I am fostering compassion and understanding at the grass roots level by bridging the gap that exists between Western societies, and the undeveloped nations of the world. Stereotypes and misconceptions are broadened and eliminated by the pure information and experience I provide on both sides of the fence. I see myself as an emissary of all that is good about the United States, and a product of Western culture. I am also an emissary collecting material, and knowledge, to bring back to my origins the fruit, which grows in abundance in the area we have labeled: impoverished. I seek to neutralize a barrier that the poverty, taking place in other parts of the world is separate, and not part of our world. We are one world, problems and all. It is important to view the larger scope and bigger picture, gaining insight and understanding about not only the effects we face, but also the causes and the roots.
As a result of Empathy, Americans, and the privileged parties who have access to Internet technology, will have the opportunity to travel vicariously through me and see parts of the world in a way they never have. It is not where I go, it is how I go. I am opening up a doorway, which will continue to widen, allowing exchange of information and reciprocation to families and local communities in South East Asia and India. I am doing this through the collectivization of a database of individual's mailing information, and other contact information, and posting it upon my website. I am conducting interviews with the local people, and providing these rare and valuable accounts to a worldwide audience to share, and learn from. I am taking down the facts, on what people need, want, and lack. Yet, more than that, I am documenting who the people are, what they are, how they got to be this way, cataloguing tradition, ritual, culture, the value and ethical system they grew up in.
As we all know the world is changing. Globalization is a movement that is spiraling exponentially out of our imagination as to its effects. What will the world be like in twenty years? It is difficult to fathom. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to preserve a picture of these changes, as they happen. This information is not only of value to our current generation, but to future generations to come. It is of tremendous significance for a better understanding of how things will have come to be the way they will be. In this time of rapid and accelerated change, it is of even more importance to have informed global citizens, educated voters, and aware individuals who will be more capable and proficient in deciding the best route for the future of our planet and civilization.
Empathy is a visionary project, aimed at the highest good of the greatest percentage of humanity's population. I am dedicated to positive change and the conscious shaping of our society as we transform in this precarious millennium position. |
