On hearing or reading the word ‘survival’ many people interested in bushcraft and survival skills perhaps think first of wilderness emergencies.
But these aren’t the only survival situations people face.
Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods as well as famine and war throw people into desperate situations. The victims of these situations face a fight for survival not only during the calamity but also during the aftermath.
Then there are people in poverty who struggle for survival every single day.
Global Hand
Global Hand UK is a charity based not far from Frontier Bushcraft’s main course venue in East Sussex. It is an organisation with which Frontier Bushcraft has forged a close and collaborative relationship over the last 18 months.
Global Hand UK is part of the larger Global Hand non-profit organisation, the aim of which is to match need with resources. They are somewhat like a charitable eBay, a non-profit brokerage facilitating public/private partnership.
In turn, Global Hand is part of the Hong Kong-based Crossroads Foundation.
Global Hand and the Crossroads Foundation seek to engage businesses and organisations, ultimately in partnerships of varying degrees to help supply resources where there is need.
One method of engagement is to take individuals and have them “walk in another man’s shoes”, giving them an insight into the plight of less fortunate people around the world.
In seeking this type of engagement, The Crossroads Foundation have become heavy hitters in immersive simulations.
They have taken their Refugee Run to the World Economic Forum in Davos, where highly influential people have been subjected to how it feels to be a refugee.
Their aim is to create education, empathy and empowerment. They have certainly had a profound effect on previous participants:
“A profound experience that reminds us of the plight of millions.” – Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations
“Everyone should do this.” – Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia
“Beautifully done.” – Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Management Ltd
“Remarkable experience.” – Jeffrey Sachs, Author, ‘The End of Poverty’
“Moving and incredible. I will remember it forever.” – Raju Narisetti, Managing Editor, Washington Post
“As close to real as I could imagine.” – Dan Brutto, President, UPS International
“I will remember [it] for the rest of my life.” – Sir John Gieve, Harvard University
“Many thanks … for opening my eyes!” – Paul Ellingstad, Hewlett Packard
“Humbling, inspiring… and motivating. A truly remarkable experience!” – Jane Nelson, Director, CSR Initiative, Harvard University
“I’m most moved by the incredible dedication of this group of people… Amazing work.” – Hans Hickler, CEO, Agility, Asia Pacific
“It was truly moving and educational.” – Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer, Facebook
“There is no substitute for experience! This has given me a taste of what so many fellow humans have to live through.” – Anthony Tyler, Director General and CEO, IATA
“Thank you for making us feel … what they are going through.” – Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman of the Board, Nestle
Struggle For Survival
In a similar fashion, the 2 hour Struggle for Survival simulation puts you in the position of a slum dweller. I attended one of these simulations last Summer and it was an experience that was disturbing yet provided insight. We had to try to make our living by making paper bags and selling them to unpleasant market vendors. We had to pay rent to obnoxious landlords, pay for medicines and for education (to try to get your kids out of the poverty cycle). It’s geared to make it extremely hard (as it is for people who live like this) to make any headway and you have absolutely no control over your destiny.
Crossroads Foundation/Global Hand’s main simulation team will be running Struggle for Survival simulations in London 22-24 August.
Having been invited, I and some of the Frontier Bushcraft team will be attending at 12:30 on Friday 24 August. It would be great if you could join us.
I have been informed that there is now a general invitation for people to attend. It would be wonderful for some of the readers of this blog to come along and join in our simulation too!
If you would like to attend any of the sessions over the 3-days, it is FREE and all you have to do is contact the organisers and let them know you are coming. Details are as below.
Join a Struggle for Survival Simulation
Dates: 22-24th August, 2012
Central London Venue: 123 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1QH
Sessions: 09.30, 12.30 or 18.00 for approximately 2 hours each.
To book your free place:
reply to rsvp@globalhand.org
phone: +44(0)1892 614874 or +44(0)7792 419903
Please note: Admission is free, but all participants must make a booking with Global Hand.
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Here’s a blog from another participant who attended the Struggle for Survival ‘paper bag’ simulation mentioned above…
https://www2.rics.org/AspNetForums/blogs/rics_sustainability_blog/archive/2012/08/23/struggling-for-survival-from-simulation-to-real-life.aspx