tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post1217541694790510247..comments2024-03-28T16:30:38.394-04:00Comments on MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS: {Like Princess Diana, I also Tried to Tackle the Leprosy Stigma}Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-19077893330108818312014-01-01T21:51:15.211-05:002014-01-01T21:51:15.211-05:00Dearest John,
Thanks for taking the time to reply ...Dearest John,<br />Thanks for taking the time to reply here. Oh, those trips to the Sitanala Leprosy village and to the hospital we made several times and we never worried about being infected. Later, much later I learned that it is highly contagious by coughing, just like Tuberculosis. But we always trusted that somebody from above would be protecting us. It has changed our lives and still, we wish we could further change the public stigma. It very seldom reaches the media in a way that it would be educational and it almost looks like the world is rushing on, busy with its own things of want without ever looking back at those left behind... It is because of people like you that call for some attention via social media, mentioning also the great work that Rotary has been doing. Thanks again.<br />May God Bless You Always!<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-23821172928652483882014-01-01T06:24:52.731-05:002014-01-01T06:24:52.731-05:00Wow.... great article and I enjoyed reading this.....Wow.... great article and I enjoyed reading this... On my first visit to the Sitanala Leprosy village for data and survey, I was warned by some of the resident for the possibility to be infected by them, but I just smiled to them as my 'mission' is to help them to change the public stigma they are facing. I visited their houses, talked to them. listened to their plight, and seat on their chairs... and since then, a frequent visit to the village and be friend with them. You can feel their enthusiasm for a changed and see their bright faces when fitted with the new prostheses. During the period 125 prostheses were ordered and fitted to the ex patients of the hospital that are living in the Sintanala Village located adjacent to the Sintanala Hospital. This is the work of Rotary with the motto: Service Above Self.<br />Thanks Mariette... God Bless You.John H.G.Soehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12595850309287655619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-86175781438480468312013-12-27T12:14:19.661-05:002013-12-27T12:14:19.661-05:00Liebe Sara,
Ein voriger Kommentar gab es leider ni...Liebe Sara,<br />Ein voriger Kommentar gab es leider nicht... ist möglich etwas schief gelaufen.<br />Es gibt indertat sehr vieles was ein jeder tun kann auf diese Welt, im eigenen Kreis oder für die ärmere dritte Welt.<br />Du schreibst von den Fakt das in Deutschland jeder Fünfte von Armut bedroht ist. Da wird aber gemessen mit ein Einkommen von etwa EURO 20,000 pro Person! Also im Vergleich mit die dritte Welt ist das noch sehr reich. http://bit.ly/Ka03pC<br />Den Link zur Lebensbedingungen, Armutsgefährdung ist wirklich noch grosszügig im Vergleich mit was wir beiden erlebt haben in vielen Ländern.<br />Definitionen der Armut sind sehr unterschiedlich zwischen den Nationen. Reiche Nationen haben z. B. in der Regel großzügiger Standards der Armut als armen Nationen können.<br />http://1.usa.gov/1dIesBQ - Hier werden alle Länder der Welt gelistet.<br />In Deutschland wird z. B. erwähnt dass man nicht auf Ferien kann... dass kommt ja in die dritte Welt überhaupt nicht in Frage. Ihr Anliegen ist über die Grundlagen für das Überleben minus alle Luxus. <br />In der westlichen Welt gibt es viel Egoismus, wie jeder Mensch Recht hat auf bestimmte persönliche Luxus. In der dritten Welt teilen oft drei Generationen miteinander was eine Person im Westen als seine minimale Mittel behauptet... Wir können über dieses endlos diskutieren, aber eins ist sicher. Das Westen ist nicht glücklicher, entsprechend der hohen Rate von Selbstmord. Und persönliches Glück ist im Allgemeinen höher in der dritten Welt, vielleicht sollten wir es mit ihren Lebensstil und Zufriedenheit mal vergleichen...<br />Geniesse das letzte Wochenende vom Jahr.<br />Lieber Gruss,<br />Mariette<br />Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-18516996602415826702013-12-26T17:10:35.730-05:002013-12-26T17:10:35.730-05:00Liebe Mariette,
