The United Nations’ Secretary-General’s Message for 2011
“There is never a year without humanitarian crises. And wherever there are people in need, there are people who help them – men and women coming together to ease suffering and bring hope. From Japan to Sudan, from Pakistan to the Horn of Africa, aid workers help people who have lost their homes, loved ones and sources of income.
These humanitarians often brave great danger, far from home. They work long hours, in the most difficult conditions. Their efforts save lives in conflict and natural disaster. They also draw the world closer together by reminding us that we are one family, sharing the same dreams for a peaceful planet, where all people can live in safety, and with dignity.
On World Humanitarian Day, we honour these aid workers and thank them for their dedication. And we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – in Afghanistan, Haiti and beyond. Too many have died, or suffered their own loss, in the course of duty. We pledge to do all we can to ensure the world’s humanitarians are kept safe to do their essential work.
This is also a day to examine our own lives and consider what more we can do to help — to reach out to people enduring conflict, disaster and hardship. Let those we honour today inspire us to start our own journey to make the world a better place and bring our human family more closely together.”
Ban Ki-moon
———————————————
Before there was that, there was this…
And this…
A Story from Elias Kifle:
ELIAS KIFLE MARAIM BEYENE, 50, DJIBOUTI, EAST AFRICA
I won’t ever forget Michael Jackson because his contribution to the song We are the World had a very significant effect on my life. I am 50 now but 25 years ago I was living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which at that time was suffering from a long drought and famine.
It was a terrible situation. Lots of people became sick and many more died. Around one million people in all were killed by the famine. In 1984 Michael Jackson, along with a number of other leading musicians, made the song We are the World to raise money for Africa.
Jackson was an icon in Africa. We received a lot of aid from the world and I was one of those who directly benefitted from it. The wheat flour that was distributed to the famine victims was different to the usual cereal we bought at the market.
We baked a special bread from it. The local people named the bread after the great artist and it became know as Michael Bread. It was soft and delicious. When you have been through such hard times you never forget events like this.
If you speak to anyone who was in Addis Ababa at that time they will all know what Michael Bread is and I know I will remember it for the rest of my life.
5 Comments
“Michael Bread”……that made me break down. How fitting that name is. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
Oh my goodness…Michael Bread. I’m so happy to hear from someone who directly benefited from the work that Michael and others did for Africa. What a wonderful story. Michael Bread is indeed fitting and we need to share these type of stories with the world. This is who Michael really was, not the caricature that the media created. We most certainly need to make a call to action to help those who are suffering. I know that many are trying to bring change to the parts of the world that are greatly impacted by famine, drought or natural disasters and they are making some difference. We can’t give up hope and we need to “Keep the Faith”. I know I’m trying to figure out what I can do to help. I know in my heart I can’t just sit idly by and watch this happen. I know that many people still need their hearts opened so they can see that what is happening is unforgivable.
All of these videos are inspiring to watch and brought out so much emotion that I couldn’t help cry. God Bless all of those who serve to help heal the world and make the world a better place! You are all in my prayers every single day. Thank you for sharing Rev. Barbara. Namaste.
Mmmmm! Michael Bread – Soft and delicious. Its truly ironic how the breads texture and taste lined up with it’s name. Michael was soft – sweet, sensitive, generous, and precious. And he was delicious in that his character was very pleasant and uplifting to our spirits and our hearts. As always, thank you for sharing.
Michael Bread… Manna from heaven that fed the whole world…
Yes, I agree with Heidi: “manna from heaven, Michael Bread.” When you are hungry and somebody offered you a meal, you will not forever forget him or her.