUES

[Christina Maria Padman]

Connections happen when individuals or a group make the effort to get connected with each other.

In the Community I’m working with, one resident reached out to two neighbours.  She (Mdm. A) helped looked after a couple’s baby. At first I thought that she was doing a baby-sitting job, but Mdm.  A told me that the couple always fight and the baby is left crying, so she decided to look after the baby whenever the need arises.

Mdm. A also looks after two boys whose parents are working. She has asked her own sons to tutor the boys.  Recently, another neighbour, Mdm. M chipped in to help.  Now the three families – Mdm. A, the two boys and Mdm. M’s have dinner together almost every night.  It is a collective effort of all the three mothers coming together (sometimes one if the other two are busy) to prepare dinner.

For me, this is a simple situation where we see individuals making the effort to get connected and care for each other.  I see also, two adults who take responsibility to raise the children.

It shows that people do have the capacity to do something together for a better life/situation. In this case, three families enjoying home cooked meals and friendship. This creates a sense of belonging as members of that community.

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Thanks for your response. I too have the same experience. Have you initiated Community life competence in the community?

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Hi Christina,

Thanks for sharing what do you think had created that bond between community members. Warm greetings from India!

Rituu

[MariJo]

Dear Christina,

This is a perfect exemple of the enormous amount of important things that we can do as individuals to recover our sense of community. Some times, we feel that if we have not funds, no governmental support, no institutional project we can do nothing, but reality is there for us to see it when we open our eyes and keep our ears alert.

All children are our children, the children of humanity; all human beings are our companions in life. And whatever we do can make others make a step forward to join... that is how communities grow.

This is a very good reminder. Thank you for sharing