The life you can save

Peter Singer: The Life You Can Save - Late Night Live - 4 February 2009

“Imagine you are on your way to work when you pass a pond where you see a young child drowning. There is no one else around but you are wearing new shoes which will be ruined if you wade in to save him, and the rescue will make you late for work. What should you do?

We don't hesitate to answer 'save the child!', but Peter Singer argues that when it comes to the plight of millions in the developing world we are all letting the child die. His new book is a call to action for individual responsibility in ending world poverty.”

 

Six families of National Power Station security guards lack food to eat

Tina (10:03:57): Gud am Bern, I wake up early, to open d store. Sad to say I cannot raise money for Ken['s] allowance coz I don't have stock to sale, sorry to tell you Bern we don't have food to eat today, specially d kids.

Tina (10:15:14): You know Bern, 5 guard outgoing dis 7 a.m., complaining to me dat there is no rice and food to their house. They are rely[ing] on my store for their needs. [Above texts received online at 14:53 GMT+10]

Bern (15:55): Sent 10000 Western Union 3476808634. I rely on you to take great care. Please try to help Mel also. He should sell loads and also take great care.

Tina (16:07:18): Bern I received your text thank you very much, I will invest your money to d store, and I give 2,500 to Mel to sale load, I will try my best to take care of it.

Bern (16:18:32): Tina, thank you for your confirmation of my text sent 20 minutes ago. I worry that the money isn't enough though, for elec[tricity], stock, Mel's therapy, Jayson etc.

Unemployed young man needs to work and plan for the future

October 05

Bern (16:58:28): Tina Mel contacted me from the computer store. He's very distressed and crying and has just gone offline. Please try to comfort him right now.

Bern (17:16:51): Tina, just now I tried to ring Mel but I can't get through to him. Please try to contact him and comfort him. Also, please try to reply to me soon.

Bern (17:19:04): Hi Mel, it's distressing to me that you are so sad. I tried to ring you just now but, most unfortunately, I couldn't get through. I worry about you.

Tina (17:26:05): Ok I will, I will get d money first. We're on d way to Sta. Cruz now.

Tina (17:29:45): Don't worry too much Bern, I will talk to him, and I also give d money to him, so he can start to sale load again.

Tina (17:31:37): I will text you again after I talk to Mel, we're now near in Sta. Cruz.

Bern (17:36:22): Thank you for that. Mel is very distressed at receiving 2,500 while (as he sees it) you receive 7,500. I think he feels hopeless and neglected.

Tina (17:39:16): Bern, I will pay 3,500, for elec. bill, then 1,000 for Ken['s] tuition fee, I just buy 1 sack rice, 1,200, d rest I buy stock.

Bern (17:42:45): I see. Ken's tuition fees sound high. I wonder how long that is for. Maybe you can explain a little to Mel. I hope he'll be settled enough to discuss things.

Tina (17:45:45): Bern I will buy also 500 for load Smart, 500 for load Globe, I'm so sorry. I hope Mel will understand.

Bern (17:46:51): I certainly hope he will try to. I do care about Mel. If I had money I'd help him far more than I do.

Tina (17:48:24): Don't worry Bern if I have stock in d store and he needs it, I'm wiling to give.

Bern (17:49:02): Thank you very much for that.

Bern (17:50:08): Hi Jester! Sorry it's been so long. I hope you and your family are well. Jester, Mel is very sad. I'd be grateful if you could visit and comfort him very soon. Bern. "Jester will receive your messages on a mobile device."

Bern (20:02:35): Hi Tina. I'd appreciate a report about the family situation soon, and, if possible, news about Mel especially.

Tina (20:05:33): Bern were just on da way home, we buy stock in d store while were in Sta. Cruz, when we got arrived home, we will go to Magdapio to talk and give money to Mel.

Bern (20:06:55): I see. Thank you for that information. I'll be very interested to hear more later tonight.