ich finde meinen Kommentar hier au...Liebe Mariette,<br />ich finde meinen Kommentar hier auch nicht. Seltsam! Ja, ich hatte alles gelesen und auch ein paar Zeilen geschrieben. <br />Ich finde es schön, daß Du in den Spuren der unvergessenen Lady Diana wandeltest. Daran sollte sich jeder ein Beispiel nehmen. Wer nichts Gutes tut, dem wird auch das Gute nicht widerfahren oder andersherum - alles was man aus freiem und gutem Herzen gibt, kommt doppelt auf einen zurück.<br />Das ist meine Devise schon seit vielen Jahren. Und da gibt es so viele Baustellen, wo man helfen kann. Sei es bei den Kindern armer Leute innerhalb der eigenen Stadt, denen man regelmäßig ein wenig Geld zukommen läßt oder daß man kostenlos Kinder armer Eltern stundenweise betreut, alte Menschen im Altersheim regelmäßig besucht oder an die Tafeln (die hier bei uns Arme mit kostenlosem Essen versorgen) - nahe vor der Haustür schon gibt es so viel Elend und Leid! Wenn jeder sich darauf besinnen würde, nicht nur an Weihnachten, sähe unsere Welt ein Stückchen besser aus!<br /><br />Wir schrieben ja schon mal über dieses Thema und auch wenn es im Ausland nicht so ankommt, so ist es doch fakt, daß hier auch schon jeder Fünfte von Armut bedroht ist!<br /><br />http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article123023078/Fast-jeder-Fuenfte-ist-von-Armut-betroffen.html<br /><br />Es geht auch um soziale Teilhabe und Ausgrenzung, das ist bei uns in Good Old Germany besonders schlimm!<br /><br />Was Google+ betrifft - ich möchte diese totale Kontrolle nicht und werde ganz sicher nicht mehr sehr lange mit meinen Blogs online sein, besonders dann, wenn es nur noch über Google+ läuft. Meine Zeit fürs Bloggen wird immer weniger und wenn ich einmal wieder neu starte, dann mit selbstgehostetem Blog, das ist mir tausendmal lieber. Man kann das dann über einen eigenen Home-Server laufen lassen und braucht dann freilich eine eigene Domain. Wordpress finde ich außerdem komfortabler als die Blogger-Blogs.<br />Noch bin ich aber hier ...<br /><br />Liebe Weihnachtsgrüße<br />Sara<br />Sara - Waldgartenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15970139235219153018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-92068430335849693732013-12-22T08:31:34.099-05:002013-12-22T08:31:34.099-05:00Dearest Ginger,
Touching and profound it sure is a...Dearest Ginger,<br />Touching and profound it sure is and also I had to get this off my chest so to speak. After having been there several times, one is for life affected by it...<br />What struck us most is that those people were in a way 'happy' because they belief in a life after this! One could learn a lot from them.<br />You both also a Blessed Christmas and all the best.<br />Hugs and love to you and Bob.<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-18537656626915105062013-12-22T08:28:09.317-05:002013-12-22T08:28:09.317-05:00Dearest Pallavi,
We never felt like it would take ...Dearest Pallavi,<br />We never felt like it would take courage but we just DID it as someone needs to step in and fight for these underdogs. They have no voice and for sure they have no smart phones either (I did not either at the time of those visits...).<br />But thank you for your kind words!<br />Hugs,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-63271611361863879892013-12-22T00:34:11.452-05:002013-12-22T00:34:11.452-05:00Dearest Mariette, This is a touching and profound ...Dearest Mariette, This is a touching and profound post. This mission was truly our Christ operating in the flesh. This is the true spirit of Christmas. Thank you so much for sharing this mission of love for those poor souls. But you know, they are joyously elevated and whole in the eyes of our Lord.<br />Sending you best wishes and our sincere affection for a Blessed Christmas.<br />Love to you and Pieter,<br />GingerSavannah Grannyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14696512605529986289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-19066032482530465032013-12-21T23:36:55.587-05:002013-12-21T23:36:55.587-05:00It takes courage to do something like this dear Ma...It takes courage to do something like this dear Mariette and i respect you for it . How very nice of you to tackle this to share awareness and raise the much needed funds. You are amazing!Pallavihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692961346175486695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-58074631303122560322013-12-21T16:00:53.103-05:002013-12-21T16:00:53.103-05:00Dearest Joan,
