Monday, January 29, 2007

Mother-Teresa-meets-Indiana-Jones Adventure

I watched a compelling show last night on PBS (Beyond the Call) about three middle-aged men Doing what the multiple bureaucracies of the world are struggling to accomplish --helping those in crisis.
"...Ed Artis, Jim Laws and Walt Ratterman [are] three self-styled knights who form the core of a unique humanitarian aid organization called Knightsbridge International."

I think the PBS broadcasts are over but there is a form you can fill in to be alerted when the DVD is available. To help you decide to do that, check out these video clips from the show. There's also a YouTube video.



Some folks will find these men "disturbing" because they have a strong tendency to make you look at yourself and ask: "Why am I not doing more to help people?"

If seeing this story does nothing more than make you feel there is some very Sweet Goodness happening in this world beset with Massive Ills, it will have been worth your while...

Here's just a bit more from the WebSite:
"Like Knightsbridge International, Doctors Without Borders is an independent organization that delivers aid directly to people affected by war, disease and natural disasters regardless of political, economic, or religious interests.

"According to their 2005 report, the following were among the most underreported humanitarian stories:

The Congo
"Millions of Congolese endure extreme deprivation and violence due to fighting between the Congolese Army and the Mai-Mai rebels, which has displaced tens of thousands and devastated the public health system.

Chechnya
"Civilians caught between Russian forces and Chechen armed groups suffer daily violence, landmine accidents and disappearances even as officials say the situation is “normalized.”

Haiti
"Port-au-Prince has been the center of devastating violence by armed political and criminal factions leaving thousands injured or dead, including civilian women, children and the elderly.

India
"Violence among religious and ethnic groups in Northeastern India has resulted in massacres and the displacement of tens of thousands overcrowding government camps, where disease is rampant.

Sudan
"Though civil war officially ended in 2005, the health crisis and fighting continues and the broken infrastructure cannot support the masses of people returning to under-equipped areas."