Bulgaria's Abandoned Children - An Urgent Call for Help

Before you read on, you need to sit down and watch this documentary: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9176914173325307126

It is beyond belief and beyond words.
The documentary is about a social care home in Mogilino, Bulgaria where 75 unwanted children are growing up. Most of the children can not talk because no one has ever spoken to them. Some are abused by the staff but are unable to report it as they cannot speak.

The children are severely malnourished and several die every year due to neglect. Some are the same age as me but look much younger as they are wasting away (the girl in the picture is 18). They are locked away at night with only one member of staff to care for all 75 and most never get to go outside. With nothing to do all day, they simply sit and rock backwards and forwards - a typical human response to lack of stimulation. In the mornings they are herded to the showers naked and not even given towels to dry themselves. The younger children sit on potties for most of the day, just rocking.

What is deeply shocking is that this is not the only home like this - in Bulgaria, 1 in 50 children grows up in an institution such as this one. They are abandoned and disowned by their parents due to disabilities such as mild autism, blindness or 'mental retardation'. All these children really want is someone to love and care for them.

To learn more, visit www.abandonedchildren.org.uk.
To make an emergency UNICEF donation, go to http://www.unicef.org.uk/emergency/emergency_detail.asp?emergency=41.

Help save Bulgaria's abandonded children.

ONE.org - The Campaign to Make Poverty History

ONE is one of the most widespread and active campaigns to stop poverty, prevent AIDS and put an end to world hunger.

From the ONE.org website:
"ONE is Americans of all beliefs and every walk of life - united as ONE - to help make poverty history. We are a campaign of over 2.4 million people and growing from all 50 states and over 100 of America's most well-known and respected non-profit, advocacy and humanitarian organizations. As ONE, we are raising public awareness about the issues of global poverty, hunger, disease and efforts to fight such problems in the world's poorest countries. As ONE, we are asking our leaders to do more to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. ONE believes that allocating more of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs like health, education, clean water and food would transform the futures and hopes of an entire generation in the world's poorest countries."

To help contribute to the cause, you can purchase wear a wrist band/t-shirt, become a volunteer, spread the word or visit an event. Visit the website for more information on how to become ONE.

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How easy would it be if we could help stop world hunger with a daily click of the mouse? Now you can. At http://www.thehungersite.com/ a simple, daily click of the yellow "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button, visitors help provide food to those in need. Visitors pay nothing. Food is paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by Mercy Corps worldwide and by America's Second Harvest to food banks throughout the United States.

All you have to do is click. Today, tomorrow and the day after.

Skin Products That Save Lives

We all spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on skin care products each year. We all want the latest and greatest for our skin. Why not try quality skin care that features only premium, wholesome ingredients? NuSkin remains true to this "all of the good, none of the bad" heritage today, developing innovative products that support the health and longevity of skin and hair.

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Give it a try.

Good news! The Fair Trade marketplace is broader and more vibrant than ever before.

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Don't toss it or buy it... FREECYCLE it!

The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. How it Works When you want to find a new home for something -- whether it's a chair, a fax machine, piano, or an old door -- you simply send an e-mail offering it to members of the local Freecycle group. Or, maybe you're looking to acquire something yourself. Simply respond to a member's offer, and you just might get it. After that, it's up to the giver to decide who receives the gift and to set up a pickup time for passing on the treasure.

Their main rule: "Everything posted must be free, legal, and appropriate for all ages. Non-profit organizations also benefit from The Freecycle Network. Post the item or items you want to give away and specify that you wish the gift to go to a nonprofit cause. It's a free cycle of giving. The Freecycle Network is incorporated as a nonprofit organization and is tax-exempt under the IRS 501(c)3 ruling. "

Membership is free at http://www.freecycle.org/

5 Steps to Help Protect Your Envrionment

ENERGY STAR offers 5 simple steps towards efficient energy use, leading to a better environment:

1. Bulbs. Next time you need to replace a burnt out bulb, buy bulbs with the ENERGY STAR logo on them and you will use less energy and get more life out of your bulbs.
2. Appliances. When you buy new appliances, including lighting, home electronics, heating and cooling equipment, ensure they carry the ENERGY STAR label.
3. Heat and Cool Smartly. Have your heating and cooling systems serviced annually to ensure maximum performance and maintenance, resulting in lower bills. Programmable thermostats are a great way to heat and cool efficiently and preserve energy.
4. Seal up Your Home. Seal air leaks, add insulation, or update windows and doors to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
5. Load Up. Only wash clothes when you have a full load, using your ENERGY-STAR certified washer and dryer.

For more energy-saving tips, visit www.energystar.gov.