• Material Poverty
  that breeds hunger, starvation, illnesses
• Spiritual Poverty
  that breeds dejection, desperation, selfishness, greed, insecurities
• Violence and terrorism
• Racial discrimination and biases
• Religious bigotry
• Wanton destruction of the environment

Grim, bleak,
desolate,
brutish, violent,
oppressive.

Yes, these are the realities of the world we live in. It’s what we see around us, hear over the airwaves in our news broadcasts, read about in our daily periodicals. (Unless, of course, we are under oppressive regimes that chose to filter information that will reach us, and who decides for us what’s real and what’s unreal).

...though, this is but just half the picture of the world we truly
live in. We are able to see the rest of the picture depending on the

conviction of our spirit,
the state of our mind
& the condition of our heart

• Those who believe in the latent goodness and capability of man to rule and govern this earth with benevolence.

• Those who still have faith that man has the capability to rise above the rubble of greed and selfishness and violent
  intentions, and has the innate sense of respect and faith in man’s capacity to show care and compassion to others

• Those who are convinced that man is capable of doing something that is good and noble and, who do not merely believe, but also put their beliefs into action

• Those who are not defeated by what they see in the natural or physical because they possess the ability to see and move beyond limitations and impossibilities

• Those who believe in a Higher, Supreme Being who is the Author of all creation

• And, who holds the truth in their hearts that

  • That the Creator of the universe created a beautiful world out of the void because He is innately beautiful and loving and compassionate and just.

  • That this Supreme Being could not have created a world that is flawed and bleak and grim and desolate because that would be counter to who He is.

  • That the state of the world today is not part of the Creator’s original design but is the result of man losing touch with his role and his place in the grand design of creation.

These people will see a world that is far from being hopeless and where life is devoid of meaning. They will see a world where a weary soul can find stability, security and peace and joy!

Because each new day that unfolds brings the Hope that Love and compassion will be tangibly real and there is Faith that endures in the midst of turmoil and unrest.

These are the people who know that they are not alone. These are the people who are willing to join hands with others to share their burdens and struggles and help fulfill each other’s dreams and aspirations.

These are the people who have discovered the "Power of Two"

We, too, recognize the "Power of Two" when one man or group or institution extends a helping hand and lends his or its resources, abilities, strength to another so that the recipient can rise above circumstances that hinder him from moving forward in realizing his potential.

We know that we have been given a certain power to influence peoples’ perceptions and thinking ...

This magazine is our commitment to play our role as the "guide dog"* of our society here in Sarawak. In taking on the role of a "guide dog" of our civic society, we do not presume to be wiser than anyone. Instead, we base this role upon the premise that we all share the same sentiments, and similar aspirations for and about our society.

*Jan Schaffer of the Pew Centre for Civic Journalism described one of the functions of the media as "guide dogs". This means that "the media give people not only news and information but also help them do their jobs as responsible citizens and to take ownership of societal problems". Schaffer, Jan. "The Role of the Media in Building Community". http://usinfo.stategov/journals/itgic/ 0401/ijge/gj02.htm