trying to think f something for Christmas that would truly be useful and
practical for her and her single mom and younger sister. The family lives in a small village
in the Central American country of El Salvador near the capitol of San Salvador where
the two impoverished girls attend school. The program through which a paltry sum of $35.00
monthly is withdrawn from my bank account - is called Plan Canada and was established here in 1937. Incredibly, this amount is supposed to pay for food, school supplies, and the very basics
for one person. Hopefully the rest of the family also has the benefit of other
sponsors, but I don't actually know that this is the case.
One problem with holiday gift-giving, according to the Plan, is that one is significantly restricted from giving certain items since in little towns and villages, all the locals know exactly who receives cheques and other gifts and as a result, the family can b the victim of thieves.
For this reason, donors are advised to refrain from giving generously. This dilemma seems
so unfair but what is one to do? May Santa do a fly-by and equalize all the citizens of these
villages....
On another note, November 11th came and went while our Canadian soldiers continue the
battle in Afghanistan [and, of course, our American neighbors, the British, and other allies].
Remembrance Day holds a special place in my heart. For it was on this day in 1992 that my
beloved brother, John, died when a speeding car hit him while crossing a crosswalk in Walnut Creek, California. He was only two years younger than me. I donated all of his major organs to desperately needy recipients, and act which John would definitely have wanted. This act also buoyed my own spirits then and still now.
Life is a good thing. Have you thought about signing your donor's card? Do it today and God Bless!
