Are we doing enough for Somalia, Lollipop?

Seeing the impoverished faces of the Somali population has made Lollipop and I hate how corrupt the world has become. Yet I love how it has made my life’s problems seem so insignificant.

“Yeah, when you see that 92 have been killed in Norway and then you look at the pics of this horrible Somali famine nothing in your life compares to what they must be going through, sis.”

“I know its devastating Lollipop.”

“At least they’ve caught the guy who committed all those shootings, but not much seems to be happening in Somalia.”

“Well the BBC has reported that UK-based charity, SOS Children’s Villages, has managed to work in the south of the country, that is mainly under the control of radical Islamist insurgent group, al-Shabab.

The charity is raising awareness all over the world of the crisis and are building villages for orphaned or abandoned children. But, it’s these rebel groups that have stopped most of the aid and prevented other countries from helping out.”

“Yeah, I get that only a few charities are being allowed to offer aid. But clearly that’s not enough, sis.”

“That’s why so many have fled to Kenya, but they’re struggling with all the casualties.”

“So why don’t the UK step in?”

I shrug, unable to answer Lollipop’s question. Why won’t the UK step in, like they did almost too eagerly in Libya?

It’s probably because we’re already financially overstretched. Or it’s probably because rebel forces like al-Shabab are fiercely dominant and in control. Or it’s probably because this is a totally different situation  to Libya and I never should have made such comparisons.

Whichever problem it is, it’s still hard to realise that we’re not doing everything we can. Earlier this month, British Foreign Secretary, William Hague met with the president of Somalia and tweeted: “A glimpse of what Somalia could be – stability in the region is possible.”

But is it possible, if the UK and the US aren’t willing to do everything they can because of rebel groups?

The charities can only do so much in this crisis and our money will definitely help, however poverty and famine may return if we don’t deal with the political state of Somalia. It’s all well and good preaching that something must be done! But how? How can the rebel groups be contained? That’s what the rest of world’s leaders need to figure out instead of just watching it on the news like we are doing. While they’re figuring it out innocent children will die but at least something will be done. Like my Lollipop said, one charity in one area isn’t enough. “right Lollipop?”

“Yeah, yeah sure, whatever sis, look, Amazon is selling Justin Bieber Never Say Never for just nine pounds.”

“I’m quite surprised you didn’t pre-order it, how come you’ve not raced to the stores to buy it?”

“I would if I had the money. I’m so broke this summer.”

“Oh dear, I feel so bad for you.”

“Well why don’t you buy it for me then?”

“I don’t feel that bad, Lollipop.”

What’s next for graduates Lollipop?

Unlike the world’s media, Lollipop and I aren’t totally obsessed with the phone hacking scandal and Rupert Murdoch. In fact my Lollipop is totally uninterested.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know what the big deal is. It’s not like he killed someone, sis.”

“I know sis, but his paper, the News of the World messed up big time by approving payments to private detectives and tampering with police investigations.”

“But he’s 80 odd years old. He’s far too ancient to be dealing with all of this.”

“Can’t believe you actually feel sorry for this media tycoon, Lollipop,”

“I don’t, I’m just saying, that’s all.”

“Whatever, I’m done with obsessing over this story. Another topic on the Guardian website caught my eye and made me realise something Lollipop. It’s been a year. A year since I graduated from university! Can you believe it sis?”

“Wow, it only feels like a few days ago when I laughing at you in your hat and gown. Not a year.”

“I know. It was only the Guardians’, Graduate Special entitled: Graduate Jobs, advice from the experts that made reminded me,” I explained to my Lollipop who as usual is more interested in Justin Bieber’s Twitter then what I have to say.

As I turn my attention to the article, I recognise that they’re answering many of the questions I was asking when I graduated. So even though they’re just a renowned posh broadsheet the Guardian has actually managed to tap into my mine and other graduates’ minds across the country. Questions like should I do an unpaid internship and how do I write a speculative letter were definitely things I had to consider and sort out.

As a youngish budding journalist of course I had to do a few unpaid stints to get some kind of experience. Sometimes I resented it. Sometimes I enjoyed it. But it worked and I wasn’t unemployed for too long. So when my Lollipop comes to ponder these questions, if the economy is still in the state it is now I’d definitely tell her to go for it.

