Heal me O Lord
And I will be healed
Save me and I will be save
Heal me O Lord
And I will be healed
For You are the One I praise
You are the One I praise
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Reflecting on Public Health Genetics and areas Christians can serve
Having to read the stories of families with genetic disease, their real life battles, I was lost in the waves of painful memories......
Neither me or my family had been diagnosed any genetic disease, yet the similar experiences of having someone dear passed away, either expected or unexpected; experiences of cold shoulder treatment of insensitive healthcare professionals, being ignored and treated as naive child; experience to wait in a hospital for hours after the appointment time; scheduled for appointments several months later while the condition was urgent and worrying; experiences of not having anyone to talk to, being shut off of communications and proper care...... all of these added to remorse feeling and guilt for the bereaved.
Public Health Genetics had helped me to understand the needs of care to the patients. Reading their stories, positive or negative led me to come to a conclusion, it is about how much do we care, and how we are going to live with it? There is a choice to be made, as the patient survived. Are we going to live with him/her just as any normal person, or are we going to grief and regret all the time for his/her condition?
Prenatal screening is widely available these days, thus give parents a reproductive choice. But having very limited knowledge and prejudice over an issue might lead to a regretful decision. Many people are struggling in searching the meaning of life, many people point towards genetic mutations as a mistake or imperfection. How we Christians respond to these questions? Are we equipped with knowledge in truth and love? Are we able to walk with them through times of difficulties and frustrations?
In most countries, the states/institutions do not have enough support in terms of care and finance. Churches and non-profit organizations need to take notes on this.
A mother who had a son with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT) commented as she learned about someone's decision to terminate her pregnancy as the fetus were diagnosed CMT, " All I kept thinking was, if given the opportunity at the time, I had thought the same and terminated my pregnancy with my son, I would have missed out on a lovely person being part of my life."
A mother who had a mild-Down Syndrome girl said, " We've found out that there is a lot we can do to help our daughter reach her full potential, as you would with any other child, and there is hope for the future...... My daughter has a much more positive future than those neglected and abused."
Having said, there were a lot of things that they had to face as they came to this statement. What do you think, soldier of Christ? There are a lot of things that we can do in this field! Doctors, nurses, mid-wives, physiotherapists, there are ways that you can get to know these people personally, be with them and walk with them. Make a difference in the medical field! Let us have more Christian workers in Medicine!
Re: www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk/tellingstories/index.asp
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
HIV & AIDS
It was a long break for me, being away from "public health"...... However, I read an amazing article by George Verwer about HIV/AIDS. Here is it......
The global crisis of HIV and AIDs in almost beyond description. I’m sure you have read articles with the statistics, and like me, you find them overwhelming.
I have been involved in this battle for about for about five years with a strong emphasis on prayer and I believe we have seen specific answers to prayer. We have seen more nations, churches and key people become proactive and committed to the task.
The Christian and secular media are giving this much more coverage and the biggest influence on me over years is what I have read in news magazine. The November 7th, 2005 issue of TIME is the best issue I have seen that features the global health crisis, especially HIV/AIDs.
Three years ago I became involved with The Judah Trust who are committed to prayer mobilisation. They have a book that will soon be off the press in partnership with OM India Literature. It is a key book that needs to go into many languages and flooded out around the world.
Patrick Dixon spoke at our General Council meetings about four years ago and made a great impact. It is exciting to see different OM Fields getting in to the action, especially South Africa, India and the ships. We have a long way to go, but I believe we have made the major turn in the right direction.
Rosemary Hack is now helping coordinate the HIV/AIDs response within OM and we in Special Projects are staying in touch with her.
Our ministry in Special Projects is mobilising people to pray, given and get involved. We have had unique opportunities to speak to hundreds of thousands of people, especially if we include radio, video and TV exposure. We have sponsored the book Aids & You and The Truth About Aids (a much larger book). We have purchased large quantities of other publications and distributed them widely.
To be honest, we have found it very hard to raise funds for this ministry. There still seems to be a huge amount of confusion or apathy about the whole crisis. I believe that every believer in the church should be able to give something.
How should we respond to this global emergency?
1. Let’s receive the truth and vision into our hearts. Let us, as the Word of God says, “Weep with those that weep.”
2. Let us engage in more specific prayer, especially for those infected and those working among them. Pray for the wide range of preventative action.
3. Pray for the release of greatly needed finance. We can be proactive ourselves in giving and motivating others to give. Challenge the leaders of your church to have an HIV/AIDs Sunday when the need is shared and an offering is taken.
4. Try to visit an HIV/AIDs Hospice or ministry. Try to have some HIV friends, demonstrate the love and reality of Jesus.
5. Pray for workers to go into HIV/AIDs related ministries. Be willing to consider this possibility yourself.
6. Read at least one or two books and collect articles from the press on the subject. Check out related websites.
7. Get involved in distributing information and materials that can awaken people and get involved in prevention.
8. A number of key articles have emphasized the need for the right information and all of us can be more informed and more active in passing on vital information to others. In the end, it will save lives and people will come to know Jesus!
9. Get tested for HIV/AIDs especially if you think there is any chance whatsoever that you were infected.
It is important for us to see how our own life and ministry fit into all of this. We all have different ministries but I believe that if we are faithful to the Lord in whatever we are doing that in the end it helps in this great battle.
I still believe the greatest thing we can do is pray and bring men and women to a knowledge of the Saviour.
HIV & AIDS
The global crisis of HIV and AIDs in almost beyond description. I’m sure you have read articles with the statistics, and like me, you find them overwhelming.
I have been involved in this battle for about for about five years with a strong emphasis on prayer and I believe we have seen specific answers to prayer. We have seen more nations, churches and key people become proactive and committed to the task.
The Christian and secular media are giving this much more coverage and the biggest influence on me over years is what I have read in news magazine. The November 7th, 2005 issue of TIME is the best issue I have seen that features the global health crisis, especially HIV/AIDs.
Three years ago I became involved with The Judah Trust who are committed to prayer mobilisation. They have a book that will soon be off the press in partnership with OM India Literature. It is a key book that needs to go into many languages and flooded out around the world.
Patrick Dixon spoke at our General Council meetings about four years ago and made a great impact. It is exciting to see different OM Fields getting in to the action, especially South Africa, India and the ships. We have a long way to go, but I believe we have made the major turn in the right direction.
Rosemary Hack is now helping coordinate the HIV/AIDs response within OM and we in Special Projects are staying in touch with her.
Our ministry in Special Projects is mobilising people to pray, given and get involved. We have had unique opportunities to speak to hundreds of thousands of people, especially if we include radio, video and TV exposure. We have sponsored the book Aids & You and The Truth About Aids (a much larger book). We have purchased large quantities of other publications and distributed them widely.
To be honest, we have found it very hard to raise funds for this ministry. There still seems to be a huge amount of confusion or apathy about the whole crisis. I believe that every believer in the church should be able to give something.
How should we respond to this global emergency?
1. Let’s receive the truth and vision into our hearts. Let us, as the Word of God says, “Weep with those that weep.”
2. Let us engage in more specific prayer, especially for those infected and those working among them. Pray for the wide range of preventative action.
3. Pray for the release of greatly needed finance. We can be proactive ourselves in giving and motivating others to give. Challenge the leaders of your church to have an HIV/AIDs Sunday when the need is shared and an offering is taken.
4. Try to visit an HIV/AIDs Hospice or ministry. Try to have some HIV friends, demonstrate the love and reality of Jesus.
5. Pray for workers to go into HIV/AIDs related ministries. Be willing to consider this possibility yourself.
6. Read at least one or two books and collect articles from the press on the subject. Check out related websites.
7. Get involved in distributing information and materials that can awaken people and get involved in prevention.
8. A number of key articles have emphasized the need for the right information and all of us can be more informed and more active in passing on vital information to others. In the end, it will save lives and people will come to know Jesus!
9. Get tested for HIV/AIDs especially if you think there is any chance whatsoever that you were infected.
It is important for us to see how our own life and ministry fit into all of this. We all have different ministries but I believe that if we are faithful to the Lord in whatever we are doing that in the end it helps in this great battle.
I still believe the greatest thing we can do is pray and bring men and women to a knowledge of the Saviour.
By George Verwer, November 2005
Monday, May 07, 2007
Health
“Health is a means to get to the end.”
To one, health can be bread on the table.
To one, health can be being able to pay for monthly bills.
To one, health can be strength to studying overnight.
To one, health can be strength to work.
To one, health can be strength for pleasures and fun.
To one, health can be being able to think rationally.
To one, health can be being able to dream.
There isn’t really definite meaning to it, isn’t it? Health is rather relative than absolute.
To one, health can be bread on the table.
To one, health can be being able to pay for monthly bills.
To one, health can be strength to studying overnight.
To one, health can be strength to work.
To one, health can be strength for pleasures and fun.
To one, health can be being able to think rationally.
To one, health can be being able to dream.
There isn’t really definite meaning to it, isn’t it? Health is rather relative than absolute.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Education = Knowledge + Exposures
As my mind linger on education, my mind was brought back to the scene in Koh-Hlau.
There was another tiny island that I visited in that trip. Because the whole island was totally wiped off by Tsunami, it appeared to be clean while compare with Koh-Hlau. A washed away freshness, the village was newly built. The attap houses were fairly new. No rubbish on the sand, or under the house. Not many men left in that village. Most died in Tsunami, some died in the sea. The remaining few went out for fishing in the deep sea, and will not return for a month or two.
The children were inactive, with their bounced out stomach which I afraid that would be mostly the work of parasites, their eyes were curious. When you make a funny face, they will giggle, and turn away.
There was a child, wandering in her naked body. Sometimes she screamed, sometimes she was violent, sometimes she was just a doll. She spit. She looked so tiny, I thought she was only seven.
The villagers told us about her story. They believed that she was demon possessed. Both her parents died. That was one night, she disappeared. When the villagers found her, she was on the mountain, and she was crying. Her mom tried to kill her too, she dug a hole, and buried her alive. Because of the limited of languages, (they speak Moken, and our interpreter was Thai worked with Mokens) we could not get the sequence right.
Hmm... supernatural agencies. There was a lot of hatred in her eyes. She was thirteen. She was insane. What had driven her to this madness? What had happened to her? Demonic or consequences of wrong human doing?
People's explanations for their health and illness are complex. We are able to think about health using the language of scientific medicine because that is part of our cultural heritage. Our common sense could be very different with what other societies and cultures believe.
Treatments would be so different under different perceptions. Ways of thinking about health and disease reflect the basic preoccupations of society, and dominant views of society and the world.
I believe, in this situation, education is a measure that will bring light and hope to these people. Education will work! Plus a clinic to provide basic care for the people. Proper wound treatment will prevent loss of lives in these people.
I felt strange, things that are most common to us, things which we didn't even care, became the most precious things in other societies and cultures. Simple medications like Iodine, was not even available in that place. I was like a stranger, evaluating, learning as I observed.
Knowledge of the existence of "other" society had never caused such impact in me. But the exposure to it did create a strong impact in all of us who participated.
The knowledge did not change our behavior or attitude, but exposure did change us. I think it was same with the Sea-gypsies and the Thai people that we worked with. The knowledge about some strangers coming in to the village would not make a change. But the exposure of being loved and cared did make a change in their lives.
Education, is Knowledge + Exposure.
There was another tiny island that I visited in that trip. Because the whole island was totally wiped off by Tsunami, it appeared to be clean while compare with Koh-Hlau. A washed away freshness, the village was newly built. The attap houses were fairly new. No rubbish on the sand, or under the house. Not many men left in that village. Most died in Tsunami, some died in the sea. The remaining few went out for fishing in the deep sea, and will not return for a month or two.
The children were inactive, with their bounced out stomach which I afraid that would be mostly the work of parasites, their eyes were curious. When you make a funny face, they will giggle, and turn away.
There was a child, wandering in her naked body. Sometimes she screamed, sometimes she was violent, sometimes she was just a doll. She spit. She looked so tiny, I thought she was only seven.
The villagers told us about her story. They believed that she was demon possessed. Both her parents died. That was one night, she disappeared. When the villagers found her, she was on the mountain, and she was crying. Her mom tried to kill her too, she dug a hole, and buried her alive. Because of the limited of languages, (they speak Moken, and our interpreter was Thai worked with Mokens) we could not get the sequence right.
Hmm... supernatural agencies. There was a lot of hatred in her eyes. She was thirteen. She was insane. What had driven her to this madness? What had happened to her? Demonic or consequences of wrong human doing?
People's explanations for their health and illness are complex. We are able to think about health using the language of scientific medicine because that is part of our cultural heritage. Our common sense could be very different with what other societies and cultures believe.
Treatments would be so different under different perceptions. Ways of thinking about health and disease reflect the basic preoccupations of society, and dominant views of society and the world.
I believe, in this situation, education is a measure that will bring light and hope to these people. Education will work! Plus a clinic to provide basic care for the people. Proper wound treatment will prevent loss of lives in these people.
