jim henson

I wanted to call attention to a new category in my sidebar (second to the last).  It is called Promoting Peace and highlights organizations that help people of greatest need internationally.

The first is Anti Slavery International. This is the world's oldest human rights organization and works exclusively to stop slavery, which still exists today (even in the United States--there was recently a story about a woman who was held without pay and without freedom as a "housekeeper" in Montgomery County, Maryland.)  Horrible things are happening to people, most especially, children, all over the world and it is up to us to stop it.

Catholic Relief Services are all over the world, often the first responders to disasters as they happen.  They are recognized as one of the most effective organizations in the world.

Central Asia Institute and its related websites, Pennies for Peace and  Three Cups of Tea, was founded by Greg Mortenson, a former mountain climber turned philanthropist.   After a failed attempt to climb K2, the world's second highest mountain, Greg lost his way and was rescued by local people in the Pakistani village he wandered into.  Afterwards, he promised them he would build them a school, and, literally, went back to America and started to fund raise from scratch.  He went on to build a bridge and school for that town, and 144 more schools.   Visit his websites, and look in your library for his books.

The other worthy organization is SOS Children's Villages.  They house orphans around the world, not in orphanages, but in homes with family based care.

Please consider giving to one or more of these organizations and promote true peace in the world.

Michele has let me know of a Catholic organization that works internationally to help children and the elderly in need throughout the world.  Chalice is a Canadian Catholic sponsorship program that operates in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Haiti.  Chalice is considered one of Canada's best charities.