Child labour..........and the impact of chocolate?

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There are a lot of kids in happy, healthy and thriving families where they have an opportunity to grow and experience many things. Sadly , however, this is not the case for a lot of kids around the world.

It is estimated that 158 million children aged 5-14 years are engaged in child labour (UNICEF, 2008)

As a result of poverty,family violence and for a means of families to survive(even if it is such a small income), child labour is real and affects many kids around the world. It can have long term impacts and affects the most vulnerable of boys and girls.

Child labour can include children being involved in excessive amounts of work, slavery at its worst and sadly child prostitution.

How can you and I do something to help end child labour? Here are some tips I have suggested:

Firstly as a Christian praying is important. God hears all our prays and is concerned for the poor and destitute of this world.
See how you can advocate for people in third world countries. Maybe you can petition, lobby, visit helpful websites informing you better on how you and I can help bring an end to child labour.

There is one thing though which many people love to eat..chocolate that can make a difference in ending child labour. Fair trade is involved in making a better deal for people in the developing world so that purchases made in western countries benefit and not hinder children.

Below is a website for Fairtrade Australia.
http://www.fta.org.au/


So maybe next time you buy your chocolate, why not check if it is fair trade chocolate?

Homelessness-part 2

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I wrote a previous post about homelessness in our city and my experiences of an upcoming event. Even though on this occasion I didn't see homeless people in this event, I am still very much aware of the need of services to provide for people in need. Services that in the future people we know may need. Through helping on this street count I gain some extra knowledge about where homeless people live and conditions for them. There are a lot of dedicated people wanting to bring about social change and have this issue of homelessness on governments minds so funding can be used to help these people in vulnerable positions.


If anyone is interested in finding out more about homeless people thee is a magazine called " The Big Issue" . Website is:
http://www.bigissue.org.au/ There is also a blog on the website too.

Happy reading!

This is one of a number of verses on the Bible which gives me great encouragement,once which has meant a lot to me recently-

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:1-2

Homelessness

I sometimes get very carried away and forget sometimes what is really happening in the suburb,city and country I live in. However, homelessness is real and has been around for sometime. Around 100 000 people are classified as homeless each night. it is a staggering amount-one which I am aware of .Sometimes I wonder what is the best response as someone who wants to care for people in need. Is giving money the best thing, or will that create dependency?
Will write more ( in 2 posts time) as I gain some 'experience' in my own city in the next week of homelessness.

As Easter approaches, it is highlighted for many by a holiday and easter eggs, however this Easter it is great to be reminded of Jesus.
Jesus died for all of us and then rose again 3 days later.

Materialism.........

Recently I checked out the definition of Materialism and here is two definitions:

1. the theory that physical matter is the only reality and that psychological states such as emotions, reason, thought, and desire will eventually be explained as physical functions
2. devotion to material wealth and possessions at the expense of spiritual or intellectual values

(Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.)


Living in a western country we are bombarded by materialism. It is seen through the large amounts of junk mail I receive on a weekly basis advertising the latest technology gadgets that I must have. Through going to a shopping centre,the sales which capture my attention willing me on to buy more and more clothes that are discounted.

Around Easter and Christmas, various items will be on sale asking us to buy it for ‘pleasure’,‘happiness’’to feel you belong’.

I wonder though if buying the biggest house in Sydney, purchasing the latest mobile phone and spending money on the most expensive bag will make me/ us happy. Don’t get me wrong, we are human beings and we need our basic needs to be met and there is nothing wrong with things and buying items. Will it make me happier or not?

I just wonder and wrestle with God the many times that as a society I/we have ‘lost the plot’ and soon (or if not already) we have completely put stuff over other priorities like family,friends, other relationships, but more importantly as a Christian myself, put materialism over Jesus.

Maybe we need to organise our priorities and continually think about the important things in life. Possibly, giving our money to a charity or even sponsoring a child is more proactive so that the money given away will be used for a better purpose, where lives can be changed.

Prayer is the thing I can do as I seek God.


How about you, do you think materialism is getting in the way of other things?

one month on.....

A country so improverished, most people live on less than $1.00 a day.
A country that has a history of violence
A country where 80 % of the population are unemployed.
A country where less than 20 % of the population over 15 years old can read and write.
This is Haiti.

One month on after the January 12 earthquake,it is hard to imagine that this country with widespread poverty could go through so much.
Over 200 000 people men,women and children dead. Thousands injured and many children orphaned.

It is great to be reminded that there is someone who does love each and every Haitian person. It is Jesus. They are all precious in his sight. It is great to be reminded that Jesus is the only one.
Source:
http://www.haiti-micah.org/haiti-facts.html

Psalm 47

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
2 How awesome is the LORD Most High,
the great King over all the earth!

3 He subdued nations under us,
peoples under our feet.

4 He chose our inheritance for us,
the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
Selah

5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm [a] of praise.

8 God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.

9 The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings [b] of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.