One and a half years from yoday, the world was reeling from the destruction caused by the Asian tsunami. The world community was shocked and in awe by the destruction of mother nature. Media daily showed footage of the waves rushing ontothe shores, washing away property and lives...

I remember feeling sad when seeing those footages. And it was very touching to see the world commmunity responding to the plights of fellow human beings. Another form of flooding started - the flood of aid and human compassion.

And on a gathering with a group of friends, the emotion reached a peak for me. My friends were recounting their experiences of community services; how they did this and that before, for the good and betterment of others. I wasn't impressed, but silently listening and felt respect for what they have done.

One or two of them even went to talk about how they approached the UN to initiate projects. And before long, the topic was on how they felt the international agencies are lousy and ineffective and etc...

The next day, one of the friend sent out sms calling for volunteers to help out at a aid station that's sorting out aid materials to be sent over to the disaster zone. There's lot of material to be packed and sorted out; it's going to be manual and they need all the help they can get.

Since it was the school holidays I thought why not! It's time for action. I responded and turn up at the aid station. To my surprise, none of my friends that talked so much about action were there. None of their "other friends" who did this and that were there.

THe best I got to for company was a sms from one of the friends that he supported the cause and me psychological or some crap. But for the entire week I was there, none of them turned up. So much for all the ideas and critism. Where are the people when action is needed?!