I felt strange, things that are most common to us, things which we didn't even care, became the most precious things in other societies and cultures. Simple medications like Iodine, was not even available in that place. I was like a stranger, evaluating, learning as I observed.
Knowledge of the existence of "other" society had never caused such impact in me. But the exposure to it did create a strong impact in all of us who participated.
The knowledge did not change our behavior or attitude, but exposure did change us. I think it was same with the Sea-gypsies and the Thai people that we worked with. The knowledge about some strangers coming in to the village would not make a change. But the exposure of being loved and cared did make a change in their lives.
Education, is Knowledge + Exposure.
Debate
I think the main debate for the Public Health Promotion is whether or not Education brings changes to Behavior, in promoting Health.
Harry: I think Education is indeed the foundation of promoting health in relative poor regions! Because it takes effect at the root cause in that region. That is the bottom-up effect!
Roseline: Yeah, I think so.
Harry: Legislation is the fastest way to see a cause-relation effect in promotion of public health, but the basic needs of the people should be met. They should have the fundamental education, free of worries of daily needs in life. Legislation is an up-down approach. Neither one should be set aside.
Roseline: Do you mean that both approaches should be implemented simultaneously?
Harry: That's right! But it seems to me that the government only concentrate in one type of approach.
Roseline: Maybe so, maybe not. It depends on how they look at the problems, and how much budget that they are ready to set aside to promote health, or make a change. But why do you have that impression that the government can only focus on one, do you mean "education without legislation" and "legislation without education"?
Harry: I think it is relative. Relative "focused" or relative "ignored".
Roseline: ???
Harry: It's hard to explain though...... I think no government would say that they will completely focus on one, and ignore another. So, I term it "relative". You know? There are some health education courses in school, primary or secondary, but always there would be such phenomena, where the teachers prefer to fill the time with preparing the students towards exam rather than utilize the time to install public health knowledge to the students, presuming that these are not important, for health is viewed to be 2nd, or 4th or 5th important. I know it is weird in saying so, but it seems to me that is the problem.
Roseline: Hmm... I remember that in secondary school, the Education Ministry did implemented a public health time slot into our weekly schedule. Only 45minutes a week. But we had always use that as a revision slot, or play at the field. Honestly, I had never viewed that as important. I didn't even know what it exist? To me, it was perhaps for leisure. It was a useless class to me. I didn't remember anything that I learned from it.
So, education if it was not properly introduced, and not properly being implemented, it's a waste of effort.
Harry: So, what's the problem here? Why the teachers do that?
Roseline: Well, I think they themselves do not know why the system needs to be implemented! Perhaps they just don't know what does it mean public health! And perhaps when it comes to weighting science subjects, mathematics classes with public health classes, they think public health is a much easy subject, and the students should grab by themselves.
Harry: Easy? Do they think that public health is an easy subject? I think it is just that they have not see the what tragics can be brought by disease! And the major problem is, many people think that they have health when they have not! Many people think that disease will not "catch" them.
So, how can we change this opinion? Should we have another SARS? How? How can we change?
Roseline: So, it is about the naive of people. I remembered the tragic of SARS in the hospital was caused by poor hygiene awareness among the hospital staffs. I am aware that the more knowledge that we have about hygiene, the more ignorance we become.
Harry: Well, many hospitals have the legislation or rules for certain procedures. However not many people follow procedures in terms of hygiene or health care methods. That is because of convenience and laziness.
Roseline: So, knowledge does not really bring changes to behavior, isn't it?
Notes: Harry worked for the Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( CDC).
A Tale:
While I was doing my undergraduate course, my secondary school friends invited me out for supper. We used to sit at the mamak store (Indian stores at the road side, with tables and stools on the road, normally with poor hygiene manner). As I sat down and ordered my meal, I found them looking at me suspiciously. Of course then I was uneasy, what happened to you guys? I asked. One smiled, seemed embarrassed," I thought you will never sit and eat with us in the mamak again. You are studying microbiology, aren't you?"
Harry: I think Education is indeed the foundation of promoting health in relative poor regions! Because it takes effect at the root cause in that region. That is the bottom-up effect!
Roseline: Yeah, I think so.
Harry: Legislation is the fastest way to see a cause-relation effect in promotion of public health, but the basic needs of the people should be met. They should have the fundamental education, free of worries of daily needs in life. Legislation is an up-down approach. Neither one should be set aside.
Roseline: Do you mean that both approaches should be implemented simultaneously?
Harry: That's right! But it seems to me that the government only concentrate in one type of approach.
Roseline: Maybe so, maybe not. It depends on how they look at the problems, and how much budget that they are ready to set aside to promote health, or make a change. But why do you have that impression that the government can only focus on one, do you mean "education without legislation" and "legislation without education"?
Harry: I think it is relative. Relative "focused" or relative "ignored".
Roseline: ???
Harry: It's hard to explain though...... I think no government would say that they will completely focus on one, and ignore another. So, I term it "relative". You know? There are some health education courses in school, primary or secondary, but always there would be such phenomena, where the teachers prefer to fill the time with preparing the students towards exam rather than utilize the time to install public health knowledge to the students, presuming that these are not important, for health is viewed to be 2nd, or 4th or 5th important. I know it is weird in saying so, but it seems to me that is the problem.
Roseline: Hmm... I remember that in secondary school, the Education Ministry did implemented a public health time slot into our weekly schedule. Only 45minutes a week. But we had always use that as a revision slot, or play at the field. Honestly, I had never viewed that as important. I didn't even know what it exist? To me, it was perhaps for leisure. It was a useless class to me. I didn't remember anything that I learned from it.
So, education if it was not properly introduced, and not properly being implemented, it's a waste of effort.
Harry: So, what's the problem here? Why the teachers do that?
Roseline: Well, I think they themselves do not know why the system needs to be implemented! Perhaps they just don't know what does it mean public health! And perhaps when it comes to weighting science subjects, mathematics classes with public health classes, they think public health is a much easy subject, and the students should grab by themselves.
Harry: Easy? Do they think that public health is an easy subject? I think it is just that they have not see the what tragics can be brought by disease! And the major problem is, many people think that they have health when they have not! Many people think that disease will not "catch" them.
So, how can we change this opinion? Should we have another SARS? How? How can we change?
Roseline: So, it is about the naive of people. I remembered the tragic of SARS in the hospital was caused by poor hygiene awareness among the hospital staffs. I am aware that the more knowledge that we have about hygiene, the more ignorance we become.
Harry: Well, many hospitals have the legislation or rules for certain procedures. However not many people follow procedures in terms of hygiene or health care methods. That is because of convenience and laziness.
Roseline: So, knowledge does not really bring changes to behavior, isn't it?
Notes: Harry worked for the Center for Disease Prevention and Control ( CDC).
A Tale:
While I was doing my undergraduate course, my secondary school friends invited me out for supper. We used to sit at the mamak store (Indian stores at the road side, with tables and stools on the road, normally with poor hygiene manner). As I sat down and ordered my meal, I found them looking at me suspiciously. Of course then I was uneasy, what happened to you guys? I asked. One smiled, seemed embarrassed," I thought you will never sit and eat with us in the mamak again. You are studying microbiology, aren't you?"
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Confusion of Hikikomori and NEETs
Hikikomori or NEET are often being confused altogether in terms of their nature or interpretation.
Ishikawa Ryoko tried to help us to gain a clearer picture in this confusion. She interviewed people who regard themselves as "hikikomori," and point out the negative effects, especially for such individuals, caused by the confusion of the concepts of "hikikomori" with "NEETs."
"Hikikomori," which refers to youth in a state of social withdrawal, has been noted since the latter half of the 1990s in Japan. In recent years, the concept of "NEETs" has also come to attract attention. "NEETs" refers to young people who are "not in education, employment, or training."
The concept of "hikikomori" has been partly incorporated into discussions about "NEETs," and it is commonly said that the two can be discussed in the same context.
It seems to be some organizations dealing with "hikikomori" have started to support "NEETs."
According to the author, this confusion has a direct effect on individuals who consider themselves to be "hikikomori." Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the two concepts.
In her interviews, what was revealed was that,
Ryoko felt that the current measures for "NEETs," and "hikikomori" are very different. Confusing two concepts will :
1)deprive people suffering from "hikikomori" of the opportunity for recovery
2)lead them to abandon their own efforts voluntarily.
Re: Confusion of the Concepts of "Hikikomori" and "NEETs : Seen from the Perspective of People Who Regard Themselves as "Hikikomori". Ishikawa Ryoko. Tokyo Metropolis University.
The article is in Japanese. Perhpas is good to screen through? And get some idea on how people perceive themselves as "HIkikomori" and "NEET"?
I guess I have to read it before I can comment......
Ishikawa Ryoko tried to help us to gain a clearer picture in this confusion. She interviewed people who regard themselves as "hikikomori," and point out the negative effects, especially for such individuals, caused by the confusion of the concepts of "hikikomori" with "NEETs."
"Hikikomori," which refers to youth in a state of social withdrawal, has been noted since the latter half of the 1990s in Japan. In recent years, the concept of "NEETs" has also come to attract attention. "NEETs" refers to young people who are "not in education, employment, or training."
The concept of "hikikomori" has been partly incorporated into discussions about "NEETs," and it is commonly said that the two can be discussed in the same context.
It seems to be some organizations dealing with "hikikomori" have started to support "NEETs."
According to the author, this confusion has a direct effect on individuals who consider themselves to be "hikikomori." Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish the two concepts.
In her interviews, what was revealed was that,
people who consider themselves to be "hikikomori" see themselves as inferior and withdraw from relationships with others because though they have difficulty working, they worry excessively that "working is the natural state for an adult." Their self-esteem cannot be restored immediately even if they participate in a self-help group. Informants re-construct stories about themselves and their lives and come to see the norm of life-courses in relative terms, and regain self-esteem from this. However, this can lead to a decline in their motivation to start working. Moreover, informants cannot overcome their distrust and fear of society. Therefore, sufferers of "hikikomori" seek a new way of life as they again ask themselves various questions, such as, "why must we work?" "What do I want to do?" "Who am I?" and so on. As they think through these questions, they resolve to make a fresh start. This process of struggle is in essence the process of recovery from "hikikomori."
Ryoko felt that the current measures for "NEETs," and "hikikomori" are very different. Confusing two concepts will :
1)deprive people suffering from "hikikomori" of the opportunity for recovery
2)lead them to abandon their own efforts voluntarily.
Re: Confusion of the Concepts of "Hikikomori" and "NEETs : Seen from the Perspective of People Who Regard Themselves as "Hikikomori". Ishikawa Ryoko. Tokyo Metropolis University.
The article is in Japanese. Perhpas is good to screen through? And get some idea on how people perceive themselves as "HIkikomori" and "NEET"?
I guess I have to read it before I can comment......
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Blank......
In Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin, at the section of Axial Coding, it was stressed that " If one studies structure only, then one learns why but not how certain events occur. If one studies process only, then one understands how persons act/interact but not why.
I find myself had started to reject what comes across my mind, after some extensive research or working on the materials of how to do a "qualitative study"? My mind went "blank". The phrases became "empty" to me.
Perhaps this is because I was trying to digest the teaching materials in the book that stuffs with ideas that I couldn't really comprehend. I can only do this much. I really don't understand what and how to code the data? I need a supervisor on this! I need a teacher to teach me and guide me on my way! How could I possible complete my own research without proper exercise?
Reassembling the data is almost frustrating to me!I don't know a single thing in this, I don't even know how to do it!
HELP!
Therefore, one must study both structure and process to capture the dynamic and evolving nature of events.
I find myself had started to reject what comes across my mind, after some extensive research or working on the materials of how to do a "qualitative study"? My mind went "blank". The phrases became "empty" to me.
Perhaps this is because I was trying to digest the teaching materials in the book that stuffs with ideas that I couldn't really comprehend. I can only do this much. I really don't understand what and how to code the data? I need a supervisor on this! I need a teacher to teach me and guide me on my way! How could I possible complete my own research without proper exercise?
Reassembling the data is almost frustrating to me!I don't know a single thing in this, I don't even know how to do it!
HELP!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
What does it mean by "health"?
In the book "Concept of Heath", it was written, "Seedhouse suggests that the perceptions of health can be combined in a unified theory of health as the foundation for human achievement. Health is thus a means to an end rather than a fix state that a person should aspire to. "
Provided certain central conditions are met, people can be enabled to achieve their potential. Working for health is to create these conditions:
- basic needs of food, drink, shelter, warmth
- access to information about the factors influencing health
- skills and confidence to use that information
People should be able to have health, whatever their circumstances are. However, it doesn't seem to be that easy. "By health I mean the power to live a full, adult, living, breathing life in close contact with what I love... I want to be all that I am capable of becoming." (Mansfield 1977)
Within this context, I don't think many people are healthy in this world.
