When I arrived in the dump today there were 4 strangers there, two white guys with semi pro looking video gear and one white girl who stood at a distance. They were led by a non Thai speaking person Burmese person from a group called Compasio. Do not know much of anything about these people or this group. Their website says they “Rescue Chilfren” not sure what that means, take them away from their parents? Kidnap them? Fred spoke to me Of this happening in the past. Not sure if this group is or is not connected to Christian missionaries. The Burmese leader and 2 of the 3 Westerners were not terribly friendly when I spoke to them so I backed off. What’s the deal with these folks? Am not sure at all.
One thing I did not like is I saw them TAKE (video, stills) in there time in the dump but I did not see them GIVE back in anyway. They did not give anything back (not even a smile or nod of the heads), they did not interact with the people at all. They sorta just stood there at a distant distance, it was rather unnerving. Meanwhile at the same time I drive in alone on my motorbike and hand out 7 headlamps, 2 pairs of boots, speaking Thai, attempting to speak Burmese with everyone, people running up to me talking, calling my name. It was all so different. How do these white folks expect to understand the families if they visit them like they visit a zoo? Those in the dump are people for Christ sake, go up to them, talk with them, joke with them, learn about their lives. You got to give back also. If you take video for heaven sake give a little back, help them! It is not all about your needs it is about theirs as well.
Note* Never understood why you need to convert people to help as many Christian groups do here. If you want to help, then frickin help, without any strings attached. Why do you need to convert them? Why so arrogant to assume your religious way is the only and right way and their centuries of beliefs inferior to yours. Love and helping those in need should happen without caveats, without the need to endorse your value system over their own. Love is love, blind to such things as what religious beliefs others have. Love is equality, love is blind to differences, love is a universal good. Just help them! Heck the families in the dump probably can teach you a lot more than you can teach them. Maybe you should be the one listening, learning and changing!
