The So-U.TV team went to the beach over the weekend to bring you the latest action from Hong Kong’s top open water event: the Shek O Challenge. Swimmers of all ages and athletic abilities jumped into the sea to swim the intense 2.2km from Big Wave Bay to Rocky Bay Beach (Shek O Back Beach). The race ended with a wild beach party celebrating sport and the environment. Half of the registration fees were donated to the WWF for their Ocean Conservation Program. Want to know more? Watch SO-U.TV!

這週未SO-U.TV帶大家到石澳看一場精彩有趣又有意義的比賽, 石澳公開水域游泳挑戰賽全程2.2公里是考驗運動員耐力與速度的賽事, 比賽半數的報名費用將會捐給世界自然基金會WWF用作保護本港海洋生態的用途, 從比賽到賽後的狂歡會,想知道更多的情況請收看SO-U.TV!

VICTORIA VIVES
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Be my friend in Myspace :)
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I do hope you find the information useful and that it aids you in accessing Lottery Funding.  I understand that many people open up the application forms and instanly give up. 

Lottery funding can be straight forward if you follow the requirements carefully and logically.  Either way, I'm here to help ease the journey and fulfil my mission, which is to aide success to as many Organisations as possible.

So, one of the first requirements of the Lottery Board is that the organisation has its own bank account and that there are at least two signatories for every cheque.  This takes a little bit of sorting out if you haven't done it already. 

As I am now requesting you to open a bank account for your group or organisation, I decided to find out how easy it is to open a bank account.  The following video brings you that report.

Top Tips

Top Tip Number One: Go to the bank during the week NOT the weekend.  Most likely no-one will be there to either give you information to take away or answer your questions.

Top Tip Number Two: When you go to physically open the account, remember the important documents.  Passports, Utility Bills and Drivers Licences as well as at least two signatory forms completed. You will also need to have the people with you who belong to these documents.  Banking security systems are now very secure - gone are the times where the documents alone are considered good enough proof.

Top Tip Number Three:  Also remember to take along the form that you need the bank to sign for the Lottery application.  It's at the end of the application and it's called Bank or Building Society Account Details form.  If you need to continue onto a separate sheet make sure you also get that stamped by the bank.  Make sure ALL the signatories have signed it and if you have to continue onto a separate piece of paper that the bank stamps and signs that too.

The success of any kind of application is down to crossing every T and dotting every I.  Miss something out and it could take another four weeks to process your application or at worse means it gets rejected. 

To your success!

See you soon

Sarah J Hewitt

www.fundraisersacademy.com

post script:  two weeks on and HSBC have just sent me the Application Pack.  Still nothing from Lloyds or Barclays!

I received a request for volunteers to teach how to properly treat HIV and AIDS in a developing country.

MY CAMBODIA EXPERIENCES AUTUMN OF 2004

As a member of the Southeastern Board for the American Academy of HIV Medicine, I received a request for volunteers to teach local physicians how to properly treat HIV and AIDS in a developing country. Deep in my heart I immediately knew this was a call from God for me to GO. This would be a three month commitment. I was very fortunate to find a physician to keep my clinic open during my absence.

I was assigned to two hospitals in the northern province of Bantay Meanchey. The provincial hospital was in Monkol Borei approximately twelve mile from Sisaphon (Sis'-a-pon) where I nestled into my hotel, the Phnom Svay. The hospital in Sisaphon is partially funded by the CDC. I made clinical rounds every morning with the local physicians on their patients teaching them how to perform physical examinations and how best to care for their patients. I found the doctors very reluctant to touch these patients. My primary goal in these morning rounds was to show them how to be compassionate caregivers by hands-on example. Every afternoon was devoted to a two-hour lecture for the entire length of my stay. I found these physicians had a healthy thirst for knowledge. They literally knew nothing about the pathophysiology and the treatment of the HIV virus. They had extensive experience with the common opportunistic infections that accompany the end stage of this dread disease.

predator of these children affecting them at any age. By the age of seven or eight years, these orphans' CD4 counts are under 250.

One day, while wondering through the HIV ward after morning rounds at the Bantay Meancheay

Provincial Hospital in Monkol Borei, I found a small child who appeared lost, confused and crying. Little Em Tear, or "Tear" as we came to call him, had accompanied his dying father to the hospital to care for him. Tear had already lost his mother to HIV and had no other family members. He was seven years old...but only looked like he was four... when I found him sick, feverish, coughing and covered with purulent sores on all his extremities. His father had died in the hospital and the workers had carried him away leaving Tear sick and confused. I admitted him to the ward and treated his pneumonia and draining sores.

He responded to therapy rapidly but an HIV test proved he was infected as we had expected. Since he had nowhere to go, I decided to keep him in the hospital for the duration of my stay. Daily I brought him cookies or candy as a way of letting him know he was special to me. He began to call me "his papa". We became quite attached to each other then went about to find an orphanage that would take in an HIV-infected child. I only found two in the entire country that would take HIV infected children. One, a Pentecostal home, was full and the other was a catholic orphanage operated by the Marynoll catholics in the capitol, Phnom Penh six hours away.

 

John Tucker and his wife Kathy (both lay missionaries) had come to Cambodia and founded this orphanage called "Little Sprouts". They already had 314 "Little Sprouts", all infected with the HIV virus, in seven houses. Most of these children were on anti-retroviral therapy and appeared healthy and happy. I knew this is where I would find a good home for Tear. We traded in his only set of worn-out clothes with new ones we purchased at the market and filled a small roller suitcase that he could handle. Five days before I was scheduled to leave Cambodia for America, we set out for the long drive to Phnom Penh. The entire hospital staff and doctors turned out to send us off. We arrived in the capitol at dusk and went to house #7 where Tear would be staying. He appeared happy as he was introduced to his new family including house parents and sixteen other orphans, all eager to show us around.I found myself engrossed in the medication line as the children were receiving their HIV meds. Suddenly I realized that Tear was not around. I found him in the playground sitting on one end of a seesaw with his head buried in his arms. I tried to tell him it was time for me to leave but he would not raise his head nor utter a word. So as I backed out of the walkway and climbed in my car all the while saying 'bye Tear'. Still he would not budge. As the car began to move away I could see through the slats that he continued to keep his head buried. I could not stand this anymore so I stopped the car, went back in and gathered him into my arms, sat in a swing and we both cried for a long time. Finally, I took him in to the house mother and she folded him into her chest and I left the house.

Richard Kauffman, M.D.

*You can read more about Dr. Kauffman's trip to Cambodia in the Marietta Daily Journal and the Georgia Physician Magazine.