Perhaps health is a state of mind. Many people have no disabling disease, illness or handicap, but they don't seem to live a happy life. Or the goal in life was to after wealth that had made them unable to "live and breathe life in close contact with what they love." But what if wealth is the only subject that one loves? Possible, but I do see many elderly suicide was a cause of social isolation and chronic illness. Will the definition of wealth change when one catches up with age? Possible.
In the case of Nic Vijucic, I think health is a personal strength and ability. Nic was born handicap, no medical reasons were established for his handicap. He was born in a Christian family, his father was a pastor, I guess. Religion and believes were questionable in his upbringing. He tempted suicide, and I'm not surprised. However, as he realized of his own values and potentials, he discovered God, and he discovered himself, and then he achieved. Then, he scores! What he did and he does, had surpassed many of us which are in the healthy state. He appeared more healthy than we are. Physically, mentally, both.
I was introduced to Nic by my deaf friends. The deaf circle was tremendously excited about him.
Are my death friends healthy? Many of them are Christians, for we know each other in church. Some of them are not Christians. Some of them have poor health, some of them stay good! Some of them single, some of them married. My desire while I was with them was to promote awareness the needs of social support and social capital for hard of hearing. Health promotion does not help the disadvantage group of people, if the surrounding is ignorance about them. Legislation is needed to protect them from being ill-paid and mistreat in their working environment. Support is needed to provide funds for those who are uneducated and lack of family support. Support is needed to create equal opportunity in employment. The effectiveness of health promotion lies in the community! How well do they accept these people, and how willing is the society to come in to help in promoting changes? To be effective, these are fundamental questions!
Provided certain central conditions are met, people can be enabled to achieve their potential. Working for health is to create these conditions:
- basic needs of food, drink, shelter, warmth
- access to information about the factors influencing health
- skills and confidence to use that information
People should be able to have health, whatever their circumstances are. However, it doesn't seem to be that easy. "By health I mean the power to live a full, adult, living, breathing life in close contact with what I love... I want to be all that I am capable of becoming." (Mansfield 1977)
Within this context, I don't think many people are healthy in this world.
Perhaps health is a state of mind. Many people have no disabling disease, illness or handicap, but they don't seem to live a happy life. Or the goal in life was to after wealth that had made them unable to "live and breathe life in close contact with what they love." But what if wealth is the only subject that one loves? Possible, but I do see many elderly suicide was a cause of social isolation and chronic illness. Will the definition of wealth change when one catches up with age? Possible.
In the case of Nic Vijucic, I think health is a personal strength and ability. Nic was born handicap, no medical reasons were established for his handicap. He was born in a Christian family, his father was a pastor, I guess. Religion and believes were questionable in his upbringing. He tempted suicide, and I'm not surprised. However, as he realized of his own values and potentials, he discovered God, and he discovered himself, and then he achieved. Then, he scores! What he did and he does, had surpassed many of us which are in the healthy state. He appeared more healthy than we are. Physically, mentally, both.
I was introduced to Nic by my deaf friends. The deaf circle was tremendously excited about him.
Are my death friends healthy? Many of them are Christians, for we know each other in church. Some of them are not Christians. Some of them have poor health, some of them stay good! Some of them single, some of them married. My desire while I was with them was to promote awareness the needs of social support and social capital for hard of hearing. Health promotion does not help the disadvantage group of people, if the surrounding is ignorance about them. Legislation is needed to protect them from being ill-paid and mistreat in their working environment. Support is needed to provide funds for those who are uneducated and lack of family support. Support is needed to create equal opportunity in employment. The effectiveness of health promotion lies in the community! How well do they accept these people, and how willing is the society to come in to help in promoting changes? To be effective, these are fundamental questions!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Putting clips of Nick on this blog
I've put Nick Vijucic up here at this blog, basically to encourage myself.
A man without limbs, living to the fullness of his life, God-fearing man. What kind of strength that God had given him. Yet, he is not a man of God without doubts, without sorrow, without moodswing.
While doing the study on young teens and healthy people who fall sick in the "stress" of society, I wonder how much more he could have in his life. Stigma! I bet he has none less. Not all around him are goody goody people. He went through it just like all of us.
Then, it is the strength that pulled him out from the darkness, the strength that put smile on his face that drawn me, to listen to him. Listening to someone who could just possibly hide in the room, one who possibly jumped down from 7 floors and die rather than choosing to face the world, listening to someone who has so much less in physical, yet so much more in spirit. Yeah, I want to listen to him!
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org
A man without limbs, living to the fullness of his life, God-fearing man. What kind of strength that God had given him. Yet, he is not a man of God without doubts, without sorrow, without moodswing.
While doing the study on young teens and healthy people who fall sick in the "stress" of society, I wonder how much more he could have in his life. Stigma! I bet he has none less. Not all around him are goody goody people. He went through it just like all of us.
Then, it is the strength that pulled him out from the darkness, the strength that put smile on his face that drawn me, to listen to him. Listening to someone who could just possibly hide in the room, one who possibly jumped down from 7 floors and die rather than choosing to face the world, listening to someone who has so much less in physical, yet so much more in spirit. Yeah, I want to listen to him!
http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org
"Promotion" of another kind...... ?
When I was doing more search on tokokyohi (refusing school), I found this. It could be funny, it could be fantasy, it could be ways to thrust one's anger.
In the view of public health, we might want to access why the person had put up this? What kind of health state that this person was?
Int he view of sociology, people might wish to access what kind of impact that this icon had caused in the realm of internet and among those who hated school.
We can do many things, but not all are good.
In view of the massacres in schools, and NEETs, though both are really different things. I think there is a need to beware, what kind of ideology that we instill in our children?
Poisonous act started with poisonous thoughts!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Peace Be With You
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27
Through out the history, this phrase had poured out strength to those who were weary. Whether people had wandered away from it, or people were drawn to it. The strength that came together with this phrase, had miraculously pulled men through, in times of persecution and deep sorrow.
This article is written In memory of the three matyrs in Turkey on april 18, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Miss Out
I was a very skeptical person. I hold reserve on many things. Especially for those things that do not flow my way, ideas and thoughts that I can not comprehend. ( I am still today in some ways, I need a lot of proofs before I can agree on things. eg. 1) What are in the mixed cheese: mozzarella? Or just mixed? 2) What kind of honey that you are using when there is a honey drink in the menu: Australia honey? Pure honey? Sugar honey? Or thick sugar that was what it means? etc. )
One God or the term of Creator was a frustrating idea to me. I used to chase out any one who came into my room, cross my path, proclaiming that ideology.
Spiritual needs? Brokenness? I thought I had it all, and I didn't need it. I could still remember when I was 18, Chin Leng and I were sitting together in the class, and we named all religions that we knew in the world, getting excited about the mysterious ideology, yet together we soundly renounce Christianity and Islam. We were the activists in class. That was 1994.
A year after that, Chin Leng turned into a Christian. I felt strange. It must be very tough for her, so she became weak, and she chose Christ, I thought.
I would never be that weak, I thought. Even if I would, to me, accepting Christ is a humiliation of what I held on. I was a proud girl. So much pride in me...... God has mercy.
In 1998, I reconciled with my father. I began to taste the goodness of being with the family after being long expelled, spiritually and physically. Of course, when I look back now, I was the one who chose to withdraw. I am not getting into that, that's another long story. I began to appreciate what my father had done for me. I began to take a step, to put myself into his shoes, and begin to see things through his lenses. Yet, I could not understand why and how he had settled down with Christianity and turned into a church goer in his 60's. I looked at him, a stubborn man, a strong willed man that had been through so many in life, one who tasted cruelty of the world, one whom my grandma had warned me that this man would break my legs if I go to church when I was 12, out of sudden, turned into Christ and baptized. That was 1992.
Honestly I thought he was a "rice Christian" at that time. Maybe he did that to favor those people, or because of the kindness of the brothers and sisters in the church, or maybe... I didn't want to think about it. The image of my father was a hero, was a jerk. I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't care.
I’ve seen miracles in my father. I've seen miracles in my family.
My father had a hand gun, and a short gun. I remember once, I provoked him so much, that in furious he took out his gun, pointed at his temple, and then he took it off again, shot the door, and then he went off in his car. I can not remember now, when exactly was that incident, but I can still remember the exact spot of the door that he opened his fire. It was an evening, after a evening drama program on TV. I can’t remember now the exact sequences of things, was it sometime around 1990-1991, or 1993-1994? All I could remember was that, I had broken his heart, and drew him to madness. He could have killed me.
I was a prodigal son.
My father still loved me and supported me. I knew that. But we kept hurting each other. Between us, there was lack of trust.
I had not see much physical good that the church had done for us except for my father had been kept rushing us to church on Sunday. I fed up with it, and I said I was not going. But my father was faithful. He went to the church every Sunday, he prayed and he read bible. He would drive all the way to Ampang for home fellowship, and that took him at least one and a half hour drive, sometimes 3 hours because of the traffic. And the cost of the gasoline would pay for a family meal. We struggled in living at that time. He was crazy to me, I thought. Selfish. What was it about "God"?
Despite witnessing healing and miracles among my family members, I continued to be stiff neck.
In 1998, I and my father were able to sit down together and worked things out. We became an emotional support for each other. Still, I refused to walk on his path. I was involved with most of his activities, friends. By being a bright university student, and graduate, I made him proud, and gave him joy. I was in his secular circle, shining like a star. We trod on the journey together, I wanted to be with my father, yet I was blinded to his believe. The most essential thing in life of a human being.
One God or the term of Creator was a frustrating idea to me. I used to chase out any one who came into my room, cross my path, proclaiming that ideology.
Spiritual needs? Brokenness? I thought I had it all, and I didn't need it. I could still remember when I was 18, Chin Leng and I were sitting together in the class, and we named all religions that we knew in the world, getting excited about the mysterious ideology, yet together we soundly renounce Christianity and Islam. We were the activists in class. That was 1994.
A year after that, Chin Leng turned into a Christian. I felt strange. It must be very tough for her, so she became weak, and she chose Christ, I thought.
I would never be that weak, I thought. Even if I would, to me, accepting Christ is a humiliation of what I held on. I was a proud girl. So much pride in me...... God has mercy.
In 1998, I reconciled with my father. I began to taste the goodness of being with the family after being long expelled, spiritually and physically. Of course, when I look back now, I was the one who chose to withdraw. I am not getting into that, that's another long story. I began to appreciate what my father had done for me. I began to take a step, to put myself into his shoes, and begin to see things through his lenses. Yet, I could not understand why and how he had settled down with Christianity and turned into a church goer in his 60's. I looked at him, a stubborn man, a strong willed man that had been through so many in life, one who tasted cruelty of the world, one whom my grandma had warned me that this man would break my legs if I go to church when I was 12, out of sudden, turned into Christ and baptized. That was 1992.
Honestly I thought he was a "rice Christian" at that time. Maybe he did that to favor those people, or because of the kindness of the brothers and sisters in the church, or maybe... I didn't want to think about it. The image of my father was a hero, was a jerk. I didn't want to think about it, and I didn't care.
I’ve seen miracles in my father. I've seen miracles in my family.
My father had a hand gun, and a short gun. I remember once, I provoked him so much, that in furious he took out his gun, pointed at his temple, and then he took it off again, shot the door, and then he went off in his car. I can not remember now, when exactly was that incident, but I can still remember the exact spot of the door that he opened his fire. It was an evening, after a evening drama program on TV. I can’t remember now the exact sequences of things, was it sometime around 1990-1991, or 1993-1994? All I could remember was that, I had broken his heart, and drew him to madness. He could have killed me.
I was a prodigal son.
My father still loved me and supported me. I knew that. But we kept hurting each other. Between us, there was lack of trust.
I had not see much physical good that the church had done for us except for my father had been kept rushing us to church on Sunday. I fed up with it, and I said I was not going. But my father was faithful. He went to the church every Sunday, he prayed and he read bible. He would drive all the way to Ampang for home fellowship, and that took him at least one and a half hour drive, sometimes 3 hours because of the traffic. And the cost of the gasoline would pay for a family meal. We struggled in living at that time. He was crazy to me, I thought. Selfish. What was it about "God"?
Despite witnessing healing and miracles among my family members, I continued to be stiff neck.
In 1998, I and my father were able to sit down together and worked things out. We became an emotional support for each other. Still, I refused to walk on his path. I was involved with most of his activities, friends. By being a bright university student, and graduate, I made him proud, and gave him joy. I was in his secular circle, shining like a star. We trod on the journey together, I wanted to be with my father, yet I was blinded to his believe. The most essential thing in life of a human being.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Harajuku, Hikikomori, Otaku, NEET - small thoughts
Harajuku teens or Hikikomori or Akihabara Otaku, these are all teens, with certain problems of their own, a result of a choice on how they chose to deal with a circumstance in life, or dreams to be fulfilled. Yet, so much emptiness.
Are these phenomena only in Japan? Or it is spreading like a fire to the other parts of the world, with the influence of media, internet and manga (comic)?
These are certainly troubled youths.
