無價的寶藏 PRICELESS TREASURES
PRELUDE
前言
不管在哪裡工作，人們好奇的是我們工作時的所得；不管做什麼服務工作，人們有興趣的議題是錢從哪裡來。No matter what kinds of work we do, people are curious about each others' income. Whatever humanitarian actions we partake, people are interested in learning where the budget is from.
有時候我不大確定工作的種類及服務方面的事宜，必須以金錢來界定，其最主要的因素就是，世界很大，人們的工作多元，但不論如何一個人頂多身兼數職，在這樣的景況之下，人們受到智力、能力、才氣等制衡而造成收入的多寡，不過，這種收入是否真的可以定義一個人的潛力發展前景，有待商榷；
在無償服務的世界也是如此，不論多麼想獻身於服務的行動之中，一個人的力量仍然有限，只是，在有侷限性質的範圍當中，找到某個可以服務的區塊中的人民，因為沒有其他實質助益者而開始服務行動時，這種服務行動的廣度與深度到底該如何發展，和這當中所有的人物的觀念及作為有具體甘係，尤其當這些人願意共同開發彼此的潛在可能時，這種服務的回收恐怕並非金錢價值，得以估算。
Often, I am uncertain whether we should define our professions or serving the others based on monetary terms or currencies; as far as I can see, since the world is large, each individual can embark on a variety of jobs which may not be limited or confined by the amount of income when s/he has his/her potential fully developed. Likewise, in the world of helping the others without asking any favors for return, each individual can begin such a road by taking actions, esp. as long as there are groups of people who need help but without any assistances; when such individual takes such actions, alongside with those whom are uplifted material- or spiritual-wise, once their potentials are all ignited for more possibilities, I am uncertain whether such service works can be evaluated by any currencies at all.
証據
EVIDENCES
一天，一位令人尊敬的業界長官對我說：
One
day, a person working in the corporate world as a supervisor told me, “Teacher
Hope, I donate XXX amount for the support of meals towards people living in XXX
region annually. What do you think?”
「老師，我每年捐錢給xxx提供xxx地區人民餐點，您覺得如何?」
I asked this person from where the information was learned, and whether there’re photos or stories to be told as proof: it is not customary for people from my part of the world to actually step onto areas where assistances are needed, so my presumption is that this person has never been to the XXX region.
情知我們的風俗、文化、習慣中，人們不大可能「親臨現場」服務，自然，這位長官不會到達過XXX地區，於是，我請問這位長官消息來源自何處，是否有該組織及機構之相關服務照片得以佐証。
“It’s
a personal account we wire money into. They send cards to thank us every year.”
「我們匯款的是一個個人帳戶。每一年他們寄一張卡片來謝謝我們。」
A friend next to us said, "At least there should be a receipt!" 在我們旁邊的友人則說「至少也要有收據!」
而我則是請這位前輩還是著手查証為要。
As for me, I asked this person to double check for clarification.
So many years after I initiated projects to help the others, I have not really done any public fundraising, asking people for money without providing evidences.
在進行服務工作如此經年累月之久的歷程中，我從來沒有進行過公開募款，尤其在沒有提供任何証據的情況之下，以貧窮人口的名義請人施捨金錢給那些我所服務的地區的人民們，並且透過我來轉交。
行動
ACTIONS
This person's experience of donation reminds me of those moments, that, I, too, donated money to charties before my curiosity took over--I begain to venture into the unknown territories helping the needed in the global village.
這個事件導致我回溯了自己的助人歷程，在初始，也會將部份所得捐輸給慈善機構；然而，過不了多久，在實驗及研究的精神之下，我因為開始好奇這些慈善組織到底在做什麼，而以自己為初始行動者，踏入了無償服務他人的歷程。
These actions trigger another
quite popular question people like to raise upon knowing that I've self-initiated
a few service projects at different parts of the world would be,
“Do you do these things because of your religious
belief?”
這樣的歷程當然促成了另一個人們非常喜歡詢問我的問題：
「妳的宗教信仰是什麼? 妳是因為宗教的關係而做這些妳在做的事情嗎?」
我的答案是我尊重每一個宗教的教義、我喜歡了解各種不同宗教、尤其在這些宗教並不使人產生燒殺擄掠的情況之下。
但是說到我所做的事情的本身最原始的動機，除了追根究抵之外，當然，也來自於我認為自己應該在各地分享自己的知能和所得。
My
answer is I respect every religion, which is with many aspects to be
learned from, particularly in their scriptures or preaching, and particularly
when these religions do not ask or teach people to be the sources of wars,
disputes, and fights. Nevertheless, for the things I do to willing assist the others, I am convinced I need
to share with those who are even strangers what I have learned and earned, alongside with the fact that I have wished to find out what helping the others is truly about.
