Many people think that a humanitarian job is sexy. They think that there is nothing sexier than taking a picture in the middle of the desert surrounded by starving and thirsty smiling children (isn’t this child abuse by the way? Taking advantage of the innocence for personal interest?). But this is far from the reality. In fact, a humanitarian job is an emotional job; it drains a lot from your energy, keeps you awake for nights thinking about people sleeping under the snow or under the bullets and trying to think and rethink about what you can do to help, splits you in the dilemma between the right thing and your emotions, between what should be done and what can be done with the limited resources.
Being a humanitarian is not a job. It is a part of a character. So to all those who enjoy taking a picture with the starving kids for the sake of looking sexy without giving a smile to those kids behind the camera, to those who keep nagging because people in need approach them and start complaining about their needs, if you don’t like people, don’t do this job. Save us from listening to your disrespectful comments towards the people who were amazed by an oven or a fridge. Remember that being wealthier is not equivalent to being smarter or better. If you can relate, stay away from people in need.
Dina Hajjar 