What recorded in the video reels are real things that are happening in the street every day. It was not an accident, or a special event nor festival. These people might be only representing a small percentage of the population, as many people tried to comfort themselves as they see this. But when you walk in the middle of the street, you will have fear, are these the youth for tomorrow?
Most of these people skip schools, do nothing, they have a special terminolgy that was created for them only a few years back. NEET - "Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training". NEET is a government classification, first used in the United Kingdom but whose use has spread to other countries, including Japan and South Korea. It is a global problem.
Is this a public health issue? I think, YES, it is!
Are these phenomena only in Japan? Or it is spreading like a fire to the other parts of the world, with the influence of media, internet and manga (comic)?
These are certainly troubled youths.
What recorded in the video reels are real things that are happening in the street every day. It was not an accident, or a special event nor festival. These people might be only representing a small percentage of the population, as many people tried to comfort themselves as they see this. But when you walk in the middle of the street, you will have fear, are these the youth for tomorrow?
Most of these people skip schools, do nothing, they have a special terminolgy that was created for them only a few years back. NEET - "Not currently engaged in Employment, Education or Training". NEET is a government classification, first used in the United Kingdom but whose use has spread to other countries, including Japan and South Korea. It is a global problem.
Is this a public health issue? I think, YES, it is!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Mission Exposure in Koh-Hlao, November2005
November 04, 2005
We went to this Sea-gypsies village in Koh-Hlao. An Island along the Andaman Sea, where is at the border of Thai and Myanmar. The people there accepted Christ after the incident of Tsunami and tasted the goodness of Christians Aids in many areas, as well as witnessing Miracles that happened in the village through prayers.
They really need medical attention. Many have skin diseases, parasites infestation, mal-nutritional problems, dental problems etc. They have no citizenship, as the pastor who serve there tried to get the attention from the Ranong Health Ministry but was rejected for the reason of inconvenience in traveling. The infant mortality rate is high. I brought some de-worming medication with me, but only the little ones responded to the drug. I am not sure whether the reason of this is because of the drugs are generics or the dosage was under dose. Certainly a Medical Mission team is highly needed in this region.
We managed to go to Koh-Bayam, which is another island which is located in the deep sea. This village was totally destroyed by Tsunami. Many had died in the incident, and left with many widows and orphans. An old woman is having this cataract problem, and the children again are badly infested by parasites.
It saddened me as I noticed that most of the sickness and death were at the cost of a few dollars of medications, and awareness of keeping their environment clean and livable.
We went to this Sea-gypsies village in Koh-Hlao. An Island along the Andaman Sea, where is at the border of Thai and Myanmar. The people there accepted Christ after the incident of Tsunami and tasted the goodness of Christians Aids in many areas, as well as witnessing Miracles that happened in the village through prayers.
They really need medical attention. Many have skin diseases, parasites infestation, mal-nutritional problems, dental problems etc. They have no citizenship, as the pastor who serve there tried to get the attention from the Ranong Health Ministry but was rejected for the reason of inconvenience in traveling. The infant mortality rate is high. I brought some de-worming medication with me, but only the little ones responded to the drug. I am not sure whether the reason of this is because of the drugs are generics or the dosage was under dose. Certainly a Medical Mission team is highly needed in this region.
We managed to go to Koh-Bayam, which is another island which is located in the deep sea. This village was totally destroyed by Tsunami. Many had died in the incident, and left with many widows and orphans. An old woman is having this cataract problem, and the children again are badly infested by parasites.
It saddened me as I noticed that most of the sickness and death were at the cost of a few dollars of medications, and awareness of keeping their environment clean and livable.
Thoughts when I came back from Koh-Hlau, naive it maybe......
Dear Friends,
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
Finally, we are back in Malaysia, thanks for your prayers! After the visit in Ranong and Koh-Hlao Island, our country is a heaven while compare.
The living expenses in Ranong and Phuket is high, not too far from the living expenses in Malaysia. The monthly income is in average about 6,000 Baht. Some who owns a car is about 8,000 - 10,000 Baht. The gasoline is much more expensive than ours too. This situation had made the life in this area even harder, I assume.
The Tsunami affected area indeed had captured many attentions from the N.G.O.s, I would say "We Love Thailand" had done a fantastic job in many affected areas.
The Island that we visited was Koh-Hlao Island. It is located along the Andaman Sea, at about 25 minutes boat drive from Ranong. If it is low tide, we can actually walk across to Myanmar region, which is at the other side of the Island. The people group is Sea-Gypsies, and they converse in a unique language, Moken. A few of the elderly people can speak in Malay( they lived near Langkawi Island when they were children); and some of them, because of the influences in the sea business, can speak in Thai.
On this Island, we see water tanks funded by Baptise, We Love Thailand, IYEO, KERF. ActionAid and Campus Crusade For Christ had also came into this island to assist in relieve work. As we assisted the Ps. Vichai in the ministry, we find that the villagers are very dependant on him in their daily needs. Ps. Vichai is a Thai missionary that had left his family and moved to this island six months ago, working closely with Full Gospel Church in Ranong to facilitate the rebuilding project in Koh-Hlao Island. As we were in the village, we found that a Thai lady who is staying on the Island provided food for the children in lunch time with her own money or sometimes in the assist of Ps. Vichai, or from the volunteers of the church that came over to teach the children Thai and bible stories.
It surprised me as I explored further on the Island, and find that ActionAid had also set up an "office" on that island, and have some connection with IYEO and JVC to set up a "Children Center of Foundation" hall. The hall looks like a canteen, and has a tremendous kitchen. Outside the wall hang some good pictures of giving out food to the children. Unfortunately, our stay in Koh-Hlao had not witness any of these good deeds.
By realizing so many N.G.O.s which had put their attention on this island, I was even surprised for the medical needs in this village was never attended. The children are badly parasite infested, the infant mortality is high, the adults are poorly given attention, their skin infections were so bad, and mostly all of them are mal-nutrition. We walked along with Ps. Vichai with his first-aid box in his hand, continuing gaining the trust from these people by praying with them, showing care and concern, plus applying antiseptic cream onto the wounds. In fact, after so many months of attention, this was the first time that they had a de-worming program. And it was done by a group of hardly qualified people, us. Although hardly qualified, nevertheless needs still to need to be met.
I was really angry. While so many had come, I didn't see containers of supplies in this village. There are no food on the table except for shells, which is their only source on this island. They have boats now for transportation, but no motors/engines that enable them to go out to the deep sea for fishing. They can only provide dinner for their children but not lunch. The land of the Island is filled with shells, rough stones and broken glasses. Adults or children running bare feet on the island, all skinny, but with a big bounced out stomach.
I really pray that a seriousness in all these organizations that come. I pray that a well meaning in doing any relief work, not so much on documented publication and talks on the paper, but in real situation, the funds that generated for these projects shall wisely be used, justicely be distributed. I also pray that as a unity among all these who try to help out the situation in Koh-Hlao Island, a transparency and clear communication shall occur. As where and when the church is teaching the children languages or having their service, the other party shall not turn on their TV so loud, with their Bollywood movies on, and tempt the children and adults to go in to the house for a movie session. This had aroused the anger of the Headman in the village. And strange enough, each time as the service ends, or the church activities ends, the house next door that the ActionAid people had called it their office would shut their doors and remained silence. Please also pray that God will move a medical team into this area, so that they would have medical attention. Sadly to say, most of the complications or death in this place is due to ignorance on basic health care, and should be prevented by just a few dollars medication.
We can see God's hands upon this place, and as the children sang the worship songs, we are certain there is a HOPE.
Blessed,
Roseline
Nov 05, 2005
The POVERTY video reels
As I watched the video reel that I uploaded on the topic of "POVERTY", my mind was brought back to Nov 2005, where I was being exposed to the reconstruction work in Koh-Hlau, an island where the Sea-gypsies lived, which was destroyed by Tsunami.
If you screened through each video reel, you will see children were being highlighted in hunger and poverty. Different sources were used, different philosophies were being employed, but for one motive, "Save the children! Stop poverty!"
It is easy to shout a slogan, to plan a campaign, but that is when we stand outside the circle, and presuming that we know all about it by watching a few video clips, reading a few reports, analysing a few statistics. It is often harder when we are in the midst of them.
In the mission trip to Koh-Hlau, there was nothing much that we could do. We flowed along with the existing team in that place, observing and learning how the more fortunate one in the village provided help and food for the people.
There was one lady, she was a Thai, but she stayed in the island together with them, she owned a little grocery store. She was saved after the Tsunami, and she began to provide the children free lunch everyday. Wonderful lady.
There were definitely hygiene problems, there is no pure and clean water supply, the children were skinny and bonnie, with a large stomach that were full of worms. Ring worm disease was very prevalence in the community. Lack of medical treatment, medicines in Archan Vichai's house were basically being brought and left over by the mission teams.
We taught them English, bible stories, played with them, hugged them, dewormed them, taking photographs. That's all that we could do, and that little thing that we did, made the children happy. Simple things. But then, we couldn't do much for the poverty. The needs were tremendous! It takes tremendous human effort, even to think of how to solve the problems. The hungry people were not only the children, the adults were hungry too! The people were starving! Many were sick, having high fever, conjunctivitis, sores, weak. These Sea-gypsies didn't even had a nationality! That means it is illegal for them to step into the land of Thailand or Myanmanr. That also means they can seek help no way unless there are volunteers who bring medication and education to them.
The best memory that I had in the trip was the house visitation after the deworming program. Listening to them, comforting them, teaching them how to cope with the children who kept vomiting worms and perching, laying hands on their wounds and prayed for them! Soothing their rough infected skins with our bare hands, examine the wounds and flaked skins...... Those were the most memorable part in this trip! And that was the little thing that I believe that had the most impact in their lives!
Mission is about putting ourselves down, and begin to step into the shoes of the needs, and begin to SERVE!
Poverty, is not an easy issue to deal with!
just thoughts: Children had been used for many scene, some for political issues, some for human rights issue. It seems that children are the best bullet, a distinct secret weapon that lead to world attention.
If you screened through each video reel, you will see children were being highlighted in hunger and poverty. Different sources were used, different philosophies were being employed, but for one motive, "Save the children! Stop poverty!"
It is easy to shout a slogan, to plan a campaign, but that is when we stand outside the circle, and presuming that we know all about it by watching a few video clips, reading a few reports, analysing a few statistics. It is often harder when we are in the midst of them.
In the mission trip to Koh-Hlau, there was nothing much that we could do. We flowed along with the existing team in that place, observing and learning how the more fortunate one in the village provided help and food for the people.
There was one lady, she was a Thai, but she stayed in the island together with them, she owned a little grocery store. She was saved after the Tsunami, and she began to provide the children free lunch everyday. Wonderful lady.
There were definitely hygiene problems, there is no pure and clean water supply, the children were skinny and bonnie, with a large stomach that were full of worms. Ring worm disease was very prevalence in the community. Lack of medical treatment, medicines in Archan Vichai's house were basically being brought and left over by the mission teams.
We taught them English, bible stories, played with them, hugged them, dewormed them, taking photographs. That's all that we could do, and that little thing that we did, made the children happy. Simple things. But then, we couldn't do much for the poverty. The needs were tremendous! It takes tremendous human effort, even to think of how to solve the problems. The hungry people were not only the children, the adults were hungry too! The people were starving! Many were sick, having high fever, conjunctivitis, sores, weak. These Sea-gypsies didn't even had a nationality! That means it is illegal for them to step into the land of Thailand or Myanmanr. That also means they can seek help no way unless there are volunteers who bring medication and education to them.
The best memory that I had in the trip was the house visitation after the deworming program. Listening to them, comforting them, teaching them how to cope with the children who kept vomiting worms and perching, laying hands on their wounds and prayed for them! Soothing their rough infected skins with our bare hands, examine the wounds and flaked skins...... Those were the most memorable part in this trip! And that was the little thing that I believe that had the most impact in their lives!
Mission is about putting ourselves down, and begin to step into the shoes of the needs, and begin to SERVE!
Poverty, is not an easy issue to deal with!
just thoughts: Children had been used for many scene, some for political issues, some for human rights issue. It seems that children are the best bullet, a distinct secret weapon that lead to world attention.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Christ and Health
I personally believe that Christ is about public health. Don't ask me why, don't ask me how. It will take me very long to explain this. But nevertheless, this is a conviction in me.
I believe that Christ is for everybody, just as I believe that health is for everybody. Not all people will choose the same way to live to obtain health. There are many circumstances, many situations, where we aren't empowered to choose to live the desirable way of living, including obtaining basic health.
In different part of the world, we have a different definition for health or wealth. Samething with God or Creator.
A different definition, a different need in health do not mean that health is just not important for people. Health is important in all sector! That is the fight of public health workers! The challenge is how to remove the scale and free them to see! To give those who are in needs strength and power to pursue an equity in health! The degree of wanting health or desire of a healthy body is universal, do not let the mask of poverty fools us!
