Argentina
If you could give someone the perfect day, who would you choose, and why?
I'd probably choose either children or old people. I think both need to be taken care of and most of all, both groups need lots of love.
What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
Many people have been very kind to me but this year, a girl I had only seen a couple of times and whom I didn't consider my friend back then, called me saying she wanted to give me something before I came back to my home country. I was surprised and of course she didn't have to give me anything at all, the simple fact that she wanted to see me before I left was enough for me. Anyway, she said she wanted to give me a gift and she sent me 100 dollars! I didn't want to accept them, I felt kinda bad for her, she was being so generous and I wasn't really used to receiving money from friends, just from relatives. She said they'd be useful, especially because I was going through a rough moment and I had to travel back home and pay all the expenses. In the end, I had to pay 100 dollars at Customs to be able to get in the country with the electronics I had purchased along the year. She was totally right, I would need them.
What made you decide to get involved with The Big Give?
Mainly, the fact that you invited me to. You are a good friend and I just want to support you in anything you'd need me to. Also, I think that as bloggers (and rather known and "read") we have the chance to make it really public and both promote and spread good causes such as TBG. It will give us the chance to give others the opportunity to help and, unlike charity, we'll be giving others the chance to help anybody in any way they want. And winning a prize pack? I think everybody wins here, we all contribute to make the world better and a bunch of people happy.
I'm a selfish-looking girl who tends not to be selfish at all - except that no one's there to see it. I listen although my friends don't realise and I try to be tolerant, even when such feeling is virtually impossible to keep.
Canada
If you could give someone the perfect day, who would you choose, and why?
Don't tell her, but I'd like to give my sister a perfect day. She is so sweet to me almost all the time, but we're opposites. I love her deeply, even when I don't really like her.
What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
I had a friend, once, who would mail me things even though we were neighbors. Packs of gum with a stamp stuck on, postcards telling of an adventure we'd had together. Things like that would make my day.
What made you decide to get involved with The Big Give?
The concept intrigues me. Strangers around the globe competing to out-give each other through the use of their time and creativity. I like the thought that we can gain so much through sharing.
I have been many things. A farm girl, a backpacker, a participant, a waitress. To name a few. Now I'm just a small town girl with a lust for adventure.
Australia
If you could give someone the perfect day, who would you choose and why?
Between you and me, I'd choose my friend Stacey. Stacey is one of my heroes. She came from an incredibly troubled background and worked incredibly hard to finish high school. There were so many times she wanted to give up and yet she kept on going to accomplish her goals and become the amazing woman she is now. She's one of the most courageous people I know and more than deserving of one perfect day.
What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
My darling friend Cat is the queen of little surprises. On one particularly sad day she made a cardboard cutout of Adam Brody and left him on my desk waiting for me when I got in from lunch. I couple of weeks later, I walked in and he had a bunch of cardboard cutout flowers for me. It really is the thoughtful little things that can brighten your day.
What made you decide to get involved with The Big Give?
After a few months as part of the blogging community, I was blown away by the creativity and passion of the people I met. You know how you meet some people and think "wow. That guy's going to change the world"?
Somehow I've convinced the world I know what I'm doing. I don't. I am optimistic that I'll nail it someday though.
The Philippines.
If you could give someone the perfect day, who would you choose, and why?
Either one of the little children who live on the streets of Manila and try to charm you into buying all kinds of rubbish (and they are incredibly charming!), or a woman/young person who has experienced and survived a conflict situation.
Why the focus on children/young people? I believe that actually having and experiencing one's childhood is essential- it's a basic right and if these children are unable to enjoy it because they're working 12 hour days to try and feed themselves... it breaks my heart a little. No child should have to worry about whether they're going to be hungry come sundown or not. I'd like to give them a little bit of time to enjoy being children.
I'm also particularly moved by the situation of women and children in conflict zones and refugee camps. It disappoints me to no end that we, as the human race, are responsible for the trauma and the hurt inflicted upon these people. And worst of all? None of this was probably even necessary. They have barely survived- their homes, their lives, their families, their grasp on themselves... all destroyed. I think people in such situations- and especially women and children- are vulnerable and trying to rebuild their identities and come to terms with the chaos around them. I imagine a bit of peace is all they'd want.
What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
In the middle of my best friend's leukaemia treatment, she wrote me an e-mail asking how I was because she thought my e-mails sounded like a load of crap. Exact words, I kid you not. And yes, I was sad and I was having a melodramatic fit and I needed her- even in her weakened, half way across the world state; I needed her more than she needed me. She always came through- even when I didn't ask.
And, I hate asking. It's always wonderful to realise there's someone out there who is your person and knows you better than anybody else. It touches me to no end that she could pick out my tone and my subtext from an e-mail that was banking on the neutrality of typed words on a screen in a determinedly cheery manner. It humbles me so much to re-read her e-mail (full of wonderfully sage advice and arse kicking) and see how much she cared and how, in spite of the hell she was going through at that moment in time, I was still a priority. I don't think anyone can ever make me feel that valued again. What made you decide to get involved with The Big Give?
When Mel approached me with the idea, I knew I wanted to be 100% on board. One of the major factors is that it was Mel who asked. As a blogger I admire and someone from the social justice school of thought; I knew Mel's intentions and her passion would definitely translate into concrete action. She would really be doing this for something better, something bigger and something definitely worth being a part of. Another reason I feel strongly about is that people often dismiss the blogging community as some self-centered and self-indulgent group who like to talk about themselves a lot. While this may be true, I am also humbled on a daily basis by the wonderful, innovative and fun things bloggers and the blogging community comes up with! It softens my jaded and sometimes cynical outlook on life and makes me think, "hey! people are actually kinda cool..." I do think the Big Give would be a wonderful opportunity to call on the blogging community to bring their innovative, creative, fun and wonderful personalities and apply themselves to a worthy idea. The Big Give creates a space and a chance for people to do something they've always wanted to do, but have never quite gotten around to it. And hey- if it makes people look at bloggers as more than just a load of self-love whilst we make someone else's life a little brighter, then all the better!
Risha is talkative, opinionated and mostly irreverent. She lives in the Philippines right now and loves it, but expects/hopes to be somewhere new, somewhere wonderful in the coming years. She strongly believes you should make chai, not war!
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2 comments:
you are all incredible women...you all inspire me to live my best life...
I agree with Sarah! Your stories have touched me deeply.
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