Volunteers with the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter received a call at 11:54 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, that the fire had burned a home on Park Drive in Winter Haven. When volunteers with the Disaster Action Team responded, they provided the family with temporary shelter and odor-control concentrated cleaner to help salvage items from the home.

Local Red Cross volunteers have averaged about one fire call each day for the new service year, which began on July 1, continuing a trend from the previous 12 months. After making a year-end tally, the American Red Cross Polk County Chapter found it had assisted 209 Polk County families affected by local disasters from July 2007 to June 2008. Almost all were affected by home fires, either individual houses or apartment buildings. Whenever called, day or night, considerate and compassionate volunteers respond to help those in need.

Home fires are the most common disaster that Red Cross volunteers witness. Volunteers urge families to follow fire prevention tips and to make and practice fire escape plans to ensure all family members escape a fire safely. Information on preventing fire and planning for home fires is available at http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_242_,00.html.

“When you spoke about the launching and charity, I think if you want to involve in charity, you should…”
“I am involved in … and we do many things to help people around us by…”
A member sharing with me after my class

“Are you coming to Miracle? For charity!
An instructor telling me after his class

To the member…I answered
“I can see your heart for the society and the community. You provide for the needy. It is very kind of you. However, not all were like you. Some don’t know where they can contribute and what to contribute. They do need events as this which lead them to contribute in the right area, meanwhile…also interest them. So, do join the event and be part of the miracle.”

To the instructor…I answered
“I don’t need a “Miracle” to do charity. Charity is in our daily life…to be a blessing to others..."

I love “Miracle” and find the event absolutely well planed, especially the charity part which encourage more people to give and help the needy. However, what I hope is the attitude of giving can continue even without “Miracle”, being a little more selfless.

Peoples are in need all year long, but we only have “Miracle” maybe once a year.

Notice when disaster came…it only captured the attention of the world for 2 weeks to a month! Then, the pages started to fill with more juicy stories. People just get back to their life just as the way it used to be.

However, some brokenness can’t be healed within such short time frame. They are left behind. 1 month is simply too short. Bandar Aceh hit by Tsunami years ago will need 10 years to recover…who is by their side now?

“I am because we are”

This is the tagline for Raising Malawi by Madonna. Indeed, we are all human with basic needs. I am who I am today because the whole society contributed, proving us the opportunity to became who we are today. We all have equal right to live, having the same 24 hours a day. If you willing, spend some of the hours to help those in need, because you are blessed to bless others.

Don’t wait for a miracle to be a blessing.

I found out about this website randomly, but I think it is a nice tool. I have been looking at the ratings of some popular charities, and I was surprised to see some of them were remarkably inefficient. It was also nice to find out about lesser known charities. For instance, the Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis has a good rating and a the website is very comprehensive. For those who don't know, my mother has MS and has been dealing with it seriously since my younger brother was born, so my donation to this organization would go toward something very near to my heart.

Another organization that I like is Freedom from Religion Foundation. Separation of church and state makes me very, very happy. I like this organization's stance on free thinking. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate religious organizations (who was that Chinese dictator who made that poignant statement about religion and opium...), but I don't like how they think they ought to run the world with their particular interpretation of a REALLY old book. Personal freedoms are nice. I would prefer to keep mine, and this organization is working to make sure I can. Plus, they love the First Amendment as much as I do. How could I not love them? P.S. The website is nowhere near as cynical as I thought it would be. How disappointing.

I don't know if I will donate a portion of my earnings or not, but if I do, it will more than likely be to one of these organizations.

So I figure since I am thinking of donating to organizations I believe in, I should get my daughter to start thinking of the same type of thing. I saw this piggy bank randomly on the net while looking for ideas on teaching money issues to my child. In case it weren't painfully obvious, I have a weakness for all things cute. I am seriously contemplating buying this for the baby. Waste of money? Probably. The same can be achieved with four jars and a creative way of doling out allowance (when she gets it... I believe I will start her one on her birthday this year, but shhhhhhhhhh she doesn't know what she's getting yet). But this way is so much more fun. She gets a visual of her money as it goes into her account, and she can remember to dog ear some of her money to donate to an organization.

What I don't know is how I am going to get her to choose an organization for donations. She would probably rather spend the donation money on a Dora something or the other (hell, I would at five). I think she understands the general concept of helping others (she offers to carry bags for overburdened people on the bus, and lemme tell you, it is hilarious the looks she gets from these people), but I am not certain she will get any gratification from donating money to an organization with no tangible reward. I don't know, I suppose the only thing I can do is try it out. I will keep you all posted.

So-U.TV brings you another episode of New Leash on Life. This time the team spoke to Sally Enderson from the Hong Kong Dog Rescue about Bread and Egg, two adorable sharpei pups that were so tiny that nobody didn't expected them to survive. Watch the whole series at www.SO-U.TV

Is there any doubt that the Church is on the side of conservatism?

--

"To cure this evil, the Socialists, exciting the envy of the poor toward the rich, contend that it is necessary to do away with private possession of goods and in its place to make the goods of individuals common to all, and that the men who preside over a municipality or who direct the entire State should act as administrators of these goods. They hold that, by such a transfer of private goods from private individuals to the community, they can cure the present evil through dividing wealth and benefits equally among the citizens. But their program is so unsuited for terminating the conflict that it actually injures the workers themselves. Moreover, it is highly unjust, because it violates the rights of lawful owners, perverts the function of the State, and throws governments into utter confusion."

"Therefore, inasmuch as the Socialists seek to transfer the goods of private persons to the community at large, they make the lot of all wage earners worse, because in abolishing the freedom to dispose of wages they take away from them by this very act the hope and the opportunity of increasing their property and of securing advantages for themselves. But, what is of more vital concern, they propose a remedy openly in conflict with justice, inasmuch as nature confers on man the right to possess things privately as his own."

"And owing to the fact that this animal [the human being] alone has reason, it is necessary that man have goods not only to be used, which is common to all living things, but also to be possessed by stable and perpetual right; and this applies not merely to those goods which are consumed by use, but to those also which endure after being used."

"There is no reason to interpose provision by the State, for man is older than the State. Wherefore he had to possess by nature his own right to protect his life and body before any polity had been formed. The fact that God gave the whole human race the earth to use and enjoy cannot indeed in any manner serve as an objection against private possessions. For God is said to have given the earth to mankind in common, not because He intended indiscriminate ownership of it by all, but because He assigned no part to anyone in ownership, leaving the limits of private possessions to be fixed by the industry of men and the institutions of peoples."