在這所有的宗教當中，佛教教義裡面談及的五毒—貪、嗔、痴、慢、疑—是我們這些文明人個個都帶有的心中之毒，這種毒害我慢慢理解，是我在初始身為一位空服人員百思不得其解的要點所在……當時的我很不能明白，為什麼在飛機帶著我們飛翔到世界各地迎賓送客的過程裡面，總是有無數不同膚色、種族、國籍等等人士，有能夠環遊世界的資本、也可以享受搭乘飛機這種地球上至少百分之八、九十以上人口無法搭乘的交通工具，但是卻流露出完全的不愉快、不耐煩、暴燥、憂心等等種種不同的負面情緒，即便在歷經了到達世界各地景點之前或之後。
I am
from a comparatively modern, advanced part of the world where people are
affected by the five vices, greed, anger, addiction, pride, and doubt,
described by the religious beliefs in Buddhism. Originally I was quite
confused, for as a former flight attendant welcoming passengers from different
parts of the world with their various backgrounds, I almost always found though passengers whom I had the pleasure to serve on board were equipped with enough financial capabilities to travel to everywhere
in the world, these individuals seemed to be unhappy, angry, disappointed, blue and so on. These passengers carried with them many negative emotions, even after famous tourist spots were visited before or after they took the airplane for some world-famous tourist spots. Many seemed to be motionless towards the privilege we enjoyed, as we belong to those
10 to 20% of the global population who could have opted airplanes as means of
transportation!
接著來到了世界的邊陲地帶，與所謂落後、貧窮人口相處，眼見他們的相對單純以及樂天知命，我才理解原來我們所中的毒之深，已經讓我們產生某種慣性：
遇到不同的人、事、物時，先「貪」圖自己可以貪圖的、
「嗔怒」於自己所看不慣的、
「痴」迷於心中所想及所望、
「傲慢」於地位不均等的對比之中、
以及事事先「懷疑」再談下一步。
Later
on I have been spending time with countless individuals or communities at poor
regions globally. To witness how comparatively content these people in the less fortunate regions are is an
eye-opening experience, leading me to realize how seriously influenced people in the rich parts of the world become in terms of those five vices peppering people's lives which make people want to eagerly
obtain things or people we can own, angry towards issues upsetting us, addicted
to substances, material life, and/or people or things we feel we need, proud
because we believe we are superior to the others, and doubt whatever comes in
front of our eyes.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
經費的來源
Once
somebody knowing me well said to me, “Have you asked your parents for financial support regarding things you’re doing? After all, those things you do are extremely
kind! I am sure they’d like to chip in!”
有一回，一位舊識試探性詢問著我：
「妳曾向妳父母募過款嗎? 妳做的這種好事，他們應該很想共襄盛舉吧?!」
In fact, I was a bit surprised this friend of mine would say things this way. It reminded me of another friend informing me that during a banquet, this friend of mine overheard some people discussing how they could get more money from their parents…
In my view, had I thought about asking my parents for financial support in terms of anything to start with, I should have done that when I earned my higher degree overseas. It is simply under the determination that I could have managed things myself that I do not feel comfortable to ask anyone for any financial support.
對於友人這樣的談話方式我有些剎異，這就像另一位友人在某個飯局中，聽聞席間人士談論「如何把父母的財產弄到手……」般。
在我個人的觀點來說，如果在過去我就從經思想過這方面事宜，那麼我不會主動去積累自己要到國外求學的錢財，而之所以反其道而行的價值觀也相當單純：
吾有能力可自負其責、包括金錢上的責任。
這樣的觀點延伸到我所進行的全球落後地區服務工作上，我總覺得雖然仍有不少前輩、長官們的口頭關心甚至金錢上的慰勞，讓我可以有些許額外的經費以茲運用，但沒有對外公開募款的自己，不但相信自己在能力上可以應付裕如，更也相信如果初始我就代表那些窮苦人口向各界募款，那就代表我對他們的潛力視若無睹，認為他們無可救藥所以用金錢才能拉得回來。
假若信念為此，那麼我所進行的服務工作的格局，應該不是如此這般—
因為今天的我更加確信，我們每個人都具有無限的潛力，可以面對無窮的挑戰，這當中最要緊的是如何把那份潛力、包括我自己的潛力，不斷開挖。
Then,
it comes to the whole idea of how to empower people so that all those individuals
SENSE they can actively take part in changing their own lives, not to WAIT UNTIL someone brings such people food and resources. That is why during the journey
to east Africa this year, I have begun to imagine that all the schools there,
like Mr. & Mrs. Sempettah’s land and all the land belonging to my brothers
and sisters having produced fruits and vegetables, based on the original “Oasis
Project,” would further produce many fruit trees and vegetables in the long run at each and every campus of the public schools so that enough nutrients can feed the students who go hungry on a daily basis, especially after my experimentation with the students regarding their creative skills which were remarkable! Thus, for the "Oasis School Project" also dubbed by me, in my imagination, teachers or faculty members will not be the ones growing such things for their students. Instead, it will be the students learning how to
grow fruits and vegetables in times of rainy seasons and droughts… In the days
to come, these students will grow up: they will know how to grow things to feed
themselves and their family members.
