What Do I Take for Granted?

So, I'm sitting at a nice hotel in their back lobby to get power and internet access and can finally take some time to post an update. I'll start by saying how grateful I am to have power and internet access - gee, the things I used to take so for granted.

That is a concept to explore a bit. So, I got to spend time yesterday with a little girl (Ellen) in Namuwango (the slums) while she drew on some of my scrap paper. I take for granted that there are paper and pens/pencils available - but that is just not true in an environment of such poverty. I was reading, to help edit/check, a letter a little boy (Richard) wrote to his sponsor in the UK - this sponsor pays his school tuition so that he is able to get an education - and the main point of his thank you note was that he'd never before received a letter (the letter his sponsor had written him was his first ever and he'd been running through the slums showing the envelop and paper to his friends - because they'd never seen or received one either). I take for granted that I am able to communicate with others in written or electronic form. I take for granted that people have sent messages to me... it seems part of a "normal" life. However, these things are not "normal" for about 80% of the world - only normal for our western/1st world culture. I don't "dis" our advantages- I simply challenge that we should recognize they aren't "norms" for all and I wonder what steps I can take to help change that.

I would like for everyone in Namuwango to feel the worth of having someone know them and send something directly to them - even if only a paper letter. I would like for everyone in Namuwango to have paper and pencils when they'd like them... but more importantly, I'd like for people in Namuwango (and every other slum in the world) to have nutritious food and clean water. Food and drink for thought.... what can we do to about it?