When I spend time with friends in the US, they often take great delight in the words I use or the way I pronounce things. Apparently, there is much to amuse in the Australian-English language. In New York back in January, when speaking with friends about our voting practices, I explained the concept of the ‘sausage sizzle’. Our friends were looking at each other clearly wondering if we were serious, or completely making things up (i.e. fair dinkum or having a lend of them). It is my aim to have as many of my DOC friends as possible using ‘frocked up’ whenever they speak about dressing a little fancily!

And, somewhat oddly, it is in America that I am (apparently) most difficult to understand. I know I speak very, very fast and the frequent waving of hands can be distracting. I’ve learnt to adapt with some things (spelling my name when ordering coffee, I say ‘zee’ instead of ‘zed’) and try to adapt to the local lexicon (trash instead of rubbish / gas instead of petrol / Waldo instead of Wally* etc.) and try to slow down the speed with which I speak.

It’s February which means one thing and one thing only. It’s a month of red roses. That’s right, it’s time again for Spare a Rose, Save a Child.

I could tell you all about it again, but let me leave it to Manny and Graham who, once they get over the language barrier, do a great job of explaining the whole idea behind Spare a Rose…

I make a monthly donation to Life for a Child via this campaign. Each month AUD$6 comes out of my account and directly deposited into theirs. Six bucks. Basically, that’s a coffee and a half. So, the equation is this:


That’s right: for what it costs me to purchase 1.5 coffees, a child in a developing country survives for another month.

Every February, I urge people to consider donating to Spare a Rose Save a Child – either as a one off on Valentine’s day, or to set up making a monthly donation. And this year, with all that is going on in a very messed-up world, here is one small way to feel that you are helping out someone who really, truly needs it.

‘Inshulin’ or ‘inssulin’. It doesn’t matter how you say it. Just help a kid in need get some!

Click here for information about this year’s Spare a Rose Save a Child campaign, including how to donate.

spare a rose

 

*IT’S FREAKING WALLY, NOT WALDO!