There is a deep hole in our hearts that acts as a dark hole, mystery of universe! Where do we come from? Why do we exist? Who am I? Who are you? What am I doing here? What is need of me? Who is calling me? We asked these when we were kids, the same questions in every where, all parts of the world, regardless the boundary of culture or nations, poor or rich. But as we grow, we had been shut down for answers. We had been shut in! BUT then, it does not mean that what had been suppressed are not there anymore! Those childlike ideas and craving just blown up to the air, and burst like bubbles? No way.
The essential of truth will always remain, it became clearer, when we totally lost it. Often, that is the minute before we grasp our last breathe. Our necks are really hard to break!
I believe that Christ is for everybody, just as I believe that health is for everybody. Not all people will choose the same way to live to obtain health. There are many circumstances, many situations, where we aren't empowered to choose to live the desirable way of living, including obtaining basic health.
In different part of the world, we have a different definition for health or wealth. Samething with God or Creator.
A different definition, a different need in health do not mean that health is just not important for people. Health is important in all sector! That is the fight of public health workers! The challenge is how to remove the scale and free them to see! To give those who are in needs strength and power to pursue an equity in health! The degree of wanting health or desire of a healthy body is universal, do not let the mask of poverty fools us!
There is a deep hole in our hearts that acts as a dark hole, mystery of universe! Where do we come from? Why do we exist? Who am I? Who are you? What am I doing here? What is need of me? Who is calling me? We asked these when we were kids, the same questions in every where, all parts of the world, regardless the boundary of culture or nations, poor or rich. But as we grow, we had been shut down for answers. We had been shut in! BUT then, it does not mean that what had been suppressed are not there anymore! Those childlike ideas and craving just blown up to the air, and burst like bubbles? No way.
The essential of truth will always remain, it became clearer, when we totally lost it. Often, that is the minute before we grasp our last breathe. Our necks are really hard to break!
Monday, April 23, 2007
Cho Seung-hui
The incident of Victoria Tech last Monday is a hard subject to write about.
Fear, pain, tear, anger, embarrassment, sadness, sickness all aroused and became a confused mess-up mixture.
As the killer had been highly marked, "ASIAN", Korean, many were surprised indeed when they found out that this "Korean" boy had came to US at the age of 8. Why are they calling him a "Korean" then? Wasn't him an American too?
Tension increased while hateful comments aimed at Koreans being posted on the website Facebook and on various blog sites.
The media and critiques had continued to use titles like "KOREAN", "ASIAN", "KOREAN-BORN GUNMAN", as if that's what Cho was recognized as. Quoted from The New York Time last Friday,
Some said, "we're very worried about Koreans being harassed now." "They're scared. They're shocked to death. When the news media said it was an Asian, we prayed,'Not Korean, not Korean'."
A large fear was introduced to the Korean-American Community. To share with you, when the news media said it was an Asian, the Chinese also prayed, "Not Chinese, not Chinese". My Chinese friend called her relatives in US, and found the fear that laid deep inside them.
I am not surprised that such fear occurred. The influence of the media is great, indeed.
The description of Cho Seung-hui has some resemblance of Hikikomori personalities, social isolation. But then, if a "Korean/Asian" that is what he was recognized as, even in fact he was an American; and the great fear of the Korean-American to admit themselves as a Korean after the incident. The problem is clearly more than an aftermath of massacre.
It seems to me adding to it are social nonacceptance and social inequities. Then, it would not add to my surprise that Asians are stereotyped as loner and antisocial. Without a clear will of the society to include its minority in its games, there is lack of empowerment for the people to choose the right choice.
Viewing the disturbing video record that Cho made, something that he said kept echo in my ears. "you forced me into a corner".
Fear, pain, tear, anger, embarrassment, sadness, sickness all aroused and became a confused mess-up mixture.
As the killer had been highly marked, "ASIAN", Korean, many were surprised indeed when they found out that this "Korean" boy had came to US at the age of 8. Why are they calling him a "Korean" then? Wasn't him an American too?
Tension increased while hateful comments aimed at Koreans being posted on the website Facebook and on various blog sites.
The media and critiques had continued to use titles like "KOREAN", "ASIAN", "KOREAN-BORN GUNMAN", as if that's what Cho was recognized as. Quoted from The New York Time last Friday,
Professor Park in LA said she was troubled that Cho's ethnicity had quickly become central to the narrative of his crime. "Calling him a South Korean native as if he arrived yesterday, doesn't make sense to me," She said of Cho, who arrived in the US with his parents at the age of eight. "It doesn't make sense, I agree.
Some said, "we're very worried about Koreans being harassed now." "They're scared. They're shocked to death. When the news media said it was an Asian, we prayed,'Not Korean, not Korean'."
A large fear was introduced to the Korean-American Community. To share with you, when the news media said it was an Asian, the Chinese also prayed, "Not Chinese, not Chinese". My Chinese friend called her relatives in US, and found the fear that laid deep inside them.
I am not surprised that such fear occurred. The influence of the media is great, indeed.
The description of Cho Seung-hui has some resemblance of Hikikomori personalities, social isolation. But then, if a "Korean/Asian" that is what he was recognized as, even in fact he was an American; and the great fear of the Korean-American to admit themselves as a Korean after the incident. The problem is clearly more than an aftermath of massacre.
It seems to me adding to it are social nonacceptance and social inequities. Then, it would not add to my surprise that Asians are stereotyped as loner and antisocial. Without a clear will of the society to include its minority in its games, there is lack of empowerment for the people to choose the right choice.
Viewing the disturbing video record that Cho made, something that he said kept echo in my ears. "you forced me into a corner".
Is that the cry of Hikikomori? I wonder.
Monday, April 16, 2007
韩国：超过日本的自杀大国 Korea: A suicide nation that had surpassed Japan
统计
韩国统计厅公布的报告显示，韩国每10万名死亡人口中，死于自杀的平均人数为26.1名。
As of the official statistic of South Korea, in every 100,000 that deceased, average number of the suiciders is 26.1.
韩国的自杀率已经超过了位居第二的匈牙利（22.8人）和第三位的日本（20.3人），居经济合作与发展组织（OECD）成员国首位。
The suicide rate in Korea had surpassed Hungary (22.8), Japan (20.3), became the champion among the members of OECD.
韩国的烧酒、威士忌等蒸馏酒和烈性酒的年消费量居全球第4位，仅次于俄罗斯、拉脱维亚和罗马尼亚。
The sales of spirit, wine, hard liquor is no.4 in the world, second to Russia, Latvia and Romania.
原因 Factors
韩国人产生各种心理问题主要同经济发展有关。调查显示，10％的韩国国民曾产生“自杀冲动”。产生自杀想法的原因，回答最多的是经济困难（48.2％），其后依次为家庭不和睦（15.4％）、寂寞孤独（12％）。
The root of the pyschological problems of the Koreans is believed to be related with the development of the economy. According to the survey, 10% of the nation had a thought of suicide. The reason for that thought, the most frequent answer to that is "financial difficulties" (48.2%). Second is "Deformed family relationship (15.4%), loneliness and isolation (12%).
演艺界人士主要因为竞争压力和社会舆论压力，深受抑郁症的煎熬。
The celebrirites basically suicide because of extreme stress in competitions annd forceful social comments , many are suffered along with depression.
韩国社会保健研究院研究员徐东宇说，经济长期萧条，沦为贫困阶层的人们陷入赌博、信用卡透支和家庭崩溃的困境，因而自杀率剧增。
徐东宇from the institute of Korean Society Research said, the prolonged economic depression, had caused many of those who fell into poverty, trapped in gambling, overuse of credit cards, collapse of family. Therefor, we see an increase in the suicide rate.
一些上班族认为，压力大，甚至患上抑郁症的原因是“与上司的矛盾”，紧随其后的是“自己能力有限所带来的精神压力”及“有可能被炒鱿鱼”等。
Some white-collar workers believed that, overstress, and the source of depression begins with "the conflict with supervisor/boss". What follows is the stress of feeling disablity in performance, as well as fear of being fired from the job.
Re: 2007-3-2 14:06:39 环球时报 http://www.21jk.com/p/WJGY/articlecontent.asp?channelId=52&columnName=%D7%D4%C9%B1%CF%E0%B9%D8%B8%C5%C0%C0&topicName=%B9%FA%C4%DA%CD%E2%D3%EB%D7%D4%C9%B1%D3%D0%B9%D8%B5%C4%BB%E1%D2%E9%D0%C5%CF%A2&articleId=46411)
Post: Original in Chinese, translation by Rose.
韩国统计厅公布的报告显示，韩国每10万名死亡人口中，死于自杀的平均人数为26.1名。
As of the official statistic of South Korea, in every 100,000 that deceased, average number of the suiciders is 26.1.
韩国的自杀率已经超过了位居第二的匈牙利（22.8人）和第三位的日本（20.3人），居经济合作与发展组织（OECD）成员国首位。
The suicide rate in Korea had surpassed Hungary (22.8), Japan (20.3), became the champion among the members of OECD.
韩国的烧酒、威士忌等蒸馏酒和烈性酒的年消费量居全球第4位，仅次于俄罗斯、拉脱维亚和罗马尼亚。
The sales of spirit, wine, hard liquor is no.4 in the world, second to Russia, Latvia and Romania.
原因 Factors
韩国人产生各种心理问题主要同经济发展有关。调查显示，10％的韩国国民曾产生“自杀冲动”。产生自杀想法的原因，回答最多的是经济困难（48.2％），其后依次为家庭不和睦（15.4％）、寂寞孤独（12％）。
The root of the pyschological problems of the Koreans is believed to be related with the development of the economy. According to the survey, 10% of the nation had a thought of suicide. The reason for that thought, the most frequent answer to that is "financial difficulties" (48.2%). Second is "Deformed family relationship (15.4%), loneliness and isolation (12%).
演艺界人士主要因为竞争压力和社会舆论压力，深受抑郁症的煎熬。
The celebrirites basically suicide because of extreme stress in competitions annd forceful social comments , many are suffered along with depression.
韩国社会保健研究院研究员徐东宇说，经济长期萧条，沦为贫困阶层的人们陷入赌博、信用卡透支和家庭崩溃的困境，因而自杀率剧增。
徐东宇from the institute of Korean Society Research said, the prolonged economic depression, had caused many of those who fell into poverty, trapped in gambling, overuse of credit cards, collapse of family. Therefor, we see an increase in the suicide rate.
一些上班族认为，压力大，甚至患上抑郁症的原因是“与上司的矛盾”，紧随其后的是“自己能力有限所带来的精神压力”及“有可能被炒鱿鱼”等。
Some white-collar workers believed that, overstress, and the source of depression begins with "the conflict with supervisor/boss". What follows is the stress of feeling disablity in performance, as well as fear of being fired from the job.
Re: 2007-3-2 14:06:39 环球时报 http://www.21jk.com/p/WJGY/articlecontent.asp?channelId=52&columnName=%D7%D4%C9%B1%CF%E0%B9%D8%B8%C5%C0%C0&topicName=%B9%FA%C4%DA%CD%E2%D3%EB%D7%D4%C9%B1%D3%D0%B9%D8%B5%C4%BB%E1%D2%E9%D0%C5%CF%A2&articleId=46411)
Post: Original in Chinese, translation by Rose.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Identifying Self-Cut
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9593427
If self-cut is a coping action, there are a lot more behind that awaited to be explored.
It takes hearts to understand these.
We cannot treat the coping action without treating the underline problem!
If self-cut is a coping action, there are a lot more behind that awaited to be explored.
It takes hearts to understand these.
We cannot treat the coping action without treating the underline problem!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Self Abuse
Self injuries. Angelina Jolie said in Ananova.com, "I grabbed a knife and cut my boy friend. He cut me back. Then, whenever I felt trapped, I'd cut myself. I have a lot of scars."
Some say that, " I do this to escape problem."
some say, " I don't know why."
Some say, " I want to make sure I'm alive."
Some say, " It just another way to cope with stress."
Some say, " I harm myself so I won't harm you."
There could be many other explanations that had never comeacross our minds. But one thing that is ultimate true in the emotion of these people, that is feeling of pain.
A deep pain the emotion, that only self abuse can make it seems less.
The video reel on the "self-injury" and "depression", reminded me of something in the past, that I know, once I got out from it, I AM NOT GOING BACK AGAIN!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Understanding Syndrome... Hikikomori
It was suggested that Hikikomori in Japan is under-reported, Saito Tamaki, a psychiatrist estimated that it is about one million.
In the same line with suicide and mental illness, Hikikomori tend to be stigmatized. It has negative meanings which attached to the affected person, family members and neighborhood. It is contrary to a society which being well known as its social capital and support. Just as the 'shame' that was discussed earlier, or depicted with the teacher whom had a son that played tokokyohi, the hikikomori became more secluded, and more withdraw.
hiki 引き = Withdraw
komori 籠り= Cage
Hikikomori simply means, "Withdraw into a Cage"。
The symtoms itself sugest that these people are hiding. It is extremely hard to dig someone out when their intention is to hide from others. This make identification difficult.