Oh, you speak from the heart and it ...Dearest Joan,<br />Oh, you speak from the heart and it is all about how we treat the children, elderly and pets. "We can judge the heart of a person by the way they treat their animals." ~ unknown<br />The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" ~Gandhi (1869-1948)<br />From that all other morals take shape... <br />You do have a HUGE and CARING heart yourself and let's hope it does have a ripple effect in life and that it will stimulate others to do the same or else, to support those that do good.<br />Sending you hugs and thanks for your visit and kind words!<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-72361955858706773322013-12-21T15:05:31.944-05:002013-12-21T15:05:31.944-05:00Dearest Stacy,
Thank you so much for your touching...Dearest Stacy,<br />Thank you so much for your touching words...<br />Certainly you can speak from experience, you've lived abroad and traveled enough yourself. That makes us instantly rich inside our hearts and that will last us a lifetime but it is so hard for sharing that with the multitude... Even family often has no clue what all those feelings and emotions are about. The vast majority of people kind of suppress any emotion with giving in to the commercialism of feeding by wanting, wanting always more. That never will satisfy for long as you only want more and more.<br />We feel blessed for being content with our simple life and yet we feel tremendously blessed and rich inside!<br />Hugs and Merry Christmas to you and yours!<br />Mariette<br />PS As for my tenacity, Pieter often has called me a Pitbull; I seldom let go when fighting for something like this... But I will not BITE!Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-59319712874097315532013-12-21T14:59:45.730-05:002013-12-21T14:59:45.730-05:00Dearest Tammy,
You are the embodiment of sharing a...Dearest Tammy,<br />You are the embodiment of sharing and reaching out to so many and it IS rewarding for living a simple life. Hence the title of your blog and mine...<br />We can only pray that more people will open their eyes!<br />You too, enjoy being together during this special holiday.<br />Hugs and peace,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-27838553927193621452013-12-21T14:57:36.308-05:002013-12-21T14:57:36.308-05:00Querida Enma,
Oh, esto sólo viene natural, ambos n...Querida Enma,<br />Oh, esto sólo viene natural, ambos no somos gente que puede mirar para otro lado, tenemos un fuerte impulso a hacer algo y a informar a los demás para actuar así. Tú eres un'amiga querida y muy amable.<br />Abrazos,<br />Mariette<br />Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-42759659357290069812013-12-21T12:22:18.486-05:002013-12-21T12:22:18.486-05:00I admire your spirit and tenacity, Mariette. I'...I admire your spirit and tenacity, Mariette. I've traveled quite a bit as well, and it's not always as glamorous as people think. My hat's off to you! Merry Christmas! <3Stacy https://www.blogger.com/profile/06834727224175259800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-78626549165245781532013-12-21T09:54:32.085-05:002013-12-21T09:54:32.085-05:00This was a very informative, enlightening and hear...This was a very informative, enlightening and heartwrenching post. You both should be so proud of the work you were able to do over the years and the lives you were able to touch. That really is what life is all about. Giving back, making a difference. If only everyone in the world would open their eyes and see just how good they have it. If only everyone could share and live in peace? If only everyone could realize that more is not better. The world would be a better place. There's something to be said for living a simple life. Wishing you and Pieter the happiest of holidays. Tammy Tammy@T's Daily Treasureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01474928708908027789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-12383275327469983162013-12-21T03:35:40.457-05:002013-12-21T03:35:40.457-05:00Hola Mariette:
