Archive for December, 2004

So far the US Gov has committed to disaster relief slightly less than we’re spending on the Inaugural celebrations. Sick. Mark Cuban is right – the best thing our Government could do is cancel these celebrations and re-channel the money to disaster relief. Since coming to America about eight or so years ago (frankly I’ve lost track) I’ve been really impressed by the warmth, generosity and friendship shown to me by Americas. What I can’t figure out is why the Government so consistently misrepresents (through it’s actions) it’s people.

HUGE kudos to Apple whose entire home page has been converted to a disaster relief effort. This is a stunning sign of social commitment – and from a company that depends so much on that home page for sales.

If you can, please give. Here is a list of major organizations.

Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres – 888-392-0392

Sarvodaya Relief Fund for Tsunami Tragedy

World Vision – 888-56-CHILD

Americares

American Red Cross International Response Fund – 20013 800-HELP NOW

Care USA – 404-681-2552, 800-521-CARE

Direct Relief International – 805-964-4767

International Federation of Red Cross – 41-22-730-4222

International Medical Corps – 800-481-4462

Joint Distribution Committee JDC: South Asia Tsunami Relief – 212.885.0867

Relief International – 800-572-3332

Oxfam America Asia Earthquake Fund

Save the Children Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund – 06880 800-728-3843

US Fund for UNICEF – 800-FOR-KIDS

UNICEF South Asia Tsunami Relief Efforts

World Concern – 800-755-5022
Oxfam Asian Earthquake & Tsunami Fund

Save the Children Asia Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund

Having spent months on the beaches of Thailand and Malaysia I can’t even begin to fathom the tragedy unfolding. Most of the population got by on dollars a day and now, nothing. If you can, give something. Our donations went to Doctors Without Borders.

Kahlil Gibran said it best:-

And there are those who
have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life
and the bounty of life,
and their coffer is never empty.

There are those who
give with joy,
and that joy
is their reward.

And there are those who
give with pain,
and that pain
is their baptism.

And there are those who
give and know
not pain in their giving,
nor do they seek joy,
nor give
mindfulness of virtue;
they give as in yonder valley
the myrtle breathes
its fragrance into space,
through the hands
of such as these
God speaks,
and from behind their eyes
he smiles upon the Earth.

Your reading assignment for the day is…….