Optimistically write the first couple of speculative letters. Then watch them turn into desperate pleads and begs for work when the dole money isn’t doing much to support your party lifestyle.

Take on all types of unpaid internships even though this is clearly not what you wanted to with your degree. Because in the end Lollipop you will get somewhere, I’ll say to her in a couple of years time. Today, though my Lollipop does not have to worry about any of these things. Instead she’s just happy that got elected as head girl and gets to finally make a difference.

She’s not thinking about how to clean up her online image or how to get over the post university blues and settle into your new job. She thinking about the 6 weeks holiday, her new role as head girl and Justin Bieber of course. Of if only things were that simple for myself and other graduates out there. If only I didn’t have to ask myself if journalism is still what I truly want to do despite half of the world’s media being turned upside down by the phone hacking scandal. Do I really want to work with people who could be capable of committing such crimes? Or do I just ignore the headlines, pursue my dreams and continue writing my blog?

“Write the blog! You never know Justin Bieber might stumble across it and realise what an amazing I am to you and that you’re actually an okish writer.”

“Cheers Lollipop, you’re so supportive.”

“Anytime sis. Did you read in the Metro that Justin Bieber might be performing a private gig for the Beckhams to celebrate the birth of their baby girl Harper? Imagine if I could somehow get an invite.”

“Yeah, imagine how crazy that would be Lollipop.”

Can you pay the Royal family’s bills, Lollipop?

It’s been over two months since the great British Royal wedding and yet my sister, Lollipop is still interested in anything and everything that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are up to. “They’re still on their tour around Canada sis. Apparently they have retreated to the quieter-paced Prince Edward Island, on Canada‘s Atlantic coast. You know, after all the frenzy of their arrival on Thursday.”

“Yeah, I heard thousands of people gathered to cheer the royal couple in Canada. However there were a few protestors Lollipop…”

A few streets away in Quebec, Canada around 300 protestors had a different message for the royals. Grasping banners and flags that read taunts like, “ Parasites go home.”

“Kate go UK yourself.”

“Pay for your trip.”

Although it was only a minority that strongly believed the monarchy should be abolished in Quebec and the fight for independence, their banners does raise interesting points. Like just how much does transporting the royals really cost the British taxpayer?

According to today’s I newspaper the Queen reduced her costs to the British taxpayer by £1.8m last year despite a £2.1m rise in royal travel, which is mainly due to the costs of leasing the Royal helicopter.

The most expensive trip was the state visit last November to the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh which costs £356,253.

“Imagine if we could go on holidays that cost that much sis? I would be booking my first-class flights to New York as we speak.”

“Actually, you’d be travelling in the royal helicopter, remember Lollipop”

“Oh yeah, how exciting! I bet Justin Bieber hasn’t got his own private royal helicopter.”

“You never know sis. He is incredibly loaded.”

“Not as loaded as the queen.”

“Actually sis, keeper of the privy purse, Sir Alan Reed explained that the Queen’s official expenditure had decreased by 5.3 % to £32.1m last year and the royal family are continuing to reduce costs.”

“Well, at least she’s cutting down like the rest of us. But she’s still sitting on a lot of cash, so I don’t feel sorry for her,” replied my Lollipop who as usual has an interesting point.

It’s good that the Royals are cutting down but Prince William and Catherine’s tour is costing Canadian Heritage $1.5-million. This doesn’t include the costs of security, National Defence and some travel. The total price tag will be much more.

Although the trip will mean great exposure for Edward Island and officials in Calgary have reported increased hotel bookings in Ottawa, how long can the British taxpayer and the rest of the world really afford to cater for the Royals’ ‘business holidays?’

“Have you seen Justin Bieber’s new Google Chrome advert? It features some of his fans, supporting him on tour and how he got started online. I’m not on it, even though I went to New York to see him in concert. How annoying is that sis?”

“Almost as annoying as you talking about him 24/7, Lollipop.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xN68sT2Xt1M    ( click on the link to watch the advert)