How can we understand this syndrom better? Health promotion is challenged in this area, not only by the effectiveness of implementation, but even the point to start and what to be implement!
In the same line with suicide and mental illness, Hikikomori tend to be stigmatized. It has negative meanings which attached to the affected person, family members and neighborhood. It is contrary to a society which being well known as its social capital and support. Just as the 'shame' that was discussed earlier, or depicted with the teacher whom had a son that played tokokyohi, the hikikomori became more secluded, and more withdraw.
hiki 引き = Withdraw
komori 籠り= Cage
Hikikomori simply means, "Withdraw into a Cage"。
The symtoms itself sugest that these people are hiding. It is extremely hard to dig someone out when their intention is to hide from others. This make identification difficult.
How can we understand this syndrom better? Health promotion is challenged in this area, not only by the effectiveness of implementation, but even the point to start and what to be implement!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Tokokyohi 登校拒否
A teacher with a tokokyohi 登校拒否son writes that, when she wanted to show the report she had written about her son to her colleague, she was advised that she shouldn't show such a thing' but 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi. (Ishikawa et al. 1995.85)
Tokokyohi means that the children refuse to go to school.
If you have a child who refuse to attend school, you tried all ways that you could, but nothing worked. And then the child became more reclusive, and even refused to communicate with the family members. What will you do? Will you seek help?
Do you think that not going to school is 'shameful'?
Do you think that it is okay not to go to school?
I think not going to school is not okay to many people in many societies, especially in the cities. I would suspect that this phenomena, seeing tokokyohi as a 'shameful' act is quite dominant in the Asia countries. Of course, we could have people who hysterically screamed out that, "NO, it's our children choice, how could you say that?" Perhaps, but with the middle class, I do see many were moulded in this way. "You need to go to school, education is a must, and you need to learn!" That tune wouldn't really change much.
Maybe one would say, I should do some research and gain supporting statements before I could claim this. Hmm... I don't know. Since this is a journal/diary, I can just put in so much, even without evidence, to jot down what I felt, before I forget it.
But then, perhaps, 'Shame' is a term with different meaning in different society. The toleration or reaction to 'shame' is certainly different with East and West. Even within East, Chinese, Korean and Japanese might see 'shame' in different lights.
Coming back to the above statement of what the teacher should do: if the above statement was true, where the teacher 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi rather than 'exposing' it, the community support in this area seems to be very weak.
That will lead me to another question: Japanese is well known as their strong social capital, in local or overseas. So, these seem strange for me. Another question could be rude in asking, but that include a Chinese clan support that I knew back in Malaysia: Community support exist where there is a need in the community, or it exist to look good?
Tokokyohi means that the children refuse to go to school.
If you have a child who refuse to attend school, you tried all ways that you could, but nothing worked. And then the child became more reclusive, and even refused to communicate with the family members. What will you do? Will you seek help?
Do you think that not going to school is 'shameful'?
Do you think that it is okay not to go to school?
I think not going to school is not okay to many people in many societies, especially in the cities. I would suspect that this phenomena, seeing tokokyohi as a 'shameful' act is quite dominant in the Asia countries. Of course, we could have people who hysterically screamed out that, "NO, it's our children choice, how could you say that?" Perhaps, but with the middle class, I do see many were moulded in this way. "You need to go to school, education is a must, and you need to learn!" That tune wouldn't really change much.
Maybe one would say, I should do some research and gain supporting statements before I could claim this. Hmm... I don't know. Since this is a journal/diary, I can just put in so much, even without evidence, to jot down what I felt, before I forget it.
But then, perhaps, 'Shame' is a term with different meaning in different society. The toleration or reaction to 'shame' is certainly different with East and West. Even within East, Chinese, Korean and Japanese might see 'shame' in different lights.
Coming back to the above statement of what the teacher should do: if the above statement was true, where the teacher 'should conceal' her son's tokokyohi rather than 'exposing' it, the community support in this area seems to be very weak.
That will lead me to another question: Japanese is well known as their strong social capital, in local or overseas. So, these seem strange for me. Another question could be rude in asking, but that include a Chinese clan support that I knew back in Malaysia: Community support exist where there is a need in the community, or it exist to look good?
Friday, March 30, 2007
Hikikomori...
If ill health does not happen by chance or through bad luck. Must it has relationship with biological factors, lifestyle factors, environmental factors? Of course, not forgetting the extent and nature of health service.
In most cases, the formal three are not hard to recognize. As for the latter, it takes more to explore the reality of it. Ill health that is caused by the extent and nature of health service can happened in the cities as well as the rural. One normally is hard to identify it when one was not exposed.
Poverty, social injustice, social stratification etc., are easily contribute to this factor.
Does Hikikomori fit into any of these? Can I identify the factors influencing the development of Hikikomori, thus identify the 'fields' in which 'health' can be promoted?
In most cases, the formal three are not hard to recognize. As for the latter, it takes more to explore the reality of it. Ill health that is caused by the extent and nature of health service can happened in the cities as well as the rural. One normally is hard to identify it when one was not exposed.
Poverty, social injustice, social stratification etc., are easily contribute to this factor.
Does Hikikomori fit into any of these? Can I identify the factors influencing the development of Hikikomori, thus identify the 'fields' in which 'health' can be promoted?
Monday, March 26, 2007
Think......
Harajuku teens
- the aggressive teens that dressed out to express themselves.
Pachinko Housewives
- the housewives who neglected their children, so much immerse into Pachinko, and had let to several cases of death of their children because of their neglegiance.
Hikikomori People
- the people who shut themselvs in, withdraw from social communication, for six months and above.
What are the main differences? What are the similarities?
- the aggressive teens that dressed out to express themselves.
Pachinko Housewives
- the housewives who neglected their children, so much immerse into Pachinko, and had let to several cases of death of their children because of their neglegiance.
Hikikomori People
- the people who shut themselvs in, withdraw from social communication, for six months and above.
What are the main differences? What are the similarities?
Questions for non-Hikikomori
Questions: (based on the literature readings, and first 3 interviews)
1. Have you heard about Hikikomori?
2. Do you know anyone who is/was a Hikikomori? (if no, go to Q.4)
3. What is your relationship with him/her?
4. How do you feel about Hikikomori?
5. How do you think they come about?
Analyse the questions and answers, suggesting keywords: school bullying, school failure, job failure, death.
6. Do you see any different in their circumstances at this time, compare to the circumstances at your time? If it is different, how does it differ? If it is not different, how had you cope with it?
7. How do you look at this phenomenon in relation to the society?
1. Have you heard about Hikikomori?
2. Do you know anyone who is/was a Hikikomori? (if no, go to Q.4)
3. What is your relationship with him/her?
4. How do you feel about Hikikomori?
5. How do you think they come about?
Analyse the questions and answers, suggesting keywords: school bullying, school failure, job failure, death.
6. Do you see any different in their circumstances at this time, compare to the circumstances at your time? If it is different, how does it differ? If it is not different, how had you cope with it?
7. How do you look at this phenomenon in relation to the society?
Friday, March 23, 2007
Does knowledge help in promotion of Blue Sky Campaign?
Copyright South China Morning Post Ltd. Mar 22, 2007: A study by the Environmental Protection Department released in 2002 found that more than 80 per cent of polluting emissions came from the region.
In contrast, university scientists used air quality monitors in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, wind data from the Observatory and satellite pictures to confirm the sources of air pollution. They also found that local sources played the biggest role in pollution from April to August, whereas regional sources affected air quality mainly in winter, from November to March.
Does knowledge help in promotion of BLUE SKY?
Who shall we target the promotion program to? How should we propose it? In the sight of the Expatriates, Government, People? Which group will serve to be more effective in this communication?
The government had been reserve in concluding the problem,what had been troubling their mind?
All these things would need to be considered and addressed, before we can run a effective program. Knowing who to target, what kind of strategy that we should approach, and time for pushing and holding back, would be a key to more likely to success with reduced wasted efforts and manpower.
In contrast, university scientists used air quality monitors in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta, wind data from the Observatory and satellite pictures to confirm the sources of air pollution. They also found that local sources played the biggest role in pollution from April to August, whereas regional sources affected air quality mainly in winter, from November to March.
Does knowledge help in promotion of BLUE SKY?
Who shall we target the promotion program to? How should we propose it? In the sight of the Expatriates, Government, People? Which group will serve to be more effective in this communication?
The government had been reserve in concluding the problem,what had been troubling their mind?
All these things would need to be considered and addressed, before we can run a effective program. Knowing who to target, what kind of strategy that we should approach, and time for pushing and holding back, would be a key to more likely to success with reduced wasted efforts and manpower.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Poverty is the greatest Disease!
In the story of "Akahige", a Japanese story directed by Akira Kurosawa in 1965 featured a charitable hospital and the various kinds of patients whether they falls into charity welfare or damyo (landlord). In the movie, dr. Niite was angry, he said, "Poverty is the disease!" "What is the government doing about poverty? Nothing! They were doing nothing!" Forceful remarks, yet so much truth, more than we can withhold.
Isn't that what happens now? In various country, in various government. Regardless how steep the GDP grows, how stable the GDP takes it foot on, there are always disparity between rich and poor.
Blame it on poverty, mental illness or physical illness, all are about poverty!
I remember that was once we had a discussion on a similar issue with a Chinese friend, casually taking the disparity in China as an example, when we talked about Mercury poisoning, environmental pollution... she became defensive. "It is not our fault!" But the fact was no one was pointing the finger on anyone in that conversation. Nothing really solid was being mentioned.
There is a certain pain in her, just as an innocent child who had been exposed to many unaccepted truth, or ugliness in her search of life, the face that she had never had a chance to see, or she had immune herself to think about, in this process, formed into such vivid images, that she had no way to hide. She could not deny it, or ignore it, so she became defensive whenever people started to talk about the issue. She became sensitive and protective.
"Why do you accused us for having a better opportunity?"
"You cannot blame us for us having a better opportunity than others! Have you thought about we also have our own problems?"
"We just cannot afford to care so much of all people!"
"These are natural selection, that some will loose and some will gain! That is the only way!"
She is a public health student.
She is not wrong either.
But yet, how should we promote public health? Who should promote public health? Does an attitude of the person who sit on this seat count?
The principles of Health Economy do not work in place of extreme poverty with stiff competitions to grow and getting out from it.
The rich and the poor; power and money, these will birth forth a new set of rules and principles. And these principles will rule, and be accepted by its own nation, social norm takes place.
When power and wealth are goals, when people became fearless, when the love in men begin to fade......
After all, health is not so important when one is in extreme poverty. Just like a believe system does not hold, when one is hungry. BUT then, we standing outside the circle, we know that is a complete lie. Without health, there is nothing that we can achieve. There might be different standards in health in various situations. Nevertheless, health is the essential thing to hold our breath together. Without health, is DEATH.
"We use health to buy wealth when we are young;
We use wealth to buy health when we are old."
This is a cycle that we need to break!
Isn't that what happens now? In various country, in various government. Regardless how steep the GDP grows, how stable the GDP takes it foot on, there are always disparity between rich and poor.
Blame it on poverty, mental illness or physical illness, all are about poverty!
I remember that was once we had a discussion on a similar issue with a Chinese friend, casually taking the disparity in China as an example, when we talked about Mercury poisoning, environmental pollution... she became defensive. "It is not our fault!" But the fact was no one was pointing the finger on anyone in that conversation. Nothing really solid was being mentioned.
There is a certain pain in her, just as an innocent child who had been exposed to many unaccepted truth, or ugliness in her search of life, the face that she had never had a chance to see, or she had immune herself to think about, in this process, formed into such vivid images, that she had no way to hide. She could not deny it, or ignore it, so she became defensive whenever people started to talk about the issue. She became sensitive and protective.
"Why do you accused us for having a better opportunity?"
"You cannot blame us for us having a better opportunity than others! Have you thought about we also have our own problems?"
"We just cannot afford to care so much of all people!"
"These are natural selection, that some will loose and some will gain! That is the only way!"
She is a public health student.
She is not wrong either.
But yet, how should we promote public health? Who should promote public health? Does an attitude of the person who sit on this seat count?
The principles of Health Economy do not work in place of extreme poverty with stiff competitions to grow and getting out from it.
The rich and the poor; power and money, these will birth forth a new set of rules and principles. And these principles will rule, and be accepted by its own nation, social norm takes place.
When power and wealth are goals, when people became fearless, when the love in men begin to fade......
After all, health is not so important when one is in extreme poverty. Just like a believe system does not hold, when one is hungry. BUT then, we standing outside the circle, we know that is a complete lie. Without health, there is nothing that we can achieve. There might be different standards in health in various situations. Nevertheless, health is the essential thing to hold our breath together. Without health, is DEATH.
"We use health to buy wealth when we are young;
We use wealth to buy health when we are old."
