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I find this remarkable. We don't always have the opportunity to meet someone who can put her personal agenda on hold in order to make a real difference in the world. In fact, her personal agenda seems to be peace in all of its manifestations. This is one special woman, and I'm really glad I met her. I asked her if we could do an interview for the magazine about her experience. Here are her answers. I've paraphrased them just a touch because this special woman is in Greece and needs just a little help writing in English. Lizzie: How did you hear about this project? Ruth: Watching TV. The Doctors of the World asked during the news for help in bringing drugs, food supplies, blankets, these sorts of things, to Iraq. Lizzie: What was your initial reaction? Did you really think it would help? Are you satisfied with the experience, has it done what you'd hoped? Ruth: Together with their request, there was also a film played. It showed a schoolteacher and her pupils already helping out and my first reaction was to get tears in my eyes... and feeling good that people are willing to help. Then I just felt that it's nice to feel good seeing other people help, but one should not stop there. I thought that this is a good chance to do something practical and, with in a bit of egoism, it would give me something to do where I can forget about my own troubles. I know it's not nice to feel better by seeing others in worse conditions... but it's a physical reaction, don't you think? And, in the end, I did help. Yesterday's news told us that 32 tons of supplies were sent to Baghdad and 6 Greek doctors in the organization got permission to stay and help in the hospitals.... was I feeling proud!! Lizzie: What made you want to get involved? Ruth: The feeling that any war is unfair for anyone involved, in this and in every war. I'm sorry to say it, but it is the truth. Europe is outraged by the way Bush handled this thing. Lizzie: Not all Americans support this action, either. What is it about how Bush handled it that disturbs you? Do you think that America is acting too selfishly? How do you think we could have handled it better? How does our decision affect your life? Ruth: It disturbs me when someone suggests that they are offering what is "good" for other people without asking them if they want this "good" that he says that he will give to them. And it's a lie. You cannot change the mentality and habits of a country just because you want them to be otherwise. Everything is just about oil and geographical proximity. It is very clear that America wishes to "sit" in the middle of this country for strategically beneficial reasons. Ok, I know everything is planned in a way we will not always understand, high politics, but I would prefer to be ruled by people I can understand, believe me. My decision does not affect my life because it has meant that I have changed in my feelings or my habits, but it surely makes me feel better about myself, because it is the first time I did not only think about doing something but actually did do it. Lizzie: What kinds of supplies are included? Ruth: Antibiotics, painkillers, gauze, iodine and general first aid supplies. Food: rice, spaghetti, water, olive oil, cookies, mild, baby formula, powdered milk. Lizzie: Who supplies these items? Ruth: Plain and usually poor people (the people who understand what it means not having things you need to have to live). Then there was a lot of help of from the drug industry. We got boxes of injections, antibiotics. Lizzie: How do you feel about the war? Ruth: OUTRAGED.... it is not fair. The propaganda that goes out on both sides and the pictures I can finally see from satellite TV tells very different stories. Lizzie: Can you give me some examples? Ruth: The TV shows America and England bombing hospitals, houses, marketplaces . right in the middle of the day... a boy alone in a hospital room, his family bombed off, only the boy lived...and lost both his arms...about 10 years old.... what more do you need to see? I know, American soldiers are dying also, they have mothers and families too...why did they go there? And they get paid for all this. Iraqi people are living in their country...they did not invite anyone to " free" them. Lizzie: What do you think could be done better? Ruth: Put the world in women's hands ? Lizzie: Great answer, and I agree! You say that some supplies have already reached Baghdad, how do you know this? Ruth: We saw it on TV and a reporter who managed to go with the truck told us everything. For now, it is allowed to bring only drugs. The food-supplies still wait on the Jordanian border. Lizzie: Do you have any idea when the food may be allowed to pass through? Ruth: No, we do not know yet. That has to do with the army, they want people hungry and thirsty so they can't resist too much, in my opinion. Lizzie: How does it make you feel? Ruth: Helping out or that the trucks are going there? In both ways, I'm very happy to give with so little effort. It's such a big help to people who really have nothing anymore. Lizzie: Give me a little paragraph to encourage others to help .. you know, how good it feels inside, the impact it has made on you.... Ruth: To this I have to say that I am of the women who are very strong inside but not in a way that we've noticed before. You see, if one is strong, one just is, no one needs to tell you. It might take you some time to realize...(or someone like Lizzie to tell you) and you might be surprised by what comes out of you, if you let it come to the surface... I am also a woman who loves deeply, thinks a lot, reacts strongly, makes decisions quickly for a lifetime...in short: over-emotional. That is GOOD!!! For many years I thought that it was a minus if you were this way. People use you a lot. They don't even think about hurting you because they know that you will forgive them. But, believe me, in the end it is the only thing that counts when you hear others saying, "she (he) is a good guy". that's what will count when we leave this world for other places ... because that is what, from as far as we can look back at our history, always counted. If something "lives ' over so many thousands of years and in every nation of the world in every religion or myth or mentality, then this can't be wrong. I woke up too late, but I woke up. I still have time to do things that pleases me and helps others. I will continue... Lizzie: What are your hopes about the future of Iraq? Ruth: I would like the war stop and the Iraqi people to make decisions for themselves, meaning not Saddam or Bush. Let them live the way they believe they want to...based on the Koran or whatever. There is only one God...who cares about his name? Lizzie: Wonderful answer. How does it feel to be a hero? Ruth: I would not know! Lizzie: Ah, yes, you do know. How can others get involved? Ruth: Just by sending supplies or giving a hand. One or two hours is enough... and, you know... Athens has about 4 million people and in these situations the Greek people really are very helpful. I am proud! Next article: Modern Day Neanderthal Previous article: Nick -- Another Prophet Without Honor |
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