General Chat

I found the pictures on the news last night virtually unwatchable. Last year it was Sudan and before that the Congo. If there is a god, he plainly doesn,t care. Just when are WE going to do something massive to end all this: We apply sticking plasters via Oxfam and the like, but surely it is up to the UN to make a concerted effort. We spend countless billions of pounds on fripperies and salve our consciences with a pound here and pound there. most of which seems to fall into the wrong hands. I would like to see some kind of 'twinning' orgainsied by the UN e.g Britain could be paired up with say, South Malawi, providing that region with running water and the like.(which with the lack of rainfall would be expensive). Sorry to bring up such a serious subject on a week-end. Happy days (for some)

Hi Harry, Havent seen you for a while, I get so upset by seeing these images, It does break my heart, and we complain about our GOVERNMENT!! I really think the best way to help is sponsership, It wont work straight away but if every person sponsored a child the effects would be amazing,eventually!!

Benders!!You beat me to it!!! x

the charity I sponsor from Is called'world vision' they are a christian charity and do some wonderful projects. roxanne xx

Thanks for your replies. Well done girls. I have a standing order with Oxfam, but often wonder if it does all it should do, and indeed if I should do more than salve my own conscience. Happy days

hi Blossom, you dont choose, they do that for you, Ive been with them for 20 years(give or take a couple) and I think ive sponsered 3 children so far, whats so great is you get letters from them and photos, you get report cards from school,birthday and christmas cards are exchanged, but once that child is estabilished and on its way to better things they move you on to another, its so rewarding!!!

Hi Roxanne, I also sponsor a chold thru World Vision, shes a little girl in Zimbabwe, her family now have a proper chemical toilet and she starts school soon. I have lived in Central Africa and know the help is very much needed brenda

Hi Brenda, Its rewarding isent it? Makes you feel as if your part of the family. Roxanne xx

What splendid people you are. Must give great satisfaction. Congratulations. Happy days

Plan is another organisation through which you can sponsor a child. When I started, you could choose a continent and boy or girl, and they selected a suitable child. The boy I sponsor lives in Uganda and I've just had a recent photo of him - he's grown several inches and can now read and write quite well. His whole family and community benefit from the money, so I feel it's a worthwhile and direct way of helping.

This is only my opinion. To me the reason why the UN wont do anything is cos there is no oil there... now if there was oil there the UK and USA would be in like a shot. I always take my clothes to Oxfam and do support the aid that goes there. but as someone said until they get rid of a corrupt government there is nothing anyone can do, and pray to god that medical aid etc gets through to them. But if we were in that position, which country would help us? Yvonne

Wendy, My favorite word Education, educate them young and reap the rewards as a nation!! Rox xx

I take my hat off to all of you who sponsor children. We're unable to at the moment unfortunately, although we do give to charity. One of these days, I'd dearly love to do that, though. A friend who couldn't give birth to, or adopt, children has done this to 2 kids over in Africa, and her pride in 'her' children is immense, not to mention the satisfaction of doing something really worthwhile. x