This is a cycle that we need to break!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Refining research question (1)
While I do a search for the definition of Hikikomori through Oxford Online Premium, it was stated that:
1. hikikomori n.A culture-bound syndrome found almost exclusively in Japan, most com-monly among male teenagers and young adults, especially eldest sons, although about a quarter of cases are female. It is character-ized by extreme social withdrawal and near-total ...
(From A Dictionary of Psychology in Politics & Social Sciences)
In South China Morning Post Ltd. Jan 15, 2007 was reported that the number of young people who spend their lives locked in their bedrooms has tripled in the past two years to as many as 18,500 according to the estimation of a welfare group.
Of these young hermits, some had isolated themselves for as long as six years, with the youngest being just 12.
These lock up young people were reported that they would kill time surfing the internet or playing computer games, or watch television or idle away the hours in a dark corner at home. It had been also suggested that the phenomenon partly to the increasing competition at school and pressure to succeed within the community.
"Many of them become evasive and eventually choose to lock themselves up in their bedrooms during the day and only came out to have food or take a shower,"
Is Hikikomori still, a culture-bound syndrome found almost exclusively in Japan? Or is it a epidemic in Mega cities? Does Hikikomori happen in Hong Kong? Or had the term had been loosely used? If it was loosely used, why? What is the attraction of this term, or phenomena? When the term was loosely used, was it suggesting or predicting something? What are the psychologist and sociologist have to say?
I think those are the questions that I would like to find out at this moment.
1. hikikomori n.A culture-bound syndrome found almost exclusively in Japan, most com-monly among male teenagers and young adults, especially eldest sons, although about a quarter of cases are female. It is character-ized by extreme social withdrawal and near-total ...
(From A Dictionary of Psychology in Politics & Social Sciences)
In South China Morning Post Ltd. Jan 15, 2007 was reported that the number of young people who spend their lives locked in their bedrooms has tripled in the past two years to as many as 18,500 according to the estimation of a welfare group.
Of these young hermits, some had isolated themselves for as long as six years, with the youngest being just 12.
These lock up young people were reported that they would kill time surfing the internet or playing computer games, or watch television or idle away the hours in a dark corner at home. It had been also suggested that the phenomenon partly to the increasing competition at school and pressure to succeed within the community.
"Many of them become evasive and eventually choose to lock themselves up in their bedrooms during the day and only came out to have food or take a shower,"
Is Hikikomori still, a culture-bound syndrome found almost exclusively in Japan? Or is it a epidemic in Mega cities? Does Hikikomori happen in Hong Kong? Or had the term had been loosely used? If it was loosely used, why? What is the attraction of this term, or phenomena? When the term was loosely used, was it suggesting or predicting something? What are the psychologist and sociologist have to say?
I think those are the questions that I would like to find out at this moment.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Indian's youth reflect Disparity
CNN reported on the "Indian Youth reflect Disparities" today. It was a series of interviews and video taping in different areas in Calcutta in contrast of city and the rural. The program exposed the contrast in thier living circumstances, conditions, opportunities and expectations in life.
In every 2 minutes, a chld is borned in India. The fertility rate is high. GDP is fast growing, and same as China, the disparty in this nation is huge.
In the city, the youth are sitting in starbucks, shopping thier clothes in one of the most branded shop in town, chatting about their dreams in making a difference in the business sector. The country itself is heading for a good future. A female college student said, " I don't think I need to go any where else, India is having plenty of golden opportunities these days."
The rural, a boy who hold a rope that ties on a cow in his hand, "I am to take over my father's job in next few years. I am to take over the responsibility of being the head of family."
In the villages, the villagers are still struggling with poor sanitation, unclean water, no electricity supply, average income less than 2 U.s. a day. By contrast, in the cities, teenage girls sitting in the coffee longue, shopping in the branded boutique shops, having educations in comfortable highly equipped institutions. Both, were aware of the existence of one another.
What kind of health promotion is needed here? I wonder?
Which is the greatest need of India today?
How shall the money of the government to b e spent in health?
Building more maternity ward in the city, bringing more qualified highly professionals. sufficient ultrasound machines and operation theaters?
OR to improve water sanitation, building electric and water supply system in the rural? Sending doctors and nurses in to the rural, setting up clinics and hospitals in a futile land?
Education is nontheless important! Again, how do we make the villagers to understand this and allow their children to got o school? We can have schools in the rural, in the village, but are they being empowered to pursue dreams by having education? In the rural, children are needed to take care of the younger ones at home. Older children are needed to be on the paddy field, or shepherding, or take over the jobs of their parents when their parents or grandparents are sick! How do we help them to pursue education? How could equity be set into this place? The school or education might exist, however the feasibility of them, or the ability to choose education over bread on the table might just not there.
In every 2 minutes, a chld is borned in India. The fertility rate is high. GDP is fast growing, and same as China, the disparty in this nation is huge.
In the city, the youth are sitting in starbucks, shopping thier clothes in one of the most branded shop in town, chatting about their dreams in making a difference in the business sector. The country itself is heading for a good future. A female college student said, " I don't think I need to go any where else, India is having plenty of golden opportunities these days."
The rural, a boy who hold a rope that ties on a cow in his hand, "I am to take over my father's job in next few years. I am to take over the responsibility of being the head of family."
In the villages, the villagers are still struggling with poor sanitation, unclean water, no electricity supply, average income less than 2 U.s. a day. By contrast, in the cities, teenage girls sitting in the coffee longue, shopping in the branded boutique shops, having educations in comfortable highly equipped institutions. Both, were aware of the existence of one another.
What kind of health promotion is needed here? I wonder?
Which is the greatest need of India today?
How shall the money of the government to b e spent in health?
Building more maternity ward in the city, bringing more qualified highly professionals. sufficient ultrasound machines and operation theaters?
OR to improve water sanitation, building electric and water supply system in the rural? Sending doctors and nurses in to the rural, setting up clinics and hospitals in a futile land?
Education is nontheless important! Again, how do we make the villagers to understand this and allow their children to got o school? We can have schools in the rural, in the village, but are they being empowered to pursue dreams by having education? In the rural, children are needed to take care of the younger ones at home. Older children are needed to be on the paddy field, or shepherding, or take over the jobs of their parents when their parents or grandparents are sick! How do we help them to pursue education? How could equity be set into this place? The school or education might exist, however the feasibility of them, or the ability to choose education over bread on the table might just not there.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Monday, March 12, 2007
RCT in Bible
In the class of Evidence-based Epidemiology, Prof. Gabriel challenged us to think about at least one biblical reference of randomized controlled trial. I thought for a long time, no trials registered.
Which verse? Which chapter? Which incident in the bible was actually:
First, it must be an intervention;
Second, the allocation of the intervention group and control group were randomised; the allocation concealment was achieved. No one knows what was going to happen next, not even the researcher. Everyone had a fair chance to participate in the game.
Which means no bias, no preference, no favoritism was involved.
Third, there were a proper time of follow up of both groups.
Incidence of Babel Tower: Random allocation, but no intervention involved.
Noah's ark: The Flood was an intervention, but the participants were not randomized, or at least no proof of randomization.
This is really hard, isn't it? Even as I claim that I am trying hard to study bible and public health side by side. I couldn't do this just on the spot either. But then, this is really a good lesson to me!
Think hard, analyze and map what I read with what I know and what I anticipate. So that I know what I am off to :-)
Shalom! May Peace be unto you!
Which verse? Which chapter? Which incident in the bible was actually:
First, it must be an intervention;
Second, the allocation of the intervention group and control group were randomised; the allocation concealment was achieved. No one knows what was going to happen next, not even the researcher. Everyone had a fair chance to participate in the game.
Which means no bias, no preference, no favoritism was involved.
Third, there were a proper time of follow up of both groups.
Incidence of Babel Tower: Random allocation, but no intervention involved.
Noah's ark: The Flood was an intervention, but the participants were not randomized, or at least no proof of randomization.
This is really hard, isn't it? Even as I claim that I am trying hard to study bible and public health side by side. I couldn't do this just on the spot either. But then, this is really a good lesson to me!
Think hard, analyze and map what I read with what I know and what I anticipate. So that I know what I am off to :-)
Shalom! May Peace be unto you!
Friday, March 09, 2007
When Rabbies Attack
Rabies deah toll promts warning of new dog cull. Hunan-Deputy Hunan governor Gan Lin has announced plans to kill all dogs hat have not been vaccinated against rabies. Sixty-one people in the province died from the disease in the first two months of this year, Xinhua reports.
An announcement of "Killing all dogs that have not been vaccinated against rabies" would be an effective healh education from the local official.
First of all, there are as much as 61 victims that died from the disease in the first 2 months of this year, certainly this is an public health issue, and clearly something that has to be done!
Taking action on the unvaccinated dogs, will result increase of awareness of the public against rabies.
The act/ annoucement would result a several attitude and responses of the public:
1) The dog owners will make sure if their dogs were vaccinated.
2) Strangers will stay away from the stray dogs, or any dogs which they are not familiar with.
3) People will start taking precautions when they see dogs.
4) People will be aware that what going on was serious enough for such action to be taken.
5) People will be alarmed to take immediate action once bitten by dog.
I think that is a good step of public health promotion and intervention.
Perhpas one thing that I would suggest to this, is set up poles in different areas, with a sign, "Beware of dogs! Beware of Rabies!". :-)
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Jesus, You're beautiful to me
Jesus, bright as the morning star
Jesus, how can I tell You
How beautiful You are to me
Jesus, song that the angels sing
Jesus, dearer to my heart
Than anything
Sweeter than springtime
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Jesus, bright as the morning star
Jesus, how can I tell You
How beautiful You are to me
My Jesus, song that the angels sing
Jesus, dearer to my heart
Than anything
Sweeter than spring time
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Oh, You are so beautiful
Oh Beautiful
So beautiful
So beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Beautiful
Beautiful
Beautiful, Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Beautiful, wonderful, everything
Beautiful, Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Wonderful, morning star, Lord You are beautiful
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
Oh, so beautiful
Sweeter than springtime
Purer than sunshine
Ever my song will be
Jesus, You’re beautiful to me
What should I do?
It seems like the qualitative data could even consist of interviews and observations, and documents, films or videotapes, and even data that have been quantified for other purposes such as census data.
The purpose is to discovering concepts and relationships in raw data and then organizing these into a theoretical explanatory scheme. But how? How to do these?
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Qualitative Basic Consideration
The importance of setting out a research on Hikikomori, or Suicide or Church Ministry in Japan would be the VISION. Where it is that the researcher wants to go with the researach. How are we going to see beyond the ordinary and to arrive at new understandings.
In the case of Hikikomori, do I aim to build theory, or classifying and eleborating? How should I build my case?
In Qualitative Research, Strauss and Glaser had made tremendous contribution in developing its concept and methodology.
For Strauss, the motivations are listed below:
(a) the need to get out into the field to discover what is really going on;
(b) the releveance of theory, grounded in data, to the development of a discipline and as a basis for social action;
(c) the complexity and variability of phenomena and of human actio;
(d) the belief that persons are actors who take an active role in responding to problematic situations;
(e) the realization that persons act on the basis of meaning;
(f) the understanding that meaning is defined and redefined through interaction;
(g) a sensitivity to the evolving and unfolding nature of events;
(h) an awareness of the interrelationships among conditions, action, and consequences.
Glaser saw the need for making comparison between data to identify, develop, and relate concepts.
A qualitative research could be extend to:
a person's lives, lived experiences, behaviors, emotions, and feelings as well as about organizaitonal functioning, social movements, cultural phenomena, and interactions between nations.
And now, as for Hikikomori, what is it about? It is about behaviors, emotions, feelings at individual level, in relation to organizational functioning when it is about Ijime, cultural phenomena. And in this study of mine, would probably involve interactions between nations.
How do we go about? This needs to be carefully examine and structure before I start the research.
In the case of Hikikomori, do I aim to build theory, or classifying and eleborating? How should I build my case?
In Qualitative Research, Strauss and Glaser had made tremendous contribution in developing its concept and methodology.
For Strauss, the motivations are listed below:
(a) the need to get out into the field to discover what is really going on;
(b) the releveance of theory, grounded in data, to the development of a discipline and as a basis for social action;
(c) the complexity and variability of phenomena and of human actio;
(d) the belief that persons are actors who take an active role in responding to problematic situations;
(e) the realization that persons act on the basis of meaning;
(f) the understanding that meaning is defined and redefined through interaction;
(g) a sensitivity to the evolving and unfolding nature of events;
(h) an awareness of the interrelationships among conditions, action, and consequences.
Glaser saw the need for making comparison between data to identify, develop, and relate concepts.
A qualitative research could be extend to:
a person's lives, lived experiences, behaviors, emotions, and feelings as well as about organizaitonal functioning, social movements, cultural phenomena, and interactions between nations.
And now, as for Hikikomori, what is it about? It is about behaviors, emotions, feelings at individual level, in relation to organizational functioning when it is about Ijime, cultural phenomena. And in this study of mine, would probably involve interactions between nations.