"For this reason it also follows that private possessions are clearly in accord with nature. The earth indeed produces in great abundance the things to preserve and, especially, to perfect life, but of itself it could not produce them without human cultivation and care. Moreover, since man expends his mental energy and his bodily strength in procuring the goods of nature, by this very act he appropriates that part of physical nature to himself which he has cultivated. On it he leaves impressed, as it were, a kind of image of his person, so that it must be altogether just that he should possess that part as his very own and that no one in any way should be permitted to violate his right." Hmmm, sounds like John Locke's view of property and property rights....

"And, after all, would justice permit anyone to own and enjoy that upon which another has toiled? As effects follow the cause producing them, so it is just that the fruit of labor belongs precisely to those who have performed the labor. Rightly therefore, the human race as a whole, moved in no wise by the dissenting opinions of a few, and observing nature carefully, has found in the law of nature itself the basis of the distribution of goods, and, by the practice of all ages, has consecrated private possession as something best adapted to man's nature and to peaceful and tranquil living together. Now civil laws, which, when just, derive their power from the natural law itself, confirm and, even by the use of force, protect this right of which we speak. -- And this same right has been sanctioned by the authority of the divine law, which forbids us most strictly even to desire what belongs to another. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his house, nor his field, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is his...."

"Behold, therefore, the family, or rather the society of the household, a very small society indeed, but a true one, and older than any polity! For that reason it must have certain rights and duties of its own independent of the State. Thus, right of ownership, which we have shown to be bestowed on individual persons by nature, must be assigned to man in his capacity as head of a family. Nay rather, this right is all the stronger, since the human person in family life embraces much more...."

"Inasmuch as the Socialists, therefore, disregard care by parents and in its place introduce care by the State, they act against natural justice and dissolve the structure of the home. And apart from the injustice involved, it is only too evident what turmoil and disorder would obtain among all classes; and what a harsh and odious enslavement of citizens would result! The door would be open to mutual envy, detraction, and dissension. If incentives to ingenuity and skill in individual persons were to be abolished, the very fountains of wealth would necessarily dry up; and the equality conjured up by the Socialist imagination would, in reality, be nothing but uniform wretchedness and meanness for one and all, without distinction."

"From all these conversations, it is perceived that the fundamental principle of Socialism which would make all possessions public property is to be utterly rejected because it injures the very ones whom it seeks to help, contravenes the natural rights of individual persons, and throws the functions of the State and public peace into confusion. Let it be regarded, therefore, as established that in seeking help for the masses this principle before all is to be considered as basic, namely, that private ownership must be preserved inviolate...."

"Therefore, let it be laid down in the first place that a condition of human existence must be borne with, namely, that in civil society the lowest cannot be made equal to the highest. Socialists, of course, agitate the contrary, but all struggling against nature is vain. There are truly very great and very many natural differences among men. Neither the talents, nor the skill, nor the health, nor the capacities of all are the same, and unequal fortune follows of itself upon necessary inequality in respect to these endowments. And clearly this condition of things is adapted to benefit both individuals and the community; for to carry on its affairs community life requires varied aptitudes and diverse services, and to perform these diverse services men are impelled most by differences in individual property holdings. Therefore, to suffer and endure is human, and although men may strive in all possible ways, they will never be able by any power or art wholly to banish such tribulations from human life. If any claim they can do this, if they promise the poor in their misery a life free from all sorrow and vexation and filled with repose and perpetual pleasures, they actually impose upon these people and perpetuate a fraud which will ultimately lead to evils greater than the present...."

"Among these duties the following concern the poor and the workers: To perform entirely and conscientiously whatever work has been voluntarily and equitably agreed upon; not in any way to injure the property or to harm the person of employers; in protecting their own interests, to refrain from violence and never to engage in rioting; not to associate with vicious men who craftily hold out exaggerated hopes and make huge promises, a course usually ending in vain regrets and in the destruction of wealth...."

"Therefore, the well-to-do are admonished that wealth does not give surcease of sorrow, and that wealth is of no avail unto the happiness of eternal life but is rather a hindrance; that the threats pronounced by Jesus Christ, so unusual coming from Him, ought to cause the rich to fear; and that on one day the strictest account for the use of wealth must be rendered to God as Judge...." The rich must account to God, not the State for how they use their wealth. Of course, it is easily seen how liberal fascists have trouble distinguishing between the two.

"But when the demands of necessity and propriety have been met, it is a duty to give to the poor out of that which remains.... These are duties not of justice, except in cases of extreme need, but of Christian charity, which obviously cannot be enforced by legal action...."

"But it must not be supposed that the Church so concentrates her energies on caring for souls as to overlook things which pertain to mortal and earthly life. As regards the non-owning workers specifically, she desires and strives that they rise from their most wretched state and enjoy better conditions. And to achieve this result she makes no small contribution by the very fact that she calls men to and trains them in virtue. For when Christian morals are completely observed, they yield of themselves a certain measure of prosperity to material existence, because they win the favor of God, the source and fountain of all goods; because they restrain the twin plagues of life -- excessive desire for wealth and thirst for pleasure -- which too often make man wretched amidst the very abundance of riches; and because finally, Christian morals make men content with a moderate livelihood and make them supplement income by thrift, removing them far from the vices which swallow up both modest sums and huge fortunes, and dissipate splendid inheritances."

"But, in addition, the Church provides directly for the well-being of the non-owning workers by instituting and promoting activities which she knows to be suitable to relieve their distress. Nay, even in the field of works of mercy, she has always so excelled that she is highly praised by her very enemies. The force of mutual charity among the first Christians was such that the wealthier ones very often divested themselves of their riches to aid others; wherefore, 'Nor was there anyone among them in want.' [Acts 4:34] To the deacons, an order founded expressly for this purpose, the Apostles assigned the duty of dispensing alms daily; and the Apostle Paul, although burdened with the care of all the churches, did not hesitate to spend himself on toilsome journeys in order to bring alms personally to the poorer Christians. Moneys of this kind, contributed voluntarily by the Christians in every assembly, Tertullian calls 'piety's deposit fund,' because they were expended to 'support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of orphan boys and girls without means of support, of aged household servants, and of such, too, as had suffered shipwreck.'"

"Thence, gradually there came into existence that patrimony which the Church has guarded with religious care as the property of the poor. Nay, even disregarding the feeling of shame associated with begging, she provided aid for the wretched poor. For, as the common parent of rich and poor, with charity everywhere stimulated to the highest degree, she founded religious societies and numerous other useful bodies, so that, with the aid which these furnished, there was scarcely any form of human misery that went uncared for."