Tina (21:31:22): Gud evening Bern, sorry if I'm not personally give money to Mel, coz when we got home little Bern was sleeping, and we don't have food to prepared to eat so Jov decide dat he will bring 2,500 alone, coz I'm d one who will take care [of] little Bern at home, I just text Mel dat Jovs was on da way now.

Bern (22:19:57): Tina thanks for your text advising that Jovs was taking money to Mel. I'd be grateful for information about Mel's condition when it becomes available.

Tina (22:37:16): Bern Jovs has been arrived 5 mins ago. He already gave 2,500 to Mel. Nanay Josie was also there. He did not stay long der coz he knows we eat dinner when he return.

Bern (22:39:14): Oh! I hope Josie will be of some comfort to Mel but I'm not confident of that. Also: I want MEL to benefit from that money, not someone else.

Tina (22:43:45): Don't worry Bern, Mel is da one manage his money, Nanay Josie is with Mel always, she is d one carrying water used [by] Mel while taking a bath, washing cloth of Mel, Mel is like a prince in d house, Nanay Josie was just his servant, cooker, cleaning d house etc. Tina.

Bern (22:46:06): Oh. It's curious that Mel never mentions his mother. Really the prince does need to work at any job, no matter how humble.

Tina (22:51:37): I don't know why he did not mention to you Nanay Josie. But I'm so sorry I'm just saying d truth, Mel is like a prince in his way of living, dat [is] my observation.

October 06

Tina (00:20:14): But Mel need to have determination how to earn money by his own [efforts]. Sorry to tell you dis, but he need to think dat you are not always be there to help him, he was 22 yrs old, he need to be responsible [so that] sooner or later he can have his own family and kids. Sorry for telling dis. It's only my opinion. Tina.

Bern (00:21:58): Hello, I'm still here! I meant to be in bed but an American has been contacting me. I can't see how Mel can ever afford a wife and family. Sad but true.

Tina (00:26:04): Yes Bern, I believed and observed it, but Mel need to think about dat in d future.

Bern (00:26:29): Years ago in Penang, Malaysia, I met a youth aged maybe 18 who said he was unable to marry. I thought he saw no way to get out of poverty.

Bern (00:27:03): Maybe Mel feels hopeless about his life changing.

Bern (00:29:11): People say the longest journey starts with a single step. I was hoping that selling loads would at least provide Mel with a little income.

Tina (00:31:39): I observe Mel spend[s] his time with his barkada [comrades], and wait[s for] his allowance from you. I did see any effort or hear any idea to earn money.

Tina (00:33:43): I hope so, in 500 pesos he can start to sale load if he want to.

Tina (00:38:10): Bern I'm worried about you, it's been too late for you to slept, you must take a rest now.

Bern (00:48:57): Sorry, I was distracted by the American. You are right, I should be in bed. I was feeling regretful this morning after too many very late nights.

Tina (00:56:30): Take care of your health Bern, sweets dreams Bern.

Bern (00:57:11): Oh, thank you. And you'd better get some rest too. No doubt you'll be up early. Good night!

Ministore owner desperately seeks capital, citing great need

September 17

Tina (17:26:21): Bern, I and Mel decide to go home, we will return [to the Laguna Provincial Hospital] on Wed[nesday]. Some Indian (Bombay) 5/6* ask me if I want some capital from them, coz day know dat there [is] lots of demand but I don't have capital, but I think it's not good for my business. But almost of d guard force me to have extra capital to support der family needs.

September 18

Tina (10:03:21): Bern gud a.m., Jovs slept last nite with us, now little Bern and [I] was going to Magdapio but [we] will return after lunch, I don't have per kl. of rice right now, da 20 guard family rely on me including my family.

Tina (18/09/2007 10:12:33): You know Bern, tell you d truth, I don't want to borrow money to 5/6*, coz I really need to buy 5 sacks of rice, 1,200 each, to support d needs of d guards till payday 25th, it total cost 6,000, if ever I borrow I'm return it will be 7,200, my profit will be goes to them, if I have only a chance to have capital to support them and my family, I really need help.

