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August 29, 2006
Mike McGuffie
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This week Mike writes about how a life review led him to campaign for Oxfam. |
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Name:
Mike McGuffie |
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Location:
Britain |
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Interesting Fact:
Mike decided to campaign for Oxfam in his spare time after undergoing a life/career review a couple of years ago. |
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I had been a regular donor to Oxfam for some years when I did one of those life/career reviews a couple of years ago. As a result I realised that third world development is one of the key issues I want to work on. I also realised that quicker progress will be needed if large numbers of people are to be lifted out of dire poverty. As circumstances didn't make full time work on this possible, I therefore decided to use some of my spare time to campaign for Oxfam.
Since then I have been suprised by how much can be achieved with relatively little effort. In the Taunton group we manage to achieve a lot with only about eight active group members. For instance, sponsored walks are suprisingly good for raising money, getting people involved and getting publicity in the local paper. And a simple stall on the hight street only needs a folding table; some leaflets and posters from Oxfam, and can lead to new contacts.
A lot of what we do is outside, to create awareness of the issues. This year we had a contrast between a freezing cold Saturday stall in March on the high street for the Control Arms campaign (when our local MP stopped by to talk to us!), and a sponsored walk on a boiling hot July day. This autumn we will be back on the streets with stalls and maybe try a sponsored fast or public meeting.
I feel that the work we do are only drops of help in an ocean of need, but if we get better and more effective and if more people join in, then the drops will get bigger and the ocean smaller. Working through Oxfam helps with that joining up, and also means that we know that efforts we make, however small, will directly lead to improvements in the lives of at least some of the very poorest and most needy people in our world.
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Comments
There is a way to avoid the cold! (though glad there are people braving it to reach general public) Just to say I've convinced colleagues to join Oxfam campaigns - and 'work place' actions are another way of reaching people.
Gabby | September 4, 2006 11:58 AM