"And yet many today go so far as to condemn the Church as the ancient pagans once did, for such outstanding charity, and would substitute in lieu thereof a system of benevolence established by the laws of the State. But no human devices can ever be found to supplant Christian charity, which gives itself entirely for the benefit of others. This virtue belongs to the Church alone, for, unless it is derived from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is in no wise a virtue; and whosoever departs from the Church wanders far from Christ...."

"Therefore those governing the State ought primarily to devote themselves to the service of individual groups and of the whole commonwealth, and through the entire scheme of laws and institutions to cause both public and individual well-being to develop spontaneously out of the very structure and administration of the State. For this is the duty of wise statesmanship and the essential office of those in charge of the State. Now, States are made prosperous especially by wholesome morality, properly ordered family life, protection of religion and justice, moderate imposition and equitable distribution of public burdens, progressive development of industry and trade, thriving agriculture, and by all other things of this nature, which the more actively they are promoted, the better and happier the life of the citizens is destined to be. Therefore, by virtue of these things, it is within the competence of the rulers of the State that, as they benefit other groups, they also improve in particular the condition of the workers. Furthermore, they do this with full right and without laying themselves open to any charge of unwarranted interference. For the State is bound by the very law of its office to serve the common interest. And the richer the benefits which come from this general providence on the part of the State, the less necessary it will be to experiment with other measures for the well-being of workers...."

"Rights indeed, by whomsoever possessed, must be religiously protected; and public authority, in warding off injuries and punishing wrongs, ought to see to it that individuals may have and hold what belongs to them.... The capital point is this, that private property ought to be safeguarded by the sovereign power of the State and through the bulwark of its laws. And especially, in view of such a great flaming up of passion at the present time, the masses ought to be kept within the bounds of their moral obligations. For while justice does not oppose our striving for better things, on the other hand, it does forbid anyone to take from another what is his and, in the name of a certain absurd equality, to seize forcibly the property of others; nor does the interest of the common good itself permit this. Certainly, the great majority of working people prefer to secure better conditions by honest toil, without doing wrong to anyone. Nevertheless, not a few individuals are found who, imbued with evil ideas and eager for revolution, use every means to stir up disorder and incite to violence. The authority of the State, therefore, should intervene and, by putting restraint upon such disturbers, protect the morals of workers from their corrupting arts and lawful owners from the danger of spoliation...."

"[I]n the case of the worker, there are many things which the power of the State should protect; and, first of all, the goods of his soul. For however good and desirable mortal life be, yet it is not the ultimate goal for which we are born, but a road only and a means for perfecting, through knowledge of truth and love of good, the life of the soul...." Hmmm, I assume preventing the poor from stealing from the rich would be good for the souls of the poor, no?

"Let it be granted then that worker and employer may enter freely into agreements and, in particular, concerning the amount of the wage; yet there is always underlying such agreements an element of natural justice, and one greater and more ancient than the free consent of contracting parties, namely, that the wage shall not be less than enough to support a worker who is thrifty and upright...."

"But in these and similar questions, such as the number of hours of work in each kind of occupation and the health safeguards to be provided, particularly in factories, it will be better, in order to avoid unwarranted governmental intervention, especially since circumstances of business, season, and place are so varied, that decision be reserved to the organizations of which We are about to speak below...."

"We have seen, in fact, that the whole question under consideration cannot be settled effectually unless it is assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought to favor this right and, so far as it can, see that the largest possible number among the masses of the population prefer to own property. If this is done, excellent benefits will follow, foremost among which will surely be a more equitable division of goods...."

"[I]f the productive activity of the multitude can be stimulated by the hope of acquiring some property in land, it will gradually come to pass that, with the difference between extreme wealth and extreme penury removed, one class will become neighbor to the other. Moreover, there will surely be a greater abundance of the things which the earth produces. For when men know they are working on what belongs to them, they work with far greater eagerness and diligence."

"But these advantages can be attained only if private wealth is not drained away by crushing taxes of every kind. For since the right of possessing goods privately has been conferred not by man's law, but by nature, public authority cannot abolish it, but can only control its exercise and bring it into conformity with the commonweal. Public authority therefore would act unjustly and inhumanly, if in the name of taxes it should appropriate from the property of private individuals more than is equitable."

"Finally, employers and workers themselves can accomplish much in this matter, manifestly through those institutions by the help of which the poor are opportunely assisted and the two classes of society are brought closer to each other. Under this category come associations for giving mutual aid; various agencies established by the foresight of private persons to care for the worker and likewise for his dependent wife and children in the event that an accident, sickness, or death befalls him; and foundations to care for boys and girls, for adolescents, and for the aged...."

"Inadequacy of his own strength, learned from experience, impels and urges a man to enlist the help of others. Such is the teaching of Holy Scripture: "It is better therefore that two should be together than one; for they have the advantage of their society. If one fall he shall be supported by the other; woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth he hath none to lift him up." [Eccl. 4:9-10] And this also: "A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city." [Proverbs 18:19] Just as man is drawn by this natural propensity into civil union and association, so he also seeks with his fellow citizens to form other societies, admittedly small and not perfect, but societies none the less...." Brothers know each other personally. Societies are local, small, and intimate. How the heck can a Christian claim impersonal Big Government thousands of miles away in Washington, DC is brotherly love?!

"Although private societies exist within the State and are, as it were, so many parts of it, still it is not within the authority of the State universally and per se to forbid them to exist as such. For man is permitted by a right of nature to form private societies; the State, on the other hand, has been instituted to protect and not to destroy natural right, and if it should forbid its citizens to enter into associations, it would clearly do something contradictory to itself because both the State itself and private associations are begotten of one and the same principle, namely, that men are by nature inclined to associate...." Hmmm, and what if government social programs destroy the will, initiative, and resources of private charitable groups by trying to assume to itself their functions and resources? Where will charitable groups get money if the State taxes the rich heavily?

"Certainly, the number of associations of almost every possible kind, especially of associations of workers, is now far greater than ever before. This is not the place to inquire whence many of them originate, what object they have, or how they proceed. But the opinion is, and it is one confirmed by a good deal of evidence, that they are largely under the control of secret leaders and that these leaders apply principles which are in harmony neither with Christianity nor with the welfare of States, and that, after having possession of all available work, they contrive that those who refuse to join with them will be forced by want to pay the penalty. Under these circumstances, workers who are Christians must choose one of two things; either to join associations in which it is greatly to be feared that there is danger to religion, or to form their own associations and unite their forces in such a way that they may be able manfully to free themselves from such unjust and intolerable opposition...."

