What I Am Thankful for…

by Sedef Onder | November 24, 2009 | 12 Comments

… Fresh Direct. And the pizza guy. So I can order food without ever leaving the house. Especially when it’s rainy or cold out.Fresh Direct

Every year, 15 million children die of hunger. One of twelve people worldwide is malnourished, including 160 million children under the age of five. Roughly 790 million people in the developing world are chronically under-nourished, nearly two-thirds of whom reside in Asia and the Pacific (UN Food and Agriculture; World Resources Institute).

Of the 1.9 billion children in the developing world, 640 million, or 1 in 3, are without adequate shelter (UNICEF).

Drinks… Drinks. Of all kinds really. But especially as many tall glasses of clear, cool water as I can drink, every day, whenever I’m thirsty.

Without food, a person can survive for weeks; without water, for only a few days.

400 million children in the developing world, or 1 in every 5, have no access to safe, clean water (UNICEF). 3.575 million people die every year from a water-related disease; 98% of these deaths occur in the developing world, and 84% to children 14 and younger (WHO).

… A relaxing shower. Every morning. And maybe another one after the gym.

An average of about 85% of the richest 20% of the world’s population has access to household plumbing, compared with 25% of the poorest 20%. Millions of women and children in the developing world spend several hours every day collecting water from distant, often polluted, sources (WHO, UN Human Development Report 2006).

… A kindle. Well, my business partner’s thankful for that one. But, my wall-to-wall bookcase is stacked to the ceiling with cherished books of every kind. I can read them all twice. Or not at all.Bookcase_final

UNICEF reports 121 million children worldwide are without education. And 10.6 million died in 2003 before reaching the age of 5.

About 72 million school-age children in the developing world weren’t in school in 2005; 57% of them were girls. These are “optimistic” numbers based on enrollment data from the Millenium Development Goals Report for 2007.

… My bedside lamp. So I can read by its bright glow, through the night until dawn, if I choose.

1.6 people globally – a quarter of humanity – live without electricity (GlobalIssues.org).

… Sickdays. Not that I ever use them really. I almost never get sick. My longest-ever hospital stay was to get crutches for a sprained ankle after my high-school basketball game.

An estimated 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, with 3 million deaths in 2004. Worldwide, 15 million children are orphaned each year due to HIV/AIDS (UNICEF).

Every year, there are 350-500 million cases of malaria, with 1 million deaths. Africa is the source of 90% of malarial deaths and African children account for more than 80% of malaria victims worldwide (2007 Human Development Report, UN Development Program).

Internet… The Internet. Seriously, where would I be without computers, smart phones and 24/7 access to the Internet. And, for my wireless router, so I can be online from any room in my house at any time, day or night.

It’s a tragedy that I’ve not put this ubiquitous access and time to better use. I’m going to start with a donation online today. Will you?


This post was created as part of a global groundswell of gratitude called TweetsGiving.  In conjunction with 12for12K, this celebration, created by U.S. non-profit Epic Change, is an experiment in social innovation that seeks to change the world through the power of gratitude.  Join us: http://tweetsgiving.epicchange.org/

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Comments

12 Responses to “What I Am Thankful for…”

  1. CTK1
    November 24th, 2009 @ 12:10 pm

    The pizza guy never knew what hit ‘em! I hope you tipped him well… I’m sure you did, he looks happy. Great post Sedef! I love the way you weave in and out of your own personal world and into the global world. Terrific and thank you for sharing!Keep the bedside lamp lit!

  2. Roger Hjulstrom (booksbelow)
    November 24th, 2009 @ 12:14 pm

    Really nice, and obviously a lot of research went into this. I love how you tie the things we take for granted to what others don’t have.

  3. Jeanne Veillette Bowerman @jeannevb
    November 24th, 2009 @ 1:31 pm

    Beautifully said. Thank you for reminding me how spoiled my life really is. I am grateful.

  4. Nini Baseema
    November 24th, 2009 @ 1:39 pm

    Wow- this is impressive too! Very well composed, written and researched. BIG THUMBS UP and a huge hug!

  5. Sedef Onder
    November 24th, 2009 @ 1:58 pm

    Thanks for gracing the post w/your presence Tina, being that you’re the reason it was written at all. And thanks for bringing much-needed perspective into my life about what’s really important – and here, I’m mainly talking about the laughter. For THAT, I’m thankful.

  6. Sedef Onder
    November 24th, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

    Hi Roger,
    Thanks for noticing that. Nice to see your bright face here too. Maybe someday, you’ll let me steal a book or two from one of your shelves ;) .

  7. Sedef Onder
    November 24th, 2009 @ 2:16 pm

    It’s easy to forget that we’re all a bit spoiled actually, Jeanne. thanks for stopping by..

  8. Sedef Onder
    November 24th, 2009 @ 2:22 pm

    Thanks Nini…appreciate your kind thoughts. I’m glad we’re newfound friends. And just so everyone knows, all the stats were basically pulled from 1 or maybe 2 sources total (!). Always manage to keep research shortcuts up my sleeve ;) .

  9. Deron J Triff
    November 25th, 2009 @ 8:35 am

    Sedef

    You are so right. This one is going on my refrigerator door (a prestigious placement!). Through a social venture I set-up, we help Change Agents tell their stories and mobilize support around the world. I am deeply grateful this Thanksgiving for the opportunity to help some of these amazing people solve social and environmental problems in their own unique, exciting ways.

    I will direct others to your post. Thanks again.

    Deron Triff
    CEO
    Changents.com

  10. Sedef Onder
    November 25th, 2009 @ 12:53 pm

    Hi Deron,

    I very much appreciate your weighing in, and will take a closer look at your social venture. I’m interested to learn more about your mission. I’m also honored to be on display in your kitchen ;-) . Thanks for spreading the word..

  11. Karen Quah
    November 26th, 2009 @ 3:00 pm

    Wonderful post, Sedef. Love the relevance. And yet you’ve managed to keep it personal. It’s good to be reminded every now and again just how much we take for granted. Thank you.

  12. Sedef Onder
    November 27th, 2009 @ 6:19 pm

    Completely agree; this holiday is one big reminder. Thanks for reading, Karen. Hope you and yours are managing to enjoy the long weekend.

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