And My Heart Bleeds

A small child sits crying in the shadow of a damaged structure in Haiti, hunger, fear and the grief at the loss of both family and the safety she once knew still haunts her. Today she still struggles to remain healthy; food and the lack of adequate medical care continue to be endemic.

And my heart bleeds.

In Kenya a teenage girl resorts to prostitution to feed her young child, brought to her through the violent act of rape. The slums of Nairobi offer her little hope of a better life.

And my heart bleeds.

Multiple families in Kashmir are homeless more than five years after a devastating earthquake. Children brought up to believe that the world does not care about their suffering, poor sanitation or lack of shelter.

And my heart bleeds.

Gunfire erupts as a grandmother attempts to cross a street in search of food to feed the grandchildren left to her. In Somalia, an entire generation has virtually vanished, victims of on ongoing civil war. A new generation is being raised on violence, self interest and fear.

And my heart bleeds.

My community is engaged in a noble effort to assist the victims of disaster in Japan. This is where the world’s attention is; this is where we can act, united in a common purpose.

Many have asked me why I am putting so much effort into this project. The simple answer is because of those we were not able to help in prior disasters. The world turned their attention in a different direction to soon. Deep inside me, there is regret and the knowledge of continued suffering. My heart bleeds for them; I stand witness to what we can do when we come together as a community. Yet I shed tears as witness to those in desperate need that we failed to help.

Yes, I am proud of my many roles in responding to disaster. I will give all I have to making a difference in the lives of those suffering in Japan. It is, however, my wish to reach just one more child, one more family, one more community before the world turns its attention somewhere else that drives me.

I think of those around the world we did not reach,

And my heart bleeds.

Peter Dybing

To donate to the effort go to:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/Pagan-Community/doctors-without-borders