‘Mananferela’and the real price of litter.

I guess not many people realize of their existence in this world. ‘Mananferela’ is actually a given name for Ivorian women; reside in Ivory Coast or The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, a country situated in West Africa. The country’s economy is largely depended on market-based and relies heavily on agriculture with small holder cash crop production being dominant.

What’s so special about them that needed to be written? Well, it’s their suffering through the hardship of life and their willpower to live on for the sake of their family. I read an article about them last week, describing how they (thousands of women) which should be sitting at home taking care of their kids end up collecting all the used plastic along Ivory Coast’s river (so not hygienic but its understandable for a 3^rd rate country); this plastic will be sold as recycle item which later on will be reproduced as plastic ‘made in Ivory Coast’ brand. Compare them to us. To all the young Malaysians today. To all the people in the so called rich and vastly developing country all around the world.

The entire dirty slimy plastic bag becomes their income, their pocket money for life. Lets say a healthy fully grown ‘mananferela’ can bring up to 5 big bundles of plastic (1 on top of their head, 2 hold by both left and right hands); how much do you think they will get from it? I don’t think the factory is willing to pay big amount for that. ‘It’s just plastic by the way’.

How much do we really care about the plastic that we got from the supermarket? How many people really use the nature-friendly bag to help saving up our dying earth? Most of the plastic bag will be thrown into the dustbin eventually with no regret or whatsoever. Maybe in this case, you can exclude Russians. We (normal average Russians people and student who studies in Russia with not so many incomes who will then need to shop in average super/mini market or even ‘rinak’) have to pay extra for plastic bag. Every single plastic bag counts. Different size and quality comes with different prizes.

The situation today is much better than what we can hope for (better than the first time I came here 4 and 1/2 years before). As far as I’m concern, Russia does have its charm. BUT.. You have to live here long enough for you to really feel it. It’s like finding a needle in a sack full of flour. The needle is there, you have to find it to use it, but if you’re not careful enough, you might spilling out the flour or end up pricking your fingers with the sharp needle. You need A LOT of courage, determination and patience to survive here. And truth been told, ‘most’ Malaysians (who we obviously know, live in so much luxury and comfort ness) will really not taking anything for granted anymore. How about the rest of us? The rest of Malaysians who still living in their own comfort zone? The rest of the people who take almost everything for granted?

The world is in our hand. The choices are ours. It’s up to us how to live each day purposefully and used everything wisely. We have to remember, if you’re half way up, you’re always half way down. It’s possible for us to be on their spot. On ‘the mananferela’s place. When the time ‘does’ come (God forbid), what will you do?

Secebis ayat renungan untuk semua:

1. [ar-ruum, 30:41]- telah tampak kerosakan di darat dan di laut disebabkan kerana perbuatan tangan manusia; Allah mengkehendaki agar mereka merasakan sebagian dari (akibat) perbuatan mereka, agar mereka kembali (ke jalan yang benar).

2. [al-ankabut; 29:64]- Dan kehidupan dunia ini hanya senda gurau dan permainan. Dan sesungguhnya negeri akhirat itulah kehidupan sebenarnya, sekiranya mereka mengetahui.