By the end of the half-hour episode, many had offered support and accommodation. My faith in humanity was strengthened. This world is full of good people.

Often, their goodness and charity is not revealed because they have not heard the stories; have not had the opportunity to say, "I can help." When people do respond, their generosity and goodness seem limitless.

Stories are shared in many ways. Conversation. Letter. E-mail. Blogs and websites. Local newspapers and community broadsheets. TV, with slots such as 'Good Sorts' and consumer watchdogs, such as 'Fair Go'. We are called to listen to these stories - attentively.

Sharing our stories is not easy. We have to put aside pride and admit that we are dependent, interdependent. We have to say, "I cannot do this alone." But as soon as we do, as soon as we have the courage to share our own story, we realise we are not alone. We open ourselves to receive grace - mediated through good people.

Sometimes the stories we hear demand urgent and immediate action.

Sometimes the story simply needs to be heard - the teller affirmed; given a witness to their life.

Sometimes the storyteller invites us to become an integral part of the story.

I can hear people saying, "Yeah. I hear you. But it's not my responsibility. I pay taxes. The government needs to step up to the plate." The government, both central and local, are our elected representatives. They do not always hear the stories. We are at ground level. We need to listen wholeheartedly, attentively, to the stories we are told. We must respond and become advocates for the dispossessed, the disenfranchised, the burdened.

Each of us must show government officials how we want them to act: we must model affirmative, compassionate action - with charity, with justice, with transparency and honesty.

Each of us must demonstrate by our everyday actions and reactions who we feel should be our priority: those who cannot speak for themselves; those who are hungry, homeless, helpless, disheartened.

Each of us must show how we want local and central government to spend our taxes by using our own monies to advantage the disadvantaged.

I can hear the cynics say, "If we keep doing it, Government won't, and the burden on charities and churches, families and individuals, will increase." They are probably right but it is not our problem. We are called, commanded, impelled by our baptism, to be the hands of God; to reveal the heart of God.

Each of us must do what is right.

We are called to be 'good people.'

• Liz Pearce, a mother of three adult children, loves story, writing, and dollmaking www.heartfeltdolls.weebly.com

Samoa complained after Campbell Live aired a story questioning how $59.4 million of 2009 tsunami relief money had been spent in Samoa. "This is not about being embarrassed or being vindictive," says Tuila'epa. "The only thing the government wants is to remove the false impression that money has been misused because of misreporting."The fact is John Campbell misreported."

He also disliked the way Campbell had interviewed him outside a restaurant. "Those are the mannerisms of palagi (white person) who do not understand the protocols and station of a national leader."
"His behaviour is that of a small child with no manners."

Long time editor of the Samoa Observer Savea Sano Malifa comments "Which is why his complaints have got to be decided by the Supreme Court of New Zealand. And let's not worry about money, Tuilaepa assuages. 'Money is not an issue (here.)' Not when it's used to clear 'the country's good name' after it's been 'dragged through the international mud.' Now let's see. How much did it cost the public in legal fees incurred in the BSA case? That would be good to know. It would show the government is indeed accountable to the public. After all, despite what Tuilaepa is advocating, money is still everything. Only those who hold the public's purse strings don't worry about money."

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• Samoaobserver.ws
• Image: One Samoana