* * *

* 5/6: A loan shark, so-called because one who borrows 500 pesos, for example, must repay 600 within a month. "Bombays" are moneylenders of Indian extraction, generally held in low repute by Filipinos.

Expenses overwhelm poor, pregnant, bleeding woman and relatives

E-mail from Tina sent at 14:42 GMT+8

Dear Bern,

1. This is the prescription of Dra. D . . . :

Duvadilan 1 tab, once a day, need 7 pcs, 17.20 each, total cost 119, Hemostan 500 mg 10 cap, 2 x a day 22.50 each, total cost 225, Beniforte or Hemarate 1 tab. once a day, only available in Mercury drugs was Hemarate cost 11.00 each, total cost 674.

2. Then I spend Dr. fee cost 1,500 in 2 times each, yesterday and today dra.* Fees.

3. Then after Dra.* D . . . give a request for ultrasound on May 28, to see if there [is] a development and to avoid premature labor, it will cost again 1,500.

4. I Hope you understand, I also scan the result of ultra sound before which [was] requested in doctor in Provincial hospital last April 27, 2007.

5. I almost spend 2,500 for Liza check up and medicine, then my problem was another 1,500 on May 28, for ultrasound and another dra.* fee, need another 2,500 almost.

6. The money I have was my allowance for operation maybe on the first week of June, and I don't know yet what will be the exact expenses, what I can do? I want to save the life of the baby, that why I do that, I [know] that will be my next problem soon, how I can return the money I spend for Liza, and another expenses on May 28?

7. The main problem of mine was the allowance of Liza ‘s 2 child Ken and Kert, which Ken now I need to enroll in kindergarten this coming June, it's also my responsibility, also the situation of Liza, I hope we avoid premature labor, coz we experience it before on her 2nd child Kert, [who] was [in an] incubator for 1 month, it's so hard and so expensive. The allowance for their milk, diaper, and food, that make my life harder, but what I can do, I'm the elder and my responsibility [is] to help them, specially this moment.

8. I try to open a ATM account so I did not bring cash in hospital - it was BPI Express Teller International . . .

9 I hope Bern you can help me regarding my problem about Liza and kids' situation.

[Liza's husband] Roderic was now in Alabang suffering illness in TB.

Tina.

*Dra. is an abbreviation for "Doktora", female doctor.

Sick woman worries about how family can survive

Tina (01:14:33): Bern gud evening, sorry if disturb you! It's so hard to have slept, coz of so much worried, I have now new bruises in my forearm and legs, in dis case I'm worried in platelet transfusion in my near operation.

Tina (01:17:48): I'm worried to Liza, she goes to Alabang today, to get d 2 child and bring it here. I'm worried how we can survive, if Liza don't have work and Roderic was sick, its back on my responsibility again.

One crowded hour

Sound, sound the clarion, fill the fife!
Throughout the sensual world proclaim,
One crowded hour of glorious life
Is worth an age without a name.

Thomas Osbert Mordaunt (1730-1809), The Call.

Promises to keep

These woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Robert Frost: Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.

Stopping by woods on a snowy evening

What about the poem? People argue about what it means. Some critics say there is a deathwish in it, in reference to the fact that he has left the main road, is trespassing and heading toward the frozen lake.

Few readers seem to know that Frost himself commented about the poem. It had a very private and personal meaning. Frost had gone to town to buy toys for his children. But what he found was too expensive and other shops were closed. He was out of work and very poor. It was Christmas Eve and his children were eagerly hoping for presents from Santa. He is coming back with an empty wagon. The night has gotten late and he takes a shortcut. It is the darkest evening of the year, not only because of the calendar, but because of his great sadness. He stops for a moment with his horse as his one companion, although the poor animal cannot understand what is wrong. The man’s promises to keep are with his family. No matter how bad he feels, he cannot die and he cannot run away. They are depending upon him.

Father Joe: Miles to Go Before I Sleep. Excerpt. Father Joe is a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC.