March 2010 CR1 filers

[BigSigh 12]

Indigo, I have taken my butt to Latin America and done a small but very small contribution (I handed out baggies with toothbrushes and toothpaste and a little MCD's toy in them). My husband and I always give to the kids or trade candies with them because everyone likes to sell mint flavored gum and just mint candies so we trade with them for other candies or we will give them some candies if we have 10 already. My husband likes to have an actual conversation with them and find out how they are doing and where they are from. The kids are mostly scared of me because I am white as snow but once he starts talking to them, they warm up to me. . One of the best times I think that we had helping a child was when we actually went to the rich area of town (my husband is from one of the poor areas) and we went to eat at a restaurant. They don't let the children "bother" their customers (what a better place than to go where people actually have money or could help out). But we finished out meal and were trying to talk to the girl as the waitress was shooing her off. We gave her some (untouched) leftovers right under the waitresses nose. Since I'm white, the waitress didn't say anything. How on earth could you refuse a child a meal? That was just mind blowing. I always feel bad that I can't do more to help out financially. Last time I was there, I spent a lot of time inside so I didn't get to help out anyone very much. It is very heartbreaking to see children wandering around at all hours of the night with no place to go and hardly a stitch of clothing on.

[BigSigh 12]

What I meant by acting locally is something like joining a grassroots org or gathering a bunch of resources to make a big contribution. Every little thing counts but if you can get a whole group to give a country a shot in the arm that makes a nice impact as well. Of course it takes a mixture of time and money to help other's out. Some times the time is more valuable than the money. Just depends on the sitch.

[rvince 0]

I am of the opinion that you cannot make much of a difference in your local community if you live in Western world. Here, most people already are literate. So teaching them a few new mathematical theorem does nothing to them. And to a person who earns $1400 a month, making $200 more doesn't change a whole lot.

However, if you were to take you butt to a poor country and teach a child how to read, write and give him a proper mean to earn just $1 a day, you can make visible and tangible changes to his life. I've noticed this first hand. And the instant gratification you get when a child tells you a story in English, who would otherwise be rolling in street filth, is more than I can ever describe. If anyone of you have the luxury to take off a few months and want to make a change, go to Asia, Latin America, or Africa. Do something good. Otherwise adopt a orphan through various websites. Join up KIVA.com, give small loans to poor people who can turn your $500 dollars into a booming family business.

Teya, I think you're on here too much. Don't change it. USCIS's last approval was from NOA1 date 10-MARCH-2010. It's creeping along, so slowly. But atleast it's moving.

I agree with you totally. There are parts of the Philippines where a little effort can make a big difference for many families. Its an amazing feeling to see the difference you make first hand. It can be a life changing experience for both sides. I will checkout Kiva.com and see what I can do.

As for the creeping approvals. It's just heart breaking to see how things have slowed down so dramatically since april.. I only see 17 approvals for the month of May, and the pattern seems to be continuing for June. But I pray everyday that something will happen and things will get rolling THIS MONTH.

[IndigoSkies 168]

You win some kudos from me. I don't mean to be a jerk but try doing something that will be a little more like giving the man a net so he can fish, rather than giving him a fish or, in your case, toothbrush and candies. Next time you go, why not make a pledge that you will make sure a street kid goes to school for 3 years. Pay his school fee, book price, etc. Buy him the school uniform and etc. There are local NGO's that will gladly take on this task on your behalf. You'll be make a real and tangible change in his or her life. You light up one child's life with education, you light up a nation down the line. Who knows that kid my find cure for cancer one day or be the first human on Mars.

Still my hats off to you to stop and to recognize a human being when you went. I once took a poor street kid to a 5 star restaurant and told the waiters to serve the boy whatever he liked. but the kid was so modest. He clearly felt like he was infringing on us. He ate just a normal amount of rice dish and he was gone. Not gone like he was taking advantage of us. But gone because he was probably going to cry the next moment. He left the table sort of feeling like "who needs you, I'm a street kid, I'll survive. You don't need to help me." Hard to explain. But yeah.

You win some kudos from me. I don't mean to be a jerk but try doing something that will be a little more like giving the man a net so he can fish, rather than giving him a fish or, in your case, toothbrush and candies. Next time you go, why not make a pledge that you will make sure a street kid goes to school for 3 years. Pay his school fee, book price, etc. Buy him the school uniform and etc. There are local NGO's that will gladly take on this task on your behalf. You'll be make a real and tangible change in his or her life. You light up one child's life with education, you light up a nation down the line. Who knows that kid my find cure for cancer one day or be the first human on Mars.

Still my hats off to you to stop and to recognize a human being when you went. I once took a poor street kid to a 5 star restaurant and told the waiters to serve the boy whatever he liked. but the kid was so modest. He clearly felt like he was infringing on us. He ate just a normal amount of rice dish and he was gone. Not gone like he was taking advantage of us. But gone because he was probably going to cry the next moment. He left the table sort of feeling like "who needs you, I'm a street kid, I'll survive. You don't need to help me." Hard to explain. But yeah.

[TomD 4]

Hat's off to Tom and Teya.

I think you guys hit the nail on the head with your words. One other thing I would add is to those that are homeless... Tom, when you have visited the Phil's you probably saw this, young children, filthy dirty, no shoes and in bad need of a haircut with their hand out for pesos.....

KB,

Yes I saw all that and more. Begging unfortunately is an accepted practice in PI. I dont think you can avoid it. Even in Makati...

I also was surprise buy how well the locals accept it. There is great charity there but it comes from different places. Like most Americans I dont like pan handlers. Things are just seen differently there and in other places around the world. No one is afraid or shy to ask for things.