"Finally, there are not wanting Catholics of great wealth, yet voluntary sharers, as it were, in the lot of the wage workers, who by their own generous contributions are striving to found and extend associations through which the worker is readily enabled to obtain from his toil not only immediate benefits, but also assurance of honorable retirement in the future. How much good such manifold and enthusiastic activity has contributed to the benefit of all this is too well known to make discussion necessary. From all this, We have taken auguries of good hope for the future, provided that societies of this kind continually grow and that they are founded with wise organization. Let the State protect these lawfully associated bodies of citizens; let it not, however, interfere with their private concerns and order of life; for vital activity is set in motion by an inner principle, and it is very easily destroyed, as We know, by intrusion from without." Hmmm, sounds like the principle of limited government. Now, what political philosophy espouses this principle too??

"It is clear, however, that moral and religious perfection ought to be regarded as their [unions'] principal goal, and that their social organization as such ought above all to be directed completely by this goal. For otherwise, they would degenerate in nature and would be little better than those associations in which no account is ordinarily taken of religion. Besides, what would it profit a worker to secure through an association an abundance of goods, if his soul through lack of its proper food should run the risk of perishing? "What doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, but suffer the loss of his own soul?" [Mt 16:26] Christ Our Lord teaches that this in fact must be considered the mark whereby a Christian is distinguished from a pagan: "After all these things the Gentiles seek -- seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all these things shall be given you besides." [Mt 6:32-33] Therefore, having taken their principles from God, let those associations provide ample opportunity for religious instruction so that individual members may understand their duties to God, that they may well know what to believe, what to hope for, and what to do for eternal salvation, and that with special care they may be fortified against erroneous opinions and various forms of corruption." Hmmm, could these errors and corruption be liberalism and its disregard for private property rights? Judging from the rest of the encyclical, yes!

"Through these regulations, provided they are readily accepted, the interests and welfare of the poor will be adequately cared for. Associations of Catholics, moreover, will undoubtedly be of great importance in promoting prosperity in the State." He means moral, religious regulations, not government regulations. The context is clear. Also, promoting prosperity is good! How else can we provide for the poor??

"The foundation of this teaching rests on this, that the just ownership of money is distinct from the just use of money. To own goods privately, as We saw above, is a right natural to man, and to exercise this right, especially in life in society, is not only lawful, but clearly necessary. 'It is lawful for man to own his own things. It is even necessary for human life.' [Aquinas] But if the question be asked: How ought man to use his possessions? the Church replies without hesitation: 'As to this point, man ought not regard external goods as his own, but as common so that, in fact, a person should readily share them when he sees others in need. Wherefore the Apostle says: "Charge the rich of this world...to give readily, to share with others".'" [Aquinas; Tim 6:17-18] Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't look like Scripture says tax the rich and force them to share with others! It says that religious leaders, who are not to be political leaders, should encourage and command the rich to do so.

"For, no matter how strong the power of prejudice and passion in man, yet, unless perversity of will has deadened the sense of the right and just, the good will of citizens is certain to be more freely inclined toward those whom they learn to know as industrious and temperate, and who clearly place justice before profit and conscientious observance of duty before all else...." Notice that the pope has faith in free people who know others intimately in community. Why can't liberals do the same thing?

"They are conscious of being most inhumanly treated by greedy employers, that almost no greater value is placed on them than the amount of gain they yield by their toil, and that in the associations, moreover, in whose meshes they are caught, there exist in place of charity and love, internal dissensions which are the inseparable companions of aggravating and irreligious poverty. Broken in spirit, and worn out in body, how gladly many would free themselves from a servitude so degrading! Yet they dare not because either human shame or the fear of want prevents them. It is remarkable how much associations of Catholics can contribute to the welfare of all such men if they invite those wavering in uncertainty to their bosom in order to remedy their difficulties, and if they receive the penitents into their trust and protection...." Hmmm, again, I don't see any advocacy of Big Government. I see encouragement of private associations of Catholics (like at St. Mary's).

"First and foremost Christian morals must be re-established, without which even the weapons of prudence, which are considered especially effective, will be of no avail, to secure well-being." What?! We can't steal from the rich first and then be moral? What a shame.

"Let this be understood in particular by those whose duty it is to promote the public welfare. Let the members of the Sacred Ministry exert all their strength of mind and all their diligence, and Venerable Brethren, under the guidance of your authority and example, let them not cease to impress upon men of all ranks the principles of Christian living as found in the Gospel; by all means in their power let them strive for the well-being of people; and especially let them aim both to preserve in themselves and to arouse in others, in the highest equally as well as in the lowest, the mistress and queen of the virtues, Charity. Certainly, the well-being which is so longed for is chiefly to be expected from an abundant outpouring of charity; of Christian charity, we mean, which is in epitome the law of the Gospel, and which, always ready to sacrifice itself for the benefit of others, is man's surest antidote against the insolence of the world and immoderate love of self; the divine office and features of this virtue being described by the Apostle Paul in these words: "Charity is patient, is kind...is not self- seeking...bears with all things...endures all things." [1 Cor 13:4-7] Notice that it is the Church's duty to promote the public welfare. Notice that the well-being of the poor is to come "chiefly" from charity. Notice that real charity requires "sacrifice [of the self] for the benefit of others," NOT making others sacrifice for others.

Celebrate Preah Vihea joins World Heritage list at Spean Neak park, Phnom Penh.

Celebrate Preah Vihea joins World Heritage list at Spean Neak park, Phnom Penh.

Times:
12 p.m.

Events:

* Giant Tire Flip
* Truck Pull
* Log Press
* Truck Tire Deadlift
* Conan's Wheel

Location:
Uno Chicago Grill

155 Bear Hill Road
Waltham, Massachusetts 02451

Admission:

FREE, though donations to the American Cancer Society are greatly appreciated

Description:
On Saturday, August 25th Excel Sport & Fitness will be teaming up with Uno Chicago Grill in Waltham and North American Strongman Inc. to promote the “Strength Beyond Strength Strongman Challenge”, a charity event to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  The contest will feature athletes competing in five superhuman strength events including truck pulls, giant tire flips, and log lifts.  The event will be accompanied by raffles and other giveaways, and will provide several hours of entertainment for the whole family.  Uno’s has graciously agreed to donate a portion of all profits that day to the charity as well.  So if you’re in the area, and want to support a great cause, we encourage you to stop by and see the excitement.

For more information call (781) 890-0009

FRIDAY

Met up with Vic and colleagues at The Pump Room last friday and 'shaked' a bit (btw, the live band rockz!)

