dig deep in your wallet and deeper into your hearts

The tsunami has wrecked havoc among South East Asian countries. What were once exotic holidaying spots have now been reduced to shambles. I was looking into the number and amounts of contributions made by people and was deeply shocked to see that the people who cared were away in the United States or in The United Kingdom. India is a land of caring and compassion. I was really hurt to see that not many Indians from the sub-continent have ventured to help. I really do laude the ones who have helped in any way that they could – time, money, clothes, food; some even lodged some victims in their own homes. Hats off to you people. I do hope people can find it in them to dig deep into their pockets and deeper into their hearts to give to these people.
I am now in Chennai and have volunteered with other colleagues from the press fraternity to help in rescue and relief operations. What I see is something I wish I never did. The devastation is more than meets the eye. Families have lost the only bread winner and have none left. Local fishermen are actually fishing the sea for dead bodies. The stench is horrendous. There are bodies lying everywhere, waiting for someone to claim them. Most have been disposed as they are decomposing rapidly and pose as a health hazard. Losing colleagues and friends to this disaster has got me thinking. I cannot force you nor coax you to do anything you do not want to. All I can say is that life could be worse. Like I said, I do hope people can find it in them to dig deep into their pockets and deeper into their hearts to give to these people.