It's a Wonderful Life!

Have you ever see that 1946 Frank Capra film, starring James Stewart, "It's a Wonderful life"? Of course you have, and if not, then you have most likely seen the many different adaptions of it. The man wishes he'd never been born, and his wish is granted, and he gets to see what life would be like without him.

Well the main character in that film is George Bailey. His Childhood dream was to travel the world, see everything, do everything. However anytime his chance came up, so did a problem at home, which he would always stay to fix. Well, I'm feeling rather how George Bailey must have felt. Everytime My chance to travel comes up, so does a hurdle.

"I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world. Italy, Greece, the Parthenon, the Colosseum. Then, I'm comin' back here to go to college and see what they know. And then I'm gonna build things. I'm gonna build airfields, I'm gonna build skyscrapers a hundred stories high, I'm gonna build bridges a mile long... "

Back when "World Youth Day" was meant to be in Germany, I couldn't make it. I was meant to go to China with my school, a problem arose and they wouldnt let me join. This year, my friends will know, I was meant to spend six weeks as a volunteer in Thailand. However due to medical reasons, I can't make the journey. To say the least I've been a bit skeptical about the whole thing. On further reflection upon my Character likeness I came to a realisation. In the end It came to pass that George had helped so many people in his life, by making sacrafices. Well This has put me in a more positive mood. My hopes are that, even though I can't be off as a volunteer this year, I may still be of some help to others back here at home.

I'll keep ya posted on the progress.

For Now God Bless and Peace.

Is This Socially just?

Did you know, that 18 million people a year die, from Hunger? That means that around 50,000 die EACH day. Lets try and put that into perspective... The population of County Limerick dies each day from hunger. More than ten million of those death are Children. Thats 30, 000 per day.

30,000 Children that woke up this morning, won't be going back to bed tonight.

What about HIV/Aids. Just to bring that home a little; Did you know its not a foriegn disease? That 1 person everyday in Ireland is diagnosed with HIV/Aids. In Africa that number is 95,000. 95,000 people per day in Sub Saharan Africa alone are diagnosed with HIV/Aids. A further 65,000 on top of that die. 70% of all HIV/Aids cases are african. That said; 2.9 Million people worldwide died from HIV/Aids in 2006. This meant that 15 million Children lost their parents. In perspective... 12% of all Zambian Children found themselves orphaned.

Did you know Malaria kills more people per year than HIV/Aids?

Did you know that 872 Million adults in the developing world are illiterate? Thats one in four adults.

Why do I bring this up? Because You can help cure all these problems. You can make a difference. I hope to cause the burning desire in you, that I have within myself, to make that difference.

For those who are sceptical that any good can be done; Did you know that the number of people living in absolute poverty, ie. less than a dollar a day, has fallen from 1.25 Billion, to 980 Million? Did you know that the number of Children sleeping under malaria tents has risen, even if it is only 5% of Children under 5 in Africa?

Though these are great facts to hear, its just simply not enough. So How can you help? Its really simple.

Support local Charities such as Trocraire, Oxfam and Save the Children. Small donations, regular or irregular, can make a difference.

Have you heard all the talk these days of "going green"? Because this will not only help you, and benifit your children, but protecting the enviorment helps the worlds poorest people. Climate change, whether you choose to believe it or not, has ruined many farmland area's, leaving people in absolute poverty when their crops fail.

Buy fairtrade. When you are buying items, look for the fairtrade logo. It means that poor farmers are paid fairly for their produce. This means that they make enough money to support themselves, and improve their quality of life, thus decreasing their chance of disease, stops their Children dying from hunger and allows Children to attend schools.

(Product) Red. Click onto http://www.joinred.com. If you buy a (RED) product, the company will give profit to buy and distribute Anti-Retroviral medicine. So many big brands have signed up to this initiative, including Apple iPod, Motorola, Converse, Dell and Hallmark. Are you planning to buy the latest iPod Nano? Why not buy (RED)? It costs no more than standard, but you will help. How about cards? How often do you buy them? Birthdays, Pregnancys, Retirement, Get Well, Thank you and the list goes on. Why not look for Hallmark (RED)? It doesn't cost you any more than it would usually. Please check out the site. When you buy your new converse, buy (RED).

Not to mention, that you can make a difference by volunteering in these por countries. Check out Habitat for Humanity or http://www.serve.ie.

You don't even need to put yourself out to help... so please do.

Peace and God Bless