How do we go about? This needs to be carefully examine and structure before I start the research.
Characteristics of a Grounded Theorist
These are the requisite skills for becoming a grounded theorist:
1. The ability to step back and critically analyze situations.
2. The ability to recognize the tendency towards bias.
3. The ability to think abstractly.
4. The ability to be fleible and open to helpful criticism.
5. Sensitivity to the words and actions of respondents.
6. A sense of absorption and devotion to the work process.
Let's pray that the Lord will preserve me in these ways! May the Lord bless the job in His hand!
Reference: Basics of Qualitative Research. 2nd. Ed. Strauss&Corbin. Basic Considerations, Introduction
1. The ability to step back and critically analyze situations.
2. The ability to recognize the tendency towards bias.
3. The ability to think abstractly.
4. The ability to be fleible and open to helpful criticism.
5. Sensitivity to the words and actions of respondents.
6. A sense of absorption and devotion to the work process.
Let's pray that the Lord will preserve me in these ways! May the Lord bless the job in His hand!
Reference: Basics of Qualitative Research. 2nd. Ed. Strauss&Corbin. Basic Considerations, Introduction
threads...
Cheung thinks that Hikikomori is a term that we should not overuse. He rather terms his clients as "Net Addicts" rather than "Hikikomori". He also does agree on multiplying the data to get a projection on the numbers.
Throughout the sharing, I could identify a few cases that are definite "Hikikomori" to me. Same as David, Cheung does not agree that "Hikikomori" in Hong Kong is an influence of Japan's culture. Judging from his experience, it is the "hope" to gain control, self-confidence through the Internet.
Isabelle thinks that people shut themselves up avoid commuication, and basically that happens when people have fear to fit in.
In either case, I find a thin line of "failure", "fear" and "death".
Joshua thinks that people shut themselves in when they have no sense of reality. To him, these people are spoilt rather than sick. These child of 80's cannot withstand stress, so when they have trouble to fit in, they choose to isolate themselves.
Yip peng thinks that people in his days do not have this fear of Hikikomori, it seems to him these are the symptoms of the 80's or 90's.
Throughout the sharing, I could identify a few cases that are definite "Hikikomori" to me. Same as David, Cheung does not agree that "Hikikomori" in Hong Kong is an influence of Japan's culture. Judging from his experience, it is the "hope" to gain control, self-confidence through the Internet.
Isabelle thinks that people shut themselves up avoid commuication, and basically that happens when people have fear to fit in.
In either case, I find a thin line of "failure", "fear" and "death".
Joshua thinks that people shut themselves in when they have no sense of reality. To him, these people are spoilt rather than sick. These child of 80's cannot withstand stress, so when they have trouble to fit in, they choose to isolate themselves.
Yip peng thinks that people in his days do not have this fear of Hikikomori, it seems to him these are the symptoms of the 80's or 90's.
Confounding factors on Hikikomori
David thinks that Hikikomori is just a term where the Japanese had recognized the disease, and had gave it a name. Hikikomori happens in place, and it could possibly connect to the word "hermit". He does not agree that Hikikomori is an influence of Japan. In each society, there would have their own unique situation to cause hermits, there are some confounding factors that we should not discount.
Monday, February 05, 2007
A choice: Blind or Die?
Can you imagine one day when you wake up, and you become totally blind. You can't see a single thing. What would you do?
Then, you are given a chance to cure, an intervention, but you need to decide. Now, the chance to recover from blindness is 100%, but you have 0% chance to survive. What is your choice?
The class was given this question last Tuesday. If course there were possibilities for us to choose. Some tolerated with 20% chance of survival, some would never not take that chance until the possibility of survival reach 80%. I didn't choose.
How do we Christians interprete this? We can say, if it is a "spiritual blindness", we prefer to have our sight back, and we know to "die", is to die with our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and that happens when we accept Jesus Christ. Pretty easy, isn't it? We rather see the TRUTH! Aren't we always talking about that?
Think! One who does not know God, he or she has no idea what we are talking about. In a close knit society, to accept Jesus is putting them to death sentence, or a choice to be expelled, as an outcast. That happens in India, among Islams, Japan and many other countries. So now, what do think his or her choice will be?
Think! It is the same to physical blindness. Would you prefer to see or you prefer to live? It is the same measure before we can measure others. And remember it is the same measure that we are going to be measured as we measure others.
Put ourselves into the others' shoes, but do not lost hope!
Knowing that when we choose to die with Jesus Christ, there is going to be a resurrection! He promised us, we are going to have a new life! Which is call "born again", at present. So the real fact is we are going to die, but we are going to have a new life! The amazing thing is, you will never know it until you accept it!
But then... coming back to our fellow Christians, are we aware? are we convinced? if we are, how should we tell people about this GOOD NEWS?
THINK!
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Mat 16:25
Then, you are given a chance to cure, an intervention, but you need to decide. Now, the chance to recover from blindness is 100%, but you have 0% chance to survive. What is your choice?
The class was given this question last Tuesday. If course there were possibilities for us to choose. Some tolerated with 20% chance of survival, some would never not take that chance until the possibility of survival reach 80%. I didn't choose.
How do we Christians interprete this? We can say, if it is a "spiritual blindness", we prefer to have our sight back, and we know to "die", is to die with our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, and that happens when we accept Jesus Christ. Pretty easy, isn't it? We rather see the TRUTH! Aren't we always talking about that?
Think! One who does not know God, he or she has no idea what we are talking about. In a close knit society, to accept Jesus is putting them to death sentence, or a choice to be expelled, as an outcast. That happens in India, among Islams, Japan and many other countries. So now, what do think his or her choice will be?
Think! It is the same to physical blindness. Would you prefer to see or you prefer to live? It is the same measure before we can measure others. And remember it is the same measure that we are going to be measured as we measure others.
Put ourselves into the others' shoes, but do not lost hope!
Knowing that when we choose to die with Jesus Christ, there is going to be a resurrection! He promised us, we are going to have a new life! Which is call "born again", at present. So the real fact is we are going to die, but we are going to have a new life! The amazing thing is, you will never know it until you accept it!
But then... coming back to our fellow Christians, are we aware? are we convinced? if we are, how should we tell people about this GOOD NEWS?
THINK!
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Mat 16:25
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Grounded Theory
What does it mean by Grounded theory? Checklist of understanding.
1. It is developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967).
2. It is to address issues raised within sociology about the understanding of human behavior (Hikikomori) based on the quantitative paradigm and statistically average behavior.
3. The theorical base is symbolic interactionism.
4. Meaning: human behavior (Hikikomori) is develped through interaction with others, through continuous processes of negotiation and renegotiation.
5. People construct their own realities from the symbols around them through interaction rather than through a static reaction to symbols.
6. Therefore, individuals are active participants in creating meaning in a situation (isolating oneself).
7. The primary purpose is to generate explanatory theories of human behavior (hikikomori).
8. Theory is discovered, developed, and then verified through systematic data collection and analysis of data related to an identified phenomenon (isolation of teens).
9. Data collection, sampling, and analysis all occur simultaneously as the study progresses, and sampling and further data collection are based on the emerging theory.
10. Participants are selected based on their knowledge of the topic(hikikomori) and on the needs of the developing theory, a process called theoretical sampling.
11. Data are generally collected through unstructured interviews, observations, and other fieldwork techniques.
12. Analysis techniques include constant comparison in which all pieces of data are compared with other data(stories/incidents).
13. Process oriented and allows for change over time, describing stages and phases inherent in a particular experience.
Re: Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals, Second Edition. Authors: Janice M. Morse, Peggy Anne Field. Chapman & Hall, 1995.
1. It is developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967).
2. It is to address issues raised within sociology about the understanding of human behavior (Hikikomori) based on the quantitative paradigm and statistically average behavior.
3. The theorical base is symbolic interactionism.
4. Meaning: human behavior (Hikikomori) is develped through interaction with others, through continuous processes of negotiation and renegotiation.
5. People construct their own realities from the symbols around them through interaction rather than through a static reaction to symbols.
6. Therefore, individuals are active participants in creating meaning in a situation (isolating oneself).
7. The primary purpose is to generate explanatory theories of human behavior (hikikomori).
8. Theory is discovered, developed, and then verified through systematic data collection and analysis of data related to an identified phenomenon (isolation of teens).
9. Data collection, sampling, and analysis all occur simultaneously as the study progresses, and sampling and further data collection are based on the emerging theory.
10. Participants are selected based on their knowledge of the topic(hikikomori) and on the needs of the developing theory, a process called theoretical sampling.
11. Data are generally collected through unstructured interviews, observations, and other fieldwork techniques.
12. Analysis techniques include constant comparison in which all pieces of data are compared with other data(stories/incidents).
13. Process oriented and allows for change over time, describing stages and phases inherent in a particular experience.
Re: Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals, Second Edition. Authors: Janice M. Morse, Peggy Anne Field. Chapman & Hall, 1995.
Qualitative Research
If I want to do a study on Hikikomori, it will be very much as a qualitative research at the moment. The issue is too new, too naive, and too little research or reports had been done. Even if there is any, it is commonly contain only one voice, and heavily influenced by the authors perspective and background.
Hikikomori is a phenomenon of youth that isolated themselves for more than six months. Now, issues aroused with this phenomenon: First, is this a typical Japanese phenomenon? Second, is this only a problem of youth? Third, is there any other definitions for Hikikomori? Forth, are there any stages towards Hikikomori? Fifth, how do we identify one Hikikomori? Sixth, what are the symptoms, what are they doing? Seventh, what is the background to it? Eighth, what is/are the trigger factor/factors? Ninth, what is the impact to the society? Tenth, what are these people experiencing is it what others in the society experiencing as well?
When we count and think carefully about this questions, we can go on for more and more. Exploring is the key!
In qualitative research, there are certain things that we need to look at. First, the developed theory may serve several important functions within a discipline. Question now is which discipline is directly involved or concern with this issue? Psychiatric? Social Workers? Clinical Psychologist? Schools? Somehow, I think church needs to get into this! If what the report had been true in Japan, one percent of the population were shutting themselves up in a room, that is a tremendous figure! One million, at least. It is ridiculous if the church is just going to sit there, and do nothing of it!
In Hong Kong, a similar report had made a projection of Hikikomori in Hong Kong increased from 6,000 to 18,000 within six months. We need to be very careful in this area. Same questions needed to be ask, and validity of the claim needed to be carefully examined. Isolation as a total social withdrawal demonstrated a "sick" society, it might not be the person who is doing this is sick, but it could be a action of complaining through living as a hermit.
"What is happening here?" is a question.
The findings should open a window into the worlds of others, providing empathic understanding of the world. The theory thus enables the readers to make sense of otherwise incomprehensible situations and behaviors. How groups of people live? how people cope with their daily lives?
The theory should be used in quantitative research later, as a conceptual framework, a provide explanation for other unexpected quantitative results.
Reference: Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals, Second Edition. Janice M. Morse, Peggy Anne Field. Chapman & Hall, 1995.
Hikikomori is a phenomenon of youth that isolated themselves for more than six months. Now, issues aroused with this phenomenon: First, is this a typical Japanese phenomenon? Second, is this only a problem of youth? Third, is there any other definitions for Hikikomori? Forth, are there any stages towards Hikikomori? Fifth, how do we identify one Hikikomori? Sixth, what are the symptoms, what are they doing? Seventh, what is the background to it? Eighth, what is/are the trigger factor/factors? Ninth, what is the impact to the society? Tenth, what are these people experiencing is it what others in the society experiencing as well?
When we count and think carefully about this questions, we can go on for more and more. Exploring is the key!
In qualitative research, there are certain things that we need to look at. First, the developed theory may serve several important functions within a discipline. Question now is which discipline is directly involved or concern with this issue? Psychiatric? Social Workers? Clinical Psychologist? Schools? Somehow, I think church needs to get into this! If what the report had been true in Japan, one percent of the population were shutting themselves up in a room, that is a tremendous figure! One million, at least. It is ridiculous if the church is just going to sit there, and do nothing of it!
In Hong Kong, a similar report had made a projection of Hikikomori in Hong Kong increased from 6,000 to 18,000 within six months. We need to be very careful in this area. Same questions needed to be ask, and validity of the claim needed to be carefully examined. Isolation as a total social withdrawal demonstrated a "sick" society, it might not be the person who is doing this is sick, but it could be a action of complaining through living as a hermit.
"What is happening here?" is a question.
The findings should open a window into the worlds of others, providing empathic understanding of the world. The theory thus enables the readers to make sense of otherwise incomprehensible situations and behaviors. How groups of people live? how people cope with their daily lives?
The theory should be used in quantitative research later, as a conceptual framework, a provide explanation for other unexpected quantitative results.
Reference: Qualitative Research Methods for Health Professionals, Second Edition. Janice M. Morse, Peggy Anne Field. Chapman & Hall, 1995.
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