Two Days Without War, or Two Cups of Coffee

This Thursday I was reading the Guardian and stumbled on a plea put forth by the UN asking for 4.7 billion to ease the suffering around the world. 1.5 billion of the total package is to be earmarked for Darfur. While we worried and donated to our own humanitarian crisis here in the US, the violence in Sudan continued, and now it threatens the relief efforts of those in need. In other parts of Africa, in Malawi one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, four years of drought has brought the people to the brink of destruction, life expectancy for it's citizens is 37 years. Children are born in poverty with AIDS and if they survive, the life that they can expect will be short and full of suffering.

Koffi Annan asked for 4.7 billion dollars. In his words, he said that the sum needed to care for the worlds suffering citizens would amount to the military budget of every nation in the world for a mere two days, or two cups of coffee for those of us who can afford to pay for those grande skim double shot mochas on a daily basis. As much as I would love having every military institution in the world declare a cease-fire for a mere 48 hours, the chances of having that happen any time in the near future are pretty slim. So that leaves the rest of us coffee drinkers to save the lives of those most in need.

When you think about it, it seems simple. Go without coffee. Okay for me, that would be impossible, but what if I could give up cigarettes for two days instead? It wouldn't be pleasant, but it's possible.

Hey it's the season to give, and whatever you can afford, two cups of coffee, that pint of Ben and Jerry's that you really don't need, that cute pair of red heels, whatever you are willing to part, with may mean the difference between life and death for another human being. And you never know, there may be a time in your life when you desperately need some human kindness, or even just a cup of coffee. I don't believe in God, but I believe that the power of human kindness can make a difference in the lives of everyone, and you never know when you might need a little kindness.

These are some organizations that could use your help.

World Food Programme

CARE

Project Hope

Peace, love, and coffee,

TankWoman

| +Save/Share | |