所以，在服務人群和物種的世界裡面，雖然我是以己身為苗芽而開始了這樣的服務工作，但是這種服務面向卻把具體的力量散播給所有我所服務的人群，於是，大家會盡其所能開發自我潛能，而非等候別人把飯菜端給我們吃。
這也就是在今夏確切了知當時的「綠洲計畫」目前已經來到占地五、六千坪已開墾而種滿結實累累的水果、蔬菜，並仍持續擴展後，我進一步想與在也人士推行讓所有的在地學校都變成「綠洲學校」的計畫，鼓勵學校以蔬菜、水果樹等綠化校園，不但美化原本看似寸草不生的校園，更增加學生自我栽種蔬果的能力，讓他們不論在旱季或雨季，即便離開校園，也至少可以種出蔬果以求溫飽。
“You
have visions, Hope, grand visions, and we are the pillars here to realize all
those visions of yours.” Maggie, Koileken’s sister-in-law, also my sister, used
to say these words to me years ago when we were sitting across from Koileken’s
and Penina’s humble, little house, appreciating the cattle and sunset, before they built their current house. Today,
Maggie maintains the same notion. From that moment until now, many months and years
have passed. Honestly, the time span is not an issue. What matters is what
happens in between and in the future.
「妳有遠大的理想及抱負，而我們就是協助妳完成妳的理想和抱負的椿腳，」
可雷根的弟妹瑪格，也是在東非當地「認養了我」的好姊妹，如此說著。
她不只如今這樣說，在多年前她也曾經如此說，只是這樣的話語的中間涵蓋了歲歲年年……然而，究竟是多少的歲月也不重要了，重要的是從當時至今，我們歷經了多少故事和體現了多少可能。
Maggie herself is a person with vision. As a teacher focusing on special education, Maggie tackles issues many cannot dare to investigate, as education special-needed children need much patience. Her wise words frequently echo loudly in my ears.
瑪格自己就是一位充滿遠見之人，身為一位特殊教育工作者，她所處理、教學的學童們是許許多多同在教育界的人士，見到就要敬退三舍的學生。她充滿睿智的談話也常在我心。
貧與富
POVERTY AND WEALTH
洛克菲勒是一位著名的實業家，當他在世的時候曾經為他的孩子寫了一本書，而這本書是由諸多洛氏親筆信所組成。在這本書當中他描述了自己從十分貧困的家庭，力爭上游變成世界首富的過程，他也相當擔心自己的後代會因為含著金湯匙出生，而成為沒有競爭力的人。
Rockefeller was a famous entrepreneur, who, when alive, wrote many letters forming a book to his son. In this book, the then richest person in the world described how he became successful out of nothing, and he was concerned when his son was born into such a rich background, his son risked the danger of becoming unsuccessful in the end.
實際上，從古至今人們非常的著迷與是否能夠成功。我們常常聽到的故事是一些成功的典範，不過卻也有許許多多從含著金湯匙出生，但卻成為扶不起的阿斗的故事，卻相對來講比較鮮少為人所知，其中最主要的原因是真正的當事人，其實不大會向外人述說這些細節，除非他們是眾所週知的名人並且經由媒體大肆渲染。
In fact, for centuries, people are very much attracted by the notion of being successful or not. We are so focused
on success that when people have really become unsuccessful from the top of the
world, it seems we seldom hear such stories, for the truths may not be revealed
by the individuals themselves, unless such individuals are already chased after
by the media due to their previously existing fame or fortune.
相對於成功，貧窮這樣的事情是許多人希望敬謝不敏的，由於對於貧窮的望而生畏，人們只要聽到到有關窮苦人民的報導就會感到「最好這樣的事情離我越遠越好」，只不過在電台服務的時間點，當播報文教新聞的時候觸及有關全球先進國度的自殺率節節攀升的相關報導，一個事實明顯的擺在了我的眼前：
物質上面的匱乏也許是一種問題，
不過神層面上面的匱乏也具有相當嚴重的殺傷力。
Country to success, poverty seems to be
something people would like to be away from, resulting the fact whenever
there’s anything in relation to poverty, people are scared. Nonetheless when I
was editing and reporting a certain pieces of news in the radio station I worked under the
educational and cultural news program, a piece of news really caught my eye:
suicidal rate in developed nations is getting higher and higher. This shows poverty of the
human mind and heart instead of poverty material-wise can be very problematic.