Se ve en estas fotografías que eres...Hola Mariette:<br />Se ve en estas fotografías que eres una persona de gran corazón. Te elicito por ser así y me felicito por conocerte y ser tu amiga. Un gran abrazo desde España.Enmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09673194244296847680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-78797376098493791362013-12-21T02:15:22.698-05:002013-12-21T02:15:22.698-05:00Dearest Mariette
Princess Diana did some amazing w...Dearest Mariette<br />Princess Diana did some amazing work by what she did here. To override a stigma is very powerful and she inspired me so much by what she did. I'm sure these were some of the best days of her life. And how blessed and fortunate you and Pieter were to go in and do more of that same humanitarian work. What a difference it makes in this world! I don't think it matters whether you're dealing with humans or animals... giving from your heart and soul can become addictive in lack of a better word. You want to do more because you see what a difference it makes to those poor souls on the receiving end. And you feel so frustrated when you can't do more. I have so often thought of a line from the movie "Schindlers List" if you ever saw it. It's towards the end of the movie where the Jews thanks Schindler for all the lives he saved and he breaks down weeping whilst he keeps saying; "I could have done more... I could have saved more lives." Maybe I deal with smaller souls but I constantly feel this... I wish I could have done more. You did something beautiful and significant here Mariette. Thank you for sharing this special story. God's Little Peoplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15653169493941824939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-40644681748970558882013-12-20T18:25:42.668-05:002013-12-20T18:25:42.668-05:00Carissima Anna,
Grazie per le gentili parole. Imma...Carissima Anna,<br />Grazie per le gentili parole. Immagino che quelli con potenti hanno la loro ricchezza e si preoccupano solo raccogliendo più, così raramente guardano al 'piccolo' popolo... Abbiamo almeno cercato di fare qualcosa per queste povere anime e Dio solo sa, ogni piccolo gesto potrebbe avere un effetto; in qualche modo e qualche giorno. <br />Vi auguro un bel Natale con tutta la tua famiglia e rilassarti dopo tanto lavoro duro!<br />Baci,<br />Mariette<br />Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-31583887900255135592013-12-20T18:13:24.650-05:002013-12-20T18:13:24.650-05:00Cara Mariette,ci vorrebbero più persone come voi a...Cara Mariette,ci vorrebbero più persone come voi al mondo...le cose andrebbero meglio!<br />Ma i governi,i politici..non fanno nulla? E' assurdo che i potenti non facciano qualcosa...<br />Ti lascio con un abbraccio e ti ripeto che sei una persona splendida e altruista<br />Cari auguri per un sereno Natale a voi...e a tutti i bisognosi!<br />Con affetto e stima<br />AnnaAnnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05883883167901036481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-14310752783098720072013-12-20T17:25:40.434-05:002013-12-20T17:25:40.434-05:00Dearest Astrid,
Oh, this has had such tremendous i...Dearest Astrid,<br />Oh, this has had such tremendous impact on our lives! We never will complain because we all live in heaven compared to those poor souls. And it is the truth that the entire world is just ignoring them; they don't exist and nobody speaks out on their behalf. It is very seldom that you find a kind hearted journalist willing to write about them... We could all pull together and do away with the stigma, that would make them at least human again.<br />Hugs,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-67641585753912202732013-12-20T16:58:34.625-05:002013-12-20T16:58:34.625-05:00We live a good life and forget to be thankful for ...We live a good life and forget to be thankful for it.<br />We forget all the poor and sick people and complain that our money is not enough to buy everything we want.<br />It is important to read posts like yours at times. It makes you think!<br />Hugs!<br />AstridAstridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13767930515334881562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-51596497841649347232013-12-20T14:13:36.772-05:002013-12-20T14:13:36.772-05:00Dearest Jim,