We also managed to surprise CY with a yummy birthday cake which was a Strawberry Cheese cake from Paisley & Cream.

Earlier on during the day, she kept interrupting our 'secret conversations' (when we were whispering to one and other abt the cake) by asking us what we were talking about. We were very fast to react by acting blur or divert the conversation to something else...(e.g. we made TL a scapegoat by suaning him abt his beau). Heehee... sorry dude!

I think most of us had a great time relaxing after a long tiring week of work. :)

SATURDAY

- Did the Karen Cheng's pose @ The Forbidden City.

- Had a superlong rest (slept for 12 hrs)

SUNDAY

- 'Nua' at home

- Done some housework.

Into the Army he goes probably believing that he will just be 'one of the boys' convinced by those behind the scenes who really pull the strings. While we're at it they say, 'let's set up a charity in his name, something that the people out there will make a connection with his mother, Diana.' 'Now that one was a real success, one of our best, the public fell for that whole fairy tale Princess line.'

Sorry, I digress, back to Harry and his charity Sentebale which appears to do some good things in Lesotho, although Oxfam given the cash would probably do it more cheaply. Off he went with 35 others from his Army Unit with presumably his personal protection security man and enjoyed wheeling a barrow for the benefit of the assembled photographers. If one ponders for a moment on the cost of all these people travelling to Lesotho it would have been far better to send the money and let local people do the work themselves and have the benefit of this added income. That though wouldn't get another story of the Royals in the news now would it?

Cynical manipulation of Harry, the people of Lesotho and the British public.

Every time I donate, I am always amazed at the heat radiating out of the tube as it snakes out of my arm and today I spend my four minutes pondering that heat.

That is my blood.  It is the fuel of my life, the source of my vitality.

That is my life.  By donating it to those in need, I am giving them a precious part of my body, the body God gave me.

My church teaches that we are the children of God on Earth, that he is the literal father of our spirits.  Our purpose on this Earth, in this life, is to grow, gain experiences and become like our Heavenly Father.

That is, we are to become like God.

Our bodies are the bodies of gods and therefore it is our responsibility to respect them, keeping them healthy and fit, and use them responsibly.  I feel that one of the best things I can do with my body, one strong and healthy, is to help another, with a body not so strong and healthy, to grow.

That little pint I gave today?  That could save a child's life.  That could help get a patient discharged.  That could provide the vital boost needed to help someone live a beautiful life.  That's good enough for me.

In fact, it kinda makes me feel like a hero... :)

BUTHA-BUTHE, Lesotho - Prince Harry says his mother would be proud of the work he and his regiment are doing to revamp a school for disabled children in the impoverished African kingdom of Lesotho.

Prince Harry was speaking Tuesday at the Thuso Center in a village outside the Lesotho capital, Maseru.

Prince Harry says he pushed wheelbarrows, filled trenches and worked up a sweat, saying: ''It would be wrong for a patron of a charity to not get involved.''

He is in the country with his regiment, the Household Cavalry, assisting with projects run by Sentebale, the charity the prince set up in his mother's memory with Prince Sessio of Lesotho.

By Associated Press

Ben Folds, Jack Johnson, Sharon Jones, Jessie Baylin, members of Mastadon, Money Mark and Carney, comedians Brian Pose and Louis C.K, and superstar surfer/musician Donovan Frankenreiter were among those who signed the one-of-a-kind guitar Hipolito painted especially for the art exhibit and silent auction portion of "Rocksta."

"It was insane trying to get to all those guys,” Hipolito said. “Bonnaroo is a huge festival, so we were constantly running from one stage to another. But it was definitely worth it," Hipolito said.

His company, ArtCo Surf, was one of the sponsors for "Rocksta," a music, art and fashion event to be held in Hard Rock Hotel's rooftop Moonstone Lounge. The artist was also on hand to hand-paint one of his signature surfboards right there on the rooftop.

Bands who performed on the rooftop were Sashamon, The B Foundation and The Dirty Heads. La Isla Couture presented swimwear fashions on a catwalk in 10-15 minute intervals along with Surf Prescriptions’ surfboards and clothing by Jeff “Doc” Lausch. The art exhibit and silent auction rounded out the event.

SURFAID (http://www.surfaidinternational.org) is a non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people living in isolated regions connected to through surfing. LOP (http://www.thelandofplenty.org) is a non-profit skateboard company that encourages skateboarding as a creative form of physical education and artistic expression for at-risk youth.

For more information on "Rocksta," contact Line Up Magazine at 910-509-0577 (http://www.linupthemag.com)  For more information on Clark Hipolito and ArtCo Surf, visit  http://www.artcosurf.com.

###

This is a kind of Catch-22, in that Bono's getting impugned for his charity work because he's "just a rock star," yet many of these trigger-happy critics turn right around and attack stars for doing absolutely nothing with their fortunes except horde it for themselves.  Why so bitter, boys and girls?  Jealousy?  Or just plain cynicism?  The way I see it, you can hate the music.  Fine.  You can disagree with his politics.  OK.  But to attack his charity (which comes out of his own pocket, mind you), that's uncalled for.

Now, I realize that because I wrote my dissertation on U2 this entry isn't entirely unbiased.  But then again, this blog isn't about being unbiased; it's about how I see things.  Disagree with me?  Bring it.

There are many ways in which you can participate in the event, for more information please check out the video below:

Donation Page, Info + Press Release @ http://www.justgiving.com/stickaid2008

"Stickaid 2008" will take place on July 19th between 9am PDT/5pm GMT, and July 20th at 9am PDT/5pm GMT @ http://www.stickam.com/blade376

This fundraising activity is in aid of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, registered charity 1072612 and has not been organised by UNICEF itself. Any views or opinions expressed during this fundraising activity are not those of UNICEF , UNICEF international, staff or partnership organisations.

Please spread the word and help out towards this very worthy cause!

The event will be held in the Santo Tomas Hospital in Avenida Balboa (everybody knows where it is), and it will take place from July 9th to 13th, tickets are for sale at any Block Busters in Panama city (USD 10.00 per day)

I am looking forward to hear the indie cinema, jazz, urban poetry and "Papo Vecino Unplugged" performances.

Event Schedule

MIERCOLES 9 DE JULIO (July 9)

DONACION DE $10 PARA EL PATRONATO DEL SANTO TOMAS Y LA CULTURA GENERAL DE PANAMA!