很多人跟我說過：「那些人窮到那種地步，我根本不忍心看到他們!!!」
Many have told me that “Uh… Those poor people… They are so poor that
I do not even know how to look at them in the eye!”
不過，如果不能徹底了解，我們是無法正面迎擊貧窮這樣的事情的。
In my idea, without truly understanding poverty, we cannot
tackle poverty to its core, solving the problems related to poverty.
也有很多人跟我說過：「那些人之所以那麼窮，都是自找的!!!」
Many have also told me that “Those people should blame no one but themselves
for being that poor.”
這句話在我看來，就像是有人在我面前說過「沒人叫活在先進社會、有錢有閒的人去自殺呀! 那是他們自找的」一樣，因為我們可能無法想像什麼樣的天災、人禍，可以帶給人何種處境；正是基於如此，我們應該把協助他人當成家常便飯。
一如國共戰爭時我們必須仰賴國際社會的援助，有著繡有他國名稱的米袋、麵粉袋進入我們的世界，而我們的先祖再將這些糧袋拆解做成內衣、衣服而穿，或者不同國籍傳教士進駐到不同地點，同時助人脫貧以及傳教，是一樣的道理。
Upon hearing this, I would recall someone saying something identical in front of me “Who ask those living in rich, developed nations to kill themselves when they have enough to spend and eat?! They ask that themselves!”
Usually, I wonder whether
we have really considered about the sorts of natural disasters and/or human actions
resulting such poverty level or people's killing themselves. That is why it is really better to help out whenever we can. It is like the moment when Asia-Pacific region, our
region, faced internal wars, we had received donations weaving names of other
nations on the sacks of rice or flour. After consuming the food inside, many
utilized the bags for shirts and so on through sewing. Moreover, missionaries
were around, helping out while spreading God’s love and teachings.
我們不可能今天在角色異位後，就忘卻這些上個世紀前人所得到的幫助的種種歷程，不是嗎?
Today
when we do not need such support, should we forget that our forefathers were
assisted during the last century?
那麼，如果大家都認為我是XXX色人種，我優於XXX色人種的話，今天這個地球村，大家還能夠自在而平安地飛行至世界各地嗎? 我們只要想想當我們洽公或者旅遊時，坐在我們身旁的飛機上的其他旅客的膚色就好，我們其實真正搭乘的是五顏六色的綜合班機!
In
other words, when people deem that I am XXX skin color, which is better than
XXX skin color, today, I wonder whether we can safely fly everywhere in the
world, since when we sit on the airplanes for business or pleasure, there are
so many people with all skin colors making each and every aircraft rainbow
flight!
I
never say it’s wrong to publicly ask for money when it comes to helping the
others. Simply, I would still expect myself to be more reserved before there’s
any publicly announced fundraising events related to my services globally, until those
moments arrive when the scopes of my service work is indeed more solid and
larger, bearing in mind that those from the richer parts of the world, once
being there, are absorbing the atmosphere there to the utmost, forgetting most
of the vices according to Buddhism while learners or people in the corporate world feel more enlightened,
with higher aspirations once returning to the developed regions.
關於助益他人、事、物之相關諸事，我從不認為不該公開募款，只是對我個人來說，我還是傾向於保守，應該是說，直到服務規模與效度有其更為宏觀之勢時，或可考慮。
同時，我也無法相忘於先進國家、地區人士達到這些落後地帶時，他們所受到的衝擊、增色的生命如何更加擁有向陽之力，使他們不論在求學或者就業之上，都可以更好地面對佛教中的所謂五毒。
Please tell me who needs to be fundraised by whom, as those living in the rich parts of the world can also travel to the poor regions of the world to find their spirits nourished, that they are more goal oriented and more positive.
那麼請告訴我，在這樣的架構之下，到底誰要需要被幫助?
募的款項該給誰呢?
那些生活在富裕地點但是被五毒所侵的人，難道不需要助益嗎?
Besides, because my service work is related humanitarian actions all but self-initiated, and because I have never gone bankruptcy, I wonder whether it is our Creator’s will that perhaps all those whom I have worked with will also be very self-sustainable in the days to come after all our potentials are excavated from the bottom of our mind, heart, and soul, so that we have enough faith, hope, and love, preaching in Christianity and from the Catholic church to face any challenges.
在此同時，我也不由得捫心自問，既然這種從自己的角度出發、看似毫無章法的全球服務工作都沒有讓我餓到、或者破產，那麼，也許這正是上天的旨意，要我持續開發自己的可能，於是，在我身邊這些我所助益的人、事、物，是否也會無限延伸地開發自我潛能直到極致，以致於不但可以克服五毒之害，甚至能夠滿滿充盈著正向能量，發揮著信、望、愛這種基督及天主教義中的特質?
Well,
stories will unfold themselves. We will just have to wait and see! 我只能說故事仍無限延伸……我們但且拭目以待!!!
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