All of this drawing and painting is not so much a 'new me' as an 'old me' that has been resurrected. I almost began an art course at College when I was in my second year as a firefighter, and I have sold or gifted various pieces of artwork throughout my adult life. Nevertheless it will take a superhuman effort on my part to complete all four of my current ongoing pieces of art, in their various mediums to a standard that I am satisfied with. But that effort will pale into insignificance compared to the Superhuman effort that is required by the various Aid Agencies to stop thousands starving to death in Niger.
Niger on the West Coast of Africa; faced a drought earlier this year that led to failing crops, and any chance of survival was dashed with the arrival of floods. Failing crops lead to higher prices for staple foods and puts simple but basic nutrition out of the reach of the average person. While events in Pakistan dominate world headlines, and quite rightly so due to the sheer scale of that disaster, the little known events in Niger are leading to people starving to death. An Oxfam representative spoke well on the UK News this morning, but other organisations are also involved in the relief work. The UNICEF web site explains the tragedy that is occurring in Niger extremely well. The Save the Children Niger appeal web page breaks down your potential donation into its relevance in West Africa. The Oxfam web pages explain that the catastrophe is effecting Niger, Chad and West Africa. Oxfam also explain about the shortage of water as well as the lack of basic nutrition.
I won't be able to sit down to enjoy my Sunday Lunch today without making a charitable donation to one of the Leading Relief Agencies. I know that citizens of the UK have made the greatest charitable contributions worldwide to the disaster occurring in Pakistan. But we all need to dig a bit deeper and make a contribution, however small, to assist those that are in great need in Niger, Chad and West Africa. It is the least that we can do, as we ponder the simple fact that we are fortunate that we and our families do not have the same need at this moment in time. So wherever you are in the world and whenever you read this Blog, (even in the years ahead) dip into your pocket and make a donation.
If you can't donate online, then pop into your local Oxfam (or other relevant Relief organisation) shop and place a few pennies into their collection tin.
It is better to make a contribution towards something that really matters and for something that you can make a real difference to, than to part with your money to one of the many false charitable collections that all too frequently seem to crop up at home. You know, the ones where someone wants to travel somewhere or the other and expects you to pay for their journey and subsistence. Or so and so wants to study at College, but Mummy and Daddy can't afford it. No, please forget the false 'charities' and instead concentrate your charitable donations for 2010 where it really matters:
To save life, to support the quality of life, or to invest in research that could save life. All other charities would appear to be insignificant.
Web links
(type or copy and paste into your browser)
www.savethechildren.org.uk/niger
www.UNICEF.org.uk/Donate_Niger
www.Oxfam.org.uk/Niger
www.bhf.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
And others that save life or research to save life
