Laptops needed for American Soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq

Perhaps you could write to Microsoft, Apple, Dell, Hewlett Packard, Toshiba and other manufacturers and distributors of computers and see if they would be willing to donate some laptops in exchange for the publicity. Also internet providers and Skype itself could supply computers. Right now as Christmas approaches they could be doing a fabulous advertising campaign - ALMOST home for the holidays. Perhaps they could even offer a rebate program. For instance for every computer purchased by the public they could donate $50,$100 or $200 towards a free computer for a serving military person.

24000 people are dying every day of hunger. The World Food Organisation asks us all to donate 50 cents a day in order to solve this. Couldn't we do this next to sending stuff to our soldiers? Or instead of?

Of course we can do this as well as or instead of. Anyone can chose to do one, both or nothing. We all have our preferences and we all have our limits. Doing only one thing - whatever is important to you and what you think can have the most impact - is perfectly all right. Choosing one thing over another does not mean you do not care about the other. All my life I have worked for animals and all my life I have been told that because I care for animals I don't care enough for people. Absolute garbage!

Personally I have begun to devote most of my efforts and resources to those closest to me. My neighbourhood, my city, my country. I can help some but not all and after 35 years of experience I would rather be a hands on giver than one who puts her faith in others doing the work for her. We are not progressing at solving the world's problems because we are not tackling the root.

The World Food Organization is absolutely correct. If we each donate 50 cents we could wipe out starvation and another 50 cents could wipe out disease. Another 50 cents and we could provide enough birth control to stop the mindless and irresponsible overpopulation that gives birth to the 10,000 children who die every day - never ever having had even the remotest chance of thriving. In fact in 2002 all the major countries of the world agreed to donate 0.7% of their national income to the UN in order to wipe out world poverty. This was a goal actually set in the 1970s. So far many countries have done their duty but many others including the USA and Canada have completely failed to meet their commitment. The simple fact is that the world and its leaders does not care enough.

There is also the disturbing fact that a huge percent of the aid we send never reaches the people it is intended to reach. Food shipments are hijacked by the governments in control and used to feed the armies that keep them in control - not their starving citizens. And of course the men have a lot to answer for. At the refugee camps in Africa the ones starving to death are mostly women and children and the elderly. The men always seem to get just enough food to keep going. Medications are stolen to be sold on the black market and replaced by fakes. Money intended to provide clean water and education goes to buy guns. I have reached a point in my life where I am still willing to help anyone but only if they are willing to help themselves.

I know that the price of a computer would feed a lot of people but I
also know that there is a soldier who is separated from his family who
needs his soul fed. Today I chose the soldier.

And today I choose to feed a couple of hundred innocent people, who's only 'fault' was to be born in a Third World Country.
And I don't mind that not every penny will arrive there. Every penny that does arrive there is so important. Life saving.

And today I choose to donate groceries to the food bank in my city. Yesterday I gave time to help run a Bingo to raise money for the women's shelter. To help those innocents in my little corner of the world who through no fault of their own are hungry and abused.

I honestly think it is wonderful if anyone does anything. My concern is that people should be aware of what they are doing and just exactly what they are accomplishing. I personally DO mind if not every penny arrives where it is supposed to go because I know where the stragglers are going. If my money is going to purchase the guns that are used in a genocide or to subdue a population then I am helping to pull the trigger. If I am feeding the armies of the oppressors then blood is on my hands. I want to know that I am doing the right thing and doing good - not just presuming and then finding out that I have actually contributed to doing evil and making things worse. Not all is as it is supposed to be and it is my responsibility to be informed. I am feeding people in Africa and I know exactly where every penny is going. Our minister runs a school in Swaziland and our donations help to feed and educate the students. He is slightly anally retentive so the financial reports are very detailed. I knew about the fermented mealie meal but did not know that we bought goats last year to provide milk - until I saw the photos.