Before working with PHPT, I have to admit that I was ignorant as to the conditions of our neighbors living around us. Our neighbors are cold in the winter; some have no heat or very little heat. Some neighbors have leaks in their roofs. When it rains they are catching buckets full of water. Some neighbors are single parents working two jobs and trying to help their children get through college. Some neighbors do not have vehicles to drive to work. I say these people are all of our neighbors no matter what area of town we live. They need a little help from us to make their lives be forever changed for the good.
People Helping People Together is calling for a “Minga.” You say, what is a “Minga?” A Minga is a call to action. As the Amish have barn raising's so is a Minga in places such as the Ecuador. The story is told by Craig and Marc Kielburger "Me to We." They where in the Ecuador building a school. The mountain passes where treacherous and the roads where winding from high peaks to valleys. They where on a time schedule to be completed with the school. Plane tickets where bought and the construction of the school was way behind. Craig and Marc went to see the village chief, the oldest woman in the community. They told her their problem and were not sure she understood. But she said, “No problem, I will call a Minga.” They had puzzled faces but she did not notice. The chief took a few steps out the door and stopped. Suddenly she started screaming to the top of her lungs, “Tomorrow……their will be a Minga.” They did not know what they meant and tried to mask their disappointed faces. The next day, hundreds of people came to help finish the school. It was amazing. They left crops in their fields, their jobs and woman carrying babies on their backs. They had come to build the school. They asked for nothing in return and even bought food. After taking part in a lively celebration to inaugurate the completion of the school, they left as quietly as they came. They did not expect anything in return. That was a Minga.
We have as many as 200 houses in Eastside that need repair.
We need Churches, Businesses and organizations to help turn Columbia around.
We need sponsors and volunteers to meet the challenge at hand. This is a call for Columbia to unite to the cause by helping those in need who are our neighbors. If each of us say “We can and we will”, this community will transform before our eyes. Crime rate will start to diminish and families will feel safe to walk in their neighborhoods again. When people in need are helped, their faith in God, people and this country will increase and we will make a difference. Together we can make a difference. Let’s make our mind to do it now!
Today I received in the mail a Daily Herald Newspaper Clipping dated January 23, 2008. The headline, “Forgotten neighborhood: Everyone has a stake in East Columbia. Written by Delilah Carden-Orr, Columbia.
Delilah talked about living in Eastside community that she felt disconnected from the town which she was born. She spoke of how it felt to be black American in the 60’s and 70’s. The barriers she experienced during integration, reminded her of now. Her neighborhood was the last to get indoor plumbing. No sidewalks and barely curbs. Streets less than desirable. Delilah said, “Imagine waking up on first weekend in April-Mule Day and that particular day being fenced in (barriers up) fenced in so to speak on Eastside. If emergency arose in Eastside, “How would we get help with us barricaded inside.” Delilah spoke of the strong desire to be treated with respect and dignity and wanting her neighborhood back. Regardless of where you live, you still are a part of this town. She dreams of sidewalks, signs posted caution, children playing, clean streets. Delilah states,” Open your eyes and see what is going on. No, I’m not afraid to live where I do, it is home. All I am asking is “Can we get some beautification.” I want to walk my grandchildren down the street on a sidewalk. If I step in the street, will there be a curb there for me?” When I get to 8th St. I want to see a sign that says, Slow: children at play. She wants to see speed limit signs.
Delilah states, “ Do not give up on Columbia, Let’s pull together and make this a better place to live. Everyone deserves a chance. Why? Because God says so.”
PHPT is calling for a Minga. Let us see what a difference that every church, club and business could make, repairing one house at a time. I challenge Columbia to a “Minga”.
People Helping People Together is calling for a “Minga.” You say, what is a “Minga?” A Minga is a call to action. As the Amish have barn raising's so is a Minga in places such as the Ecuador. The story is told by Craig and Marc Kielburger "Me to We." They where in the Ecuador building a school. The mountain passes where treacherous and the roads where winding from high peaks to valleys. They where on a time schedule to be completed with the school. Plane tickets where bought and the construction of the school was way behind. Craig and Marc went to see the village chief, the oldest woman in the community. They told her their problem and were not sure she understood. But she said, “No problem, I will call a Minga.” They had puzzled faces but she did not notice. The chief took a few steps out the door and stopped. Suddenly she started screaming to the top of her lungs, “Tomorrow……their will be a Minga.” They did not know what they meant and tried to mask their disappointed faces. The next day, hundreds of people came to help finish the school. It was amazing. They left crops in their fields, their jobs and woman carrying babies on their backs. They had come to build the school. They asked for nothing in return and even bought food. After taking part in a lively celebration to inaugurate the completion of the school, they left as quietly as they came. They did not expect anything in return. That was a Minga.
We have as many as 200 houses in Eastside that need repair.
We need Churches, Businesses and organizations to help turn Columbia around.
We need sponsors and volunteers to meet the challenge at hand. This is a call for Columbia to unite to the cause by helping those in need who are our neighbors. If each of us say “We can and we will”, this community will transform before our eyes. Crime rate will start to diminish and families will feel safe to walk in their neighborhoods again. When people in need are helped, their faith in God, people and this country will increase and we will make a difference. Together we can make a difference. Let’s make our mind to do it now!
Today I received in the mail a Daily Herald Newspaper Clipping dated January 23, 2008. The headline, “Forgotten neighborhood: Everyone has a stake in East Columbia. Written by Delilah Carden-Orr, Columbia.
Delilah talked about living in Eastside community that she felt disconnected from the town which she was born. She spoke of how it felt to be black American in the 60’s and 70’s. The barriers she experienced during integration, reminded her of now. Her neighborhood was the last to get indoor plumbing. No sidewalks and barely curbs. Streets less than desirable. Delilah said, “Imagine waking up on first weekend in April-Mule Day and that particular day being fenced in (barriers up) fenced in so to speak on Eastside. If emergency arose in Eastside, “How would we get help with us barricaded inside.” Delilah spoke of the strong desire to be treated with respect and dignity and wanting her neighborhood back. Regardless of where you live, you still are a part of this town. She dreams of sidewalks, signs posted caution, children playing, clean streets. Delilah states,” Open your eyes and see what is going on. No, I’m not afraid to live where I do, it is home. All I am asking is “Can we get some beautification.” I want to walk my grandchildren down the street on a sidewalk. If I step in the street, will there be a curb there for me?” When I get to 8th St. I want to see a sign that says, Slow: children at play. She wants to see speed limit signs.
Delilah states, “ Do not give up on Columbia, Let’s pull together and make this a better place to live. Everyone deserves a chance. Why? Because God says so.”
PHPT is calling for a Minga. Let us see what a difference that every church, club and business could make, repairing one house at a time. I challenge Columbia to a “Minga”.
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