My wife's nephews (6 of them) came to her because she was one of the ones with a JOB and ask for some assistance. She told them she was married now and they needed to speak to me. They did and wanted us to buy them some Basketball uniforms because they has a little city league that they were in and needed to have there own team shirts. I listened to them when they came to me then told them I like basket ball myself and understood why they wanted to play. I then told them that I was not accustom to giving things away. I was always taught that nobody rides for free. They looked at me and each other wondering what I was speaking about. I told them none of them were working and they dropped out of school so they had lots of time on their hands to play Basketball but they also had time to do other things. I told them we would buy them what they needed but they also had to do something to earn it. I ask each of them to give 2 days of community service to any organization and they could choose. If they agreed to that then we would buy them what they needed. At first they just sat there then I ask them if they understood and a few said yes. I told them they would feel good about it and will be appreciated by those they help just as they appreciate our helping them.

At Christmas time my wife and I went to several places to give the poor some gifts. One place was for abandon elderly and mentally challenged people. It was run by the church and there were a few staff people there but most workers were Volunteers. Young ladies in their teens. I wondered where are the boys... My wife handed out the food & personal items we had bought and I was allowed to play Santa and handout small bars of chocolate. They just love Chocolate over there expecially if it come from the US. Then we also went to a home for abused children. That was real enjoyable. The kids were hanging on me like leaves to a tree. They kept pulling on the hair on my arms cause they dont have any and I am blonde. To be honest they all seemed well care for and happy. Some were even pretty open with what had happened to them. They didn't speak English but they told my wife who told me. Sad but true. I also played Santa their with the Chocolate... I was a big hit... I got all the candy on sale after Holloween haha They didnt mind...

[IndigoSkies 168]

As for the creeping approvals. It's just heart breaking to see how things have slowed down so dramatically since april.. I only see 17 approvals for the month of May, and the pattern seems to be continuing for June. But I pray everyday that something will happen and things will get rolling THIS MONTH.

I doubt it. It will keep being this slow and get slower. USCIS didn't hire any people recently. But I got a whiff that CSC is sending some cases to VSC to load balance.

[BigSigh 12]

Indigo, perhaps if I made more than $6,000 a year, I would be able to do things like that. Every small part helps no matter what it is.

Sounds like you are a big hit everywhere Tom. At least we aren't callous to the obvious plights of people in other countries.

[rvince 0]

I doubt it. It will keep being this slow and get slower. USCIS didn't hire any people recently. But I got a whiff that CSC is sending some cases to VSC to load balance.

Well I will continue to pray on it just the same But VSC is even slower than CSC right? I want to believe that action is coming.

[TomD 4]

I am of the opinion that you cannot make much of a difference in your local community if you live in Western world. Here, most people already are literate. So teaching them a few new mathematical theorem does nothing to them. And to a person who earns $1400 a month, making $200 more doesn't change a whole lot.

However, if you were to take you butt to a poor country and teach a child how to read, write and give him a proper mean to earn just $1 a day, you can make visible and tangible changes to his life. I've noticed this first hand. And the instant gratification you get when a child tells you a story in English, who would otherwise be rolling in street filth, is more than I can ever describe. If anyone of you have the luxury to take off a few months and want to make a change, go to Asia, Latin America, or Africa. Do something good. Otherwise adopt a orphan through various websites. Join up KIVA.com, give small loans to poor people who can turn your $500 dollars into a booming family business.

Right on Indigo, I agree with you 100% with regards to empowering someone with knowledge, skills or what ever it takes to Make a living. The dollar a day thing doesn't mean as much to me because it depends on what a dollar will buy you. I think we have all seen that giving Food and Money to any situation is only a short term fix. The real beneficial efforts in my view are a result of teaching usable skills. Something useful to them that they can earn a living with. I think the movie Play it Forward had a interesting theme. I spoke to my wife and told her I would like us to try and find some worthy children who just dont have an resources and offer to pay for their education. Once they reached a certain age we would then ask them to enter a contract which required them to find others who also needed assistance like they did and follow suit. This is not a fast fix by any means but more meaning full and longer lasting one in my view. I also think you can make a difference anywhere. A wasted life is just as wasted in a poor country as in a rich one.

[IndigoSkies 168]

Well I will continue to pray on it just the same But VSC is even slower than CSC right? I want to believe that action is coming.

VSC is much slower than CSC. 100 days average on CSC compared to 200 days on VSC. Lol. I hope your prayers are answered.

[boldee 0]

Hi Boldee...your NOA1 is your notice date which is March 10th. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks so much Ladydare,Rvince and Teyavalentina.I kinda feel so relieved that petitions with march 10 NOA1 dates are being processed today.

Ladydare,I see u r from Nigeria.Which part are u from?

[March2010 2]

with march 10 NOA1 dates are being processed today

Who is the one with March 10 NOA1?

[boldee 0]

Hi Boldee...your NOA1 is your notice date which is March 10th. Please correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks so much Ladydare,Rvince and Teyavalentina.I kinda feel so relieved that petitions with march 10 NOA1 dates are being processed today.

Ladydare,I see u r from Nigeria.Which part are u from?

[BigSigh 12]

If you look at the last 15 approved carefully, the March 10th refers to when they received their NOA2, not the NOA1 date. .

[JinyAndJony 0]

If you look at the last 15 approved carefully, the March 10th refers to when they received their NOA2, not the NOA1 date. .

Our NOA1 is March 10th.. case status still show last updated 17th March