On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 15:34, Ting Chen <wing.philopp(a)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!