On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 15:34, Ting Chen wing.philopp@gmx.de wrote:
the Wikimedia movement is like a big family. Even though we sometimes quarry with each other but especially in time like this we are all with you. In the last days I often think back of the hospitality from all of you to so many Wikimedians from all around the world back in Alexandria. Read your line about following TV ans Twitter also reminds me of June 1989 when I followed radio news hour after hour for every news through sleepless nights. Back then, very alone, without the community that gathered here.
I have similar feelings...
It is not the same when you are worried about people which you don't know personally; and people which you know. For the most of my life, the most of people which I know were living in Belgrade, but Wikimedia movement has changed my perspective.
For the first time I've realized that people which I know may be in problem after L'Aquila earthquake. Then, a number of other events followed: Iranian protests and present Egyptian protests, but also big smoke in Moscow and recent Brisbane floods. Even financial crisis in Ireland makes me to think about my Wikimedian friend there. And whenever I hear about severe weather conditions somewhere in US, I am thinking do I know anyone there. I mean, it is not the same to me to hear about protests in Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt or Iran. I know Wikimedians from Egypt and Iran.
From one point, it is burdensome. I don't care just about my close
surroundings, but about thousands of people all over the world. But from the other, it makes happy to know that I have friends all over the world and that we care for each other.
But, I would like that we don't stop here. I would like to see Wikimedia movement (WMF, chapters, Wikimedians) to be able to give real help to Wikimedians -- but not just Wikimedians -- all over the world in such circumstances. It is not just about keeping information free. Wikimedia movement has enough resources now to give some real help: it could be about organizing donations of laptops with Wikipedia on itself with OLPC; it could be about food.
Mido, please, keep us informed!