Thank you and yes, maybe the ripple e...Dearest Jim,<br />Thank you and yes, maybe the ripple effect for those people, with the photos given by us to them will hold on to their rare moment of being 'human'... and treated like one and not shunned or treated like outcast. <br />It certainly has made a tremendous impact on our way of thinking about true values in life and what really is important!<br />Hugs,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-85789630655118319122013-12-20T14:11:09.480-05:002013-12-20T14:11:09.480-05:00Beste Marianne,
Ja, Princes Diana was een belangri...Beste Marianne,<br />Ja, Princes Diana was een belangrijke publieke persoonlijkheid die véél goed heeft gedaan om de aandacht te vragen voor deze dringende problemen. Een geweldige Beschermvrouwe was zij voor Engeland en Wales voor de leprozen.<br />Maar Pieter en ik hopen dat elk beetje iets kan doen om anderen te laten zien wat er gaande is in deze grote wereld die door de social media wel kleine is geworden maar ook vaak meer geïsoleerd. Ieder leeft in zijn eigen bubble... <br />Ja heel terecht zei een vrouwelijke Purser van de KLM ooit: 'Wij kennen enkel nog WELVAARTSPROBLEMEN'. Dat is zó waar! Geklaag over inderdaad onbenullige zaken als je dat meer objektief bekijkt in het weleld perspektief.<br />Jullie ook een hele fijne, warme en betekenisvolle Kerst en een gezond 2014!<br />Liefs,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-39234156536508066312013-12-20T14:04:17.711-05:002013-12-20T14:04:17.711-05:00Dearest Rose Marie,
This certainly did teach us in...Dearest Rose Marie,<br />This certainly did teach us in a rather strong way that there HAS to be more than this earthly life and we both are really convinced of that. So many people would otherwise have no fair chance in this earthly life. It struck both of us how these Leprosy sufferers often still had a smile of happiness and when I asked them they replied: 'We believe in a better life after this...!' Poor souls, how do they find the strength to bear their daily burden?! We all have nothing to complain as we have far than enough of what we need. Yet during the Christmas season the commercialism pushes humanity in the western world ever further for spending, wanting and feeding the decaying disease of 'GREED'.<br />May you and your dear family also have a peaceful and meaningful Christmas!<br />Hugs,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-38991538387019942972013-12-20T13:53:30.096-05:002013-12-20T13:53:30.096-05:00Liebe Julia,
Danke für deine liebe Wörter und ja w...Liebe Julia,<br />Danke für deine liebe Wörter und ja wenn man so direkt etwas geben kann ohne Verlust was immer so verloren geht an sogenante Administrationskosten (???) dann funktioniert es auch besser. Die Menschen waren wirklich so dankbar für ein Wort und etwas persönlicher Andacht den sie sonst überhaupt nicht erfahren. Leider ist es noch immer ein Stigma und so wenige die sich dafür einsetzen um es auf zu heben!<br />Auch euch wünsche ich einen sehr bedeutungsvoller und warmes, friedliches Weihnachtsfest und Neues Jahr mit guter Gesundheid!<br />Lieber Gruss,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974466215163623524.post-88645668698886399752013-12-20T13:48:21.678-05:002013-12-20T13:48:21.678-05:00Liebe Traude,
Ja, ich habe es auch gelesen über di...Liebe Traude,<br />Ja, ich habe es auch gelesen über diese isolierte Inseln wo die Ärmsten ohne Liebe oder Mitgefühl ihr Ende abwarten sollten... Fast jedes Land hatte solche Inseln und es ist erst seid Jahrzehnten dass es anerkennt wird sie seien nicht gefährlich für die Umwelt. Aber meistens leben sie aber nur vom betteln da keiner sie nimmt zur Arbeit.<br />Hoffentlich kommt entlich mal Begriff für diese Leprosen.<br />Es war fast zuviel um an zu sehen aber wir haben es immer mit Liebe gemacht und hoffen nur auf Mitgefühl von anderen damit auch entlich was getan wird.<br />Dir und Deine Lieben auch ein sehr bedeutungsvoller Weihnachtsfest!<br />Lieber Gruss,<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.com