*BOLETOS DE VENTA EN BLOCK BUSTER

INAUGURACION 6:30 PM

7:30 (GLAM HALL)
TALLER CON DAVIS CARRASQUILLA STYLIST DE VOGUE, COSMO, Y VANIDADES (Fashion Workshop)

8:00 (CUARTO #20)
POESIA URBANA CON EL JAGUAR CLANDESTINO (Urban Poetry, spanish)

8:00 (GLAM HALL)
PASARELA INTELIGENTE CON FASHIONISTAS Y ROPA DE MOISES SANDOYA (Fashion Show)

8:30 (GLAM HALL)
DABA, BANDA DE JAZZ

9:00 (GLAM HALL)
TUWIRA BANDA DE JAZZ

JUEVES 10 DE JULIO (July 10)

DONACION DE $10 PARA EL PATRONATO DEL SANTO TOMAS Y LA CULTURA GANERAL DE PANAMA!

5:00 PM EN CINEMA ROOM (CUARTO #5)
PRESENTACION DE CORTOS (Short Films)

7:00 (GLAM HALL)
ALFREDO HIDROVO UNPLUGGED

8:00 (GLAM HALL)
PASARELA INTELIGENTE (Fashion Show)

8:00 (CUARTO #20)
POESIA URBANA CON LA DAMA DE LAS ROSAS DE VIA BRAZIL Y CALLE 50 (Urban Poetry, Spanish)

9:00 (GLAM HALL)
ROBERTO BLADES UNPLUGGED

VIERNES 11 DE JULIO (July 11)

DONACION DE $10 PARA EL PATRONATO DEL SANTO TOMAS Y LA CULTURA GANERAL DE PANAMA!

5:00 PM EN CINEMA ROOM (CUARTO #5)
PRESENTACION DE CORTOS (Short Films)

7:00 (GLAM HALL)
PASARELA INTELIGENTE DE BMB CON FASHIONISTAS (Fashion Show)

8:00 (MILLER LOUNGE)
PRESENTACION DE MATT CASELLI

8:00 (CUARTO #20)
POESIA URBANA CON STAND-UP ARTIST OD THE NIGHT (Urban Poetry)

9:00 (GLAM HALL)
EMILIO REGUIERA UNPLUGGED

SABADO 12 DE JULIO (July 12)

DONACION DE $10 PARA EL PATRONATO DEL SANTO TOMAS Y LA CULTURA GANERAL DE PANAMA!

4:00 (CUARTO #20)
TALLER DE DAVID CARSON

5:00 PM EN CINEMA ROOM (CUARTO #5)
PRESENTACION DE CORTOS (Short Films)

7:00 (GLAM HALL)
CARLOS MENDEZ UNPLUGGED

8:00 (GLAM HALL)
PREMIOS DE LA MODA
CON PASARELA INTELIGENTE DE VIA VAI (Fashion Awards with Fashion Show)

9:00 (GLAM HALL)
PAPO VECINO UNPLUGGED - Good Stuff!!!

DOMINGO 13 DE Julio (July 13)

4:00 (GLAM HALL)
CATA DE VINOS DEL MASTER SOMELIER - Wine tasting!

5:00 (GLAM HALL)
PREMIACIONES DE FESTIVALES

6:00 (GLAM HALL)
PRESENTACION DE INDIGO - Local Rock Band live

References

• La Fabrika Official Website
• Facebook event - Updated info!

Paul McCartney has launched a fund-raising campaign for the Paralympics worth 2 Million Pounds, which will extend beyond the 2012 Paralympic Games, according to the former Beatle's website. This may be partly because London will host the Paralympics in 2012, but I think Paul has shown himself to be an advocate of the disabled with his tireless work regarding the removal of active land mines. Read the full story, here.

CD VERÖFFENTLICHUNG MIT VIELEN HOCHKARÄTIGEN STARS WIE SILBERMOND, SÖHNE MANNHEIMS, ICH & ICH, CULCHA CANDELA u.v.a.
INITIATOR & ROCKSÄNGER SIO STEINBERGER SIEHT KREATIVE WEGE ALS CHANCE ZUR GEWALTLOSIGKEIT.

Erde & Mensch Charity CD und CD-DVD VÖ 30.05.08 im Handel und auf den Online-Portalen

Single Erde & Mensch VÖ 23.05.08 Online - Label Vi-sio-nen Records - Vertrieb Groove Attack

Musik ist die Sprache der Seele, transportiert Botschaften, bewegt etwas - das beweist uns eine Vielzahl von Künstlern immer wieder aufs Neue. Und so haben sich auch beim Charity Musik-Projekt Erde & Mensch diverse Künstler und Bands zusammengeschlossen, um mit ihrer Musik wachzurütteln. Initiator des Projektes ist der Sozialarbeiter, Sänger und Produzent Sio Steinberger.

Songproben auf der MySpace-Seite

Er hat 15 Jahre lang hauptberuflich mit straffällig gewordenen Kindern und Jugendlichen in einem Resozialisierungsprojekt gearbeitet. Sio Steinberger möchte mit dem Projekt Erde & Mensch benachteiligte, traumatisierte und in Not geratene Kinder und Jugendliche unterstützen. Begegnet werden soll der Sehnsucht nach Anerkennung und den kranken Seelen, die um sich schlagen. „Jedes Kind hat das Recht auf liebevolles Aufwachsen“, so der Leitsatz von Sio Steinberger.

Foto Corinna Kley

Für das innovative Erde & Mensch-Sampler-Album konnte Steinberger bekannte Bands und Künstler aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz gewinnen. Mit dabei sind u. a. Silbermond, Söhne Mannheims, Ich & Ich, Culcha Candela, Rio Reiser & Alan Woerner mit einem bisher unveröffentlichten Song, sowie Zweitfrau, Rapsoul, Dirk Zöllner, Lea Finn, Regy Clasen, IC Falkenberg, Mia Aegerter, Sio Steinberger selbst und viele weitere engagierte Künstler aus der deutschsprachigen Musikszene.

Foto Thommy Mardo

Das Erde & Mensch Musikprojekt ist ein Projekt des Vereins Erde & Mensch e.V.. Ziel ist es, Kinder und Jugendliche mit Gewalterfahrungen durch kreative Wege zu fördern. Sie sollen etwas tun dürfen, von dem sie nie gedacht hätten, dass sie es können. Sie sollen ihre eigenen Vorstellungen umsetzen, für etwas stehen - jemand sein. Diese Chance bekommen sie insbesondere durch das Medium Musik in jeder Form, aber auch durch Gestalten, Film, Tanz, Umgang mit Tieren und der Natur. Durch das Erleben der eigenen Kreativität können sie mehr Selbstwert aufbauen und lernen gleichzeitig, andere zu respektieren.

