www.iva.co.uk

Every now and then, no matter how bad things seem something happens to make you realise that things could be an awful lot worse.

Some areas of the Philippines have been devastated by typhoons, tropical storms and flooding. We have a factory in Manila, and when I logged on to our intranet this morning I saw an appeal for clothes and blankets to help them out as they are heading for their winter.

The appeal is being arranged by our US office, and I've asked my boss if we can have a collection here.

It's made me realise that although I may not have a lot of money, I have a roof over my head, food on the table and clothes to wear.

You're quite right Skippy. I try to refrain from moaning about what I have, or don't have since I visited Malawi on my honeymoon. It's then that you realise that there is always someone with absolutely nothing but they can still smile. My 12 year old went to Zambia with his grandmother for 2 weeks in the summer to visit his Uncle who lives there. What an education that was for him, he appreciates how lucky he is now. He met AIDS orphans and people who live in shacks. He said he felt like giving them all his clothes and possessions.

Well done for doing a collection, the world is a cruel place.

Nic xx

Life is good! I think anyone who has a debt solution in place should be in a very good place indeed.
our finances are only one aspect of our lives. It does not define who we are. We are way more than people with financial issues. We are colleagues, bosses, parents, children, friends, neighbours to name just a few. I think it is all to easy to lose sigh of this though.
As a reiki master, I have a little mantra I say daily: "just for today, I will not be angry or worry. I will show appreciation, work hard and be kind."
This reminds me to count my blessings and appreciate what I have on a daily basis as well as reminding me to do what I can for others. [:)]

Personally I'm struggling with my IPA payments, so I won't think I'm in a very good place until I make the last one next year!

Seriously, it does make you think about what's important - apparently as well as losing their homes these people may have to face cholera and other infectious diseases while it's hot, and as winter is on it's way there is the worry about the cold.

I deal with people in the Philippines on a daily basis and they are the friendliest, most helpful people you could imagine and I hope I'm allowed to do something for them. I've got to wait and see if my boss will approve this, and then see if it's actually worth doing - I've just been told that in some countries clearing clothes through customs can cost a fortune.

Oh so true and always humbles me.

We went to Sri Lanka in April 2004 and saw first hand the devastation caused by the Tsunami. The people were still living in places which can only be described as garden sheds! They had no kitchen utensils and even took to asking people for £5 so they could get some pots. It really bought it home to me.

I hope you can have a collection Skip - that's a good idea. You would think for this sort of thing any customs payments would be waived.

I am thankful that these sort of things don't affect me here.

I don't think I am in a good place with a debt solution - I would rather be able to pay all my debts every month or have the IVA completed so I can get on with my life.