From the laptop of the RD

December 14, 2010 in Uncategorized

Despite having studies contemporary religion at University – to be honest I don’t think about religion that much in my everyday life – that doesn’t mean I don’t believe but I am not a institutional practicing believer…. But recently I went to the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel (OPT/I) for our Programme Leadership Team meeting and there world religions collide – you are forced to think about and confront issues which you think you have considered but really know nothing about. Oppression, discrimination, prejudice, fear. In East Asia we expect natural disasters, events we can prepare for but can not stop – but what I saw in OPT/I was people pitched against people making their own personal disasters. Liveihoods destroyed, communities divided, movement restricted, lives lost. It is difficult not to make judgements – who is right and wrong – but what really struck me is how people continue to get on with their lives – yes I know most people do not have a choice, but they do it with such grace and lack of bitterness, it makes me wonder if in the same situation I would be as generous – I doubt it! I really felt that more than ever, organisations like Oxfam need to listen to affected communities, because the ideas for solutions usually come from them and our job is to facilitate and support not impose, in order to enable change to happen. In Gaza, the people I met wanted their story to be told – they were asking to be remembered, to be recognised and although that is not nearly enough, it is all of our responsibilities to enable poor people’s voices to be heard. It certainly reminded me that Oxfam is a facilitator and supporting from the sidelines is probably one of the most powerful things we can do. And back to religion, strangely it was important to me to visit Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus, as we approach Christmas – so I did and was glad to see people from all faiths gathering, sharing the experience, spending some time I hope reflecting on a place of beauty in a world of chaos. Best wishes for the festive season!

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