Foto SonyBMG

Immer noch sind die Angebote rar, diese Möglichkeiten ohne finanziellen Aufwand für Benachteiligte zu schaffen. Hier wird der von Sio Steinberger gegründete gemeinnützige Verein Erde & Mensch e. V. aktiv. Kreative Musikprojekte im Kinderheim, im Jugendtreff, in der Schule und bei Tipi Kreativfreizeiten mit traumatisierten Kindern im Sommer sind Schwerpunkte der Vereinsarbeit.

Durch die Veröffentlichung des Erde & Mensch-Samplers soll das Projekt finanziell gestärkt und genügend Freiraum für die Arbeit mit Kindern & Jugendlichen geschaffen werden. Der Ertrag aus den Albumverkäufen fließt zu 100% ohne Abzüge direkt in die Arbeit von Erde & Mensch e. V.

Foto: Rio Reiser Archiv

Sio Steinberger hat für das Album auch mit der Rap Band „Nichts zu verliern“ aus München einen Song produziert. Einige Mitglieder der neu gegründeten Band kamen schon früh mit dem Gesetz in Konflikt. Heute sind sie stolz auf ihre Leistung im Erde & Mensch-Projekt – sie haben gelernt, sich über Hip Hop und Rap auszudrücken und seitdem gewaltfrei zu leben. Erde & Mensch soll wachrütteln und den Aufbau sowie die langfristige und nachhaltige Förderung von Kreativ-Projekten ermöglichen. Weitere Informationen zu Erde & Mensch sind unter www.erdeundmensch.com zu finden. Jede Unterstützung hilft.

Foto David Cuenca

Statement von Silbermond zum Erde & Mensch Projekt:
„Es gibt so viele Dinge, mit denen man auf „Gewalt“ in jeglicher Hinsicht aufmerksam machen kann. Doch welche kommen auch bei den Jugendlichen an?

Musik ist keine Mutter, die dir verbietet heute Abend lange weg zu bleiben. Sie ist kein Lehrer, der dir sagt, dass du Hausaufgaben zu machen hast. Und sie sagt dir nicht, wie du sein sollst oder was du zu denken hast. Musik ist einfach da. Die Texte erzählen dir etwas und nehmen Stellung zu bestimmten Sachen. Doch dabei ist immer noch der Zuhörer selbst der, der entscheidet, ob er das auch so sieht. Wir machen bei diesem Projekt mit, weil wir daran glauben, dass Musik zum Nachdenken anregen kann. Und wenn das auch nur bei einem Menschen, der diese CD hört, funktioniert, dann hat sich dieses Projekt schon allemal gelohnt.“ Silbermond, 04.03.2008

Quelle / Vollkontakt: Erde & Mensch Büro · Erde & Mensch e.V. Wölkham 3 · 83128 Halfing
Urheberrecht gilt auch im Internet: Verlinken erlaubt, Kopieren verboten!

One of the most interesting and exciting findings of the entire trip was discovering little
Nicole Rodriguez. Dr Weakland and I are committed to helping Nicole.

MEDICAL MISSION TO HONDURAS AND BELIZE

The medical mission trip to the small village of El Pino, Honduras and the Belizean jungle village of Dolores is now a fond memory. Along with twenty five other members of the Saint Mark United Methodist Church, I left for Honduras on July 07, 2007. We consisted of a medical team with two physicians, a nurse and a pharmacist, a dental team with a portable dental chair, two construction teams and an educational team.

One of the construction teams worked on constructing a Habitat-style house which they built from scratch to almost ready to move in during the week we were in Honduras…I even helped mix concrete one afternoon after I had finished seeing patients in the clinic! The other construction team worked on several educational buildings in El Pino and on fixing up a run-down church in La Ceiba, Honduras that will re-open in September.

The educational team held summer Bible school for approximately 250 children every day. They had to travel down a dusty dirt road from El Pino to the village of Nueve de Julio.

Aside from that first day when I helped the construction team by mixing concrete, the medical and dental teams went into the outlying countryside to small villages to bring doctors and a dentist to people who otherwise would never see a doctor or a dentist. Most of the ailments we saw were related to malnutrition diseases and parasites. In that first week in Honduras, Dr. Laura L. Weakland, M. D. (a cancer specialist from Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta who joined me on this trip to Honduras) and I saw over 400 people. We were able to give them much needed medicines that your gift purchased. With the many donations I received, I was able to take four thousand doses of worm medicine and many other medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, heart medicines, medications for diabetes mellitus, vitamins and much more.

One of the most interesting and exciting findings of the entire trip was finding little Nicole Rodriguez. On one of our trips to a remote bush village at the end of an exhausting day, we found this little four year-old. At birth this child’s sex was indistinct, having neither male nor female characteristics. Nicole’s father left the family of six children and their mother because “this is a disgrace to me”, he

said. So the mother and her six children moved in with an uncle. The uncle had just put them all out of his house the same week we were holding clinic in their village. Fortunately, this family qualified to move into the house we built while in Honduras that week! Dr. Weakland and I are committed to bringing Nicole to the United States for a proper evaluation and corrective surgery. In that way, this child can grow up to have a proper sexual identity. Click here to view a couple more pictures of Nicole so that you may have a good idea of what she looks like. You may contribute to this worthy, tax deductible cause online or make your checks payable to: Saint Mark United Methodist Church 781 Peachtree Street N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Attn: The Nicole Rodriguez Fund *If making a donation online, be sure to enter the amount in the box labeled "The Nicole Rodriguez Fund".

[wp_caption id="attachment_5" align="alignnone" width="167" caption="Nicole Rodriguez"][/wp_caption]

The second week I alone went into the Belizean jungle to Dolores. There in that remote setting where electricity and running water are not, the Quekchi Indians live as they have for millennia…stone age. I conducted clinic daily in a vacant health facility. I saw over
250 sick people during the three days that I was there. The first day was spent just getting settled. Not having the luxuries of home such as a shower, or a nice restaurant to eat my meals, I became as one of the Quekchi. I even learned to speak some much needed sentences of their language. There was a clear, cold, swiftly running stream through the village where everybody bathed daily, yours truly not excepted! I, of course, went upstream where I could not easily be seen! At night I entertained the inquisitive Quekchi by candle light. They had rarely seen a white man before and thought that my attempts to speak their language was hilarious.

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for your being a part of my mission to these two places in need. I was able to leave a sufficient quantity of medicines in both El Pino and in Dolores with instructions on how to use them. I am sure that the beneficiaries of your good will are grateful for you generosity as well.

Gratefully yours,

Richard Kauffman, M.D.