I flicked on the telly in an idle moment last night and came across "Toughest place to be..." on BBC1 which was all about a London bus driver going to Manila. (UK readers can watch it here until Sun 6th March). Apart from the moments when BBC2 disappeared in a noisy snow storm, I watched it avidly for two reasons: I came of age as a car driver when I lived there in 91-92 so there was a certain nostalgia value to it. However it was as much about the people involved; Josh West from London and his Filipino counterpart, Rogelio Castro who drives a jeepney, an elongated jeep with inward facing side seats.
Josh obviously was quite taken aback to hear the Castros' story - I switched on at a point where they were sat in a cheap burger chain and Rogelio was talking about not being able to take the grandchildren there when there is no money. I was simply amazed that he could go at all, given how little he earns. Manila was the first place where I really stared poverty in the eye and it looks like Josh did too and failed to remain unmoved.
The thing that really struck me though was Josh ruminating on what separated him and Rogelio; given their similarity of upbringing and profession it was little more than an accident of birthplace.
How often do we stop to think about the huge advantages we have been born into - the mere fact that you have access to an electronic device to read this I suspect allows me to include you in a similar band of privilege to myself. How grateful are we for this birthright, for the benefits that come with life in the 1/3 of the world that has. I've been complaining regularly and loudly about BT failing to repair my landline within any of their promised deadlines but hey, I've got a mobile as well so whats the problem. Not to mention a roof and warmth, food and electricity.
Josh went home to discover that driving in London was ludicrously easy but also that he wanted to do something to help the Rogelio's of this world; to organise sponsored events, to be able to send money halfway round the world - which is actually a typically Filipino thing to do.
Last week I talked about saying thank you to people who have been important in your life. This week I find myself writing about the poorest people that we've never met who have had little or no impact on us but that doesn't mean we can ignore them. The world might, the media does regularly but if it moves us, if it makes us realise how'fortunate' we are, what action does it inspire in us and require of us?
Josh obviously was quite taken aback to hear the Castros' story - I switched on at a point where they were sat in a cheap burger chain and Rogelio was talking about not being able to take the grandchildren there when there is no money. I was simply amazed that he could go at all, given how little he earns. Manila was the first place where I really stared poverty in the eye and it looks like Josh did too and failed to remain unmoved.
The thing that really struck me though was Josh ruminating on what separated him and Rogelio; given their similarity of upbringing and profession it was little more than an accident of birthplace.
How often do we stop to think about the huge advantages we have been born into - the mere fact that you have access to an electronic device to read this I suspect allows me to include you in a similar band of privilege to myself. How grateful are we for this birthright, for the benefits that come with life in the 1/3 of the world that has. I've been complaining regularly and loudly about BT failing to repair my landline within any of their promised deadlines but hey, I've got a mobile as well so whats the problem. Not to mention a roof and warmth, food and electricity.
Josh went home to discover that driving in London was ludicrously easy but also that he wanted to do something to help the Rogelio's of this world; to organise sponsored events, to be able to send money halfway round the world - which is actually a typically Filipino thing to do.
Last week I talked about saying thank you to people who have been important in your life. This week I find myself writing about the poorest people that we've never met who have had little or no impact on us but that doesn't mean we can ignore them. The world might, the media does regularly but if it moves us, if it makes us realise how'fortunate' we are, what action does it inspire in us and require of us?
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