Anybody see the Diane Sawyer Show last night?

[airhead]

I keep seeing those little kids' faces everytime I shut my eyes.
We have it so good in this country.

airhead

 

[elemusing]

Yes, I watched it. I wept uncontrollably. And Orpah is right, when all these kids grow up, there is going to be a serious safety and civil issue there if someone doesn't step in to help them NOW. I can sponsor a child. That is one. If everyone sponsors one, then we can all together make a difference.

 

[TerriP]

I can't remember when I was so moved by one hour of television. Even my husband, a sometimes crabby and doubting soul, was moved. He went to bed because he didn't want to watch a show about Oprah, and then yelled out from the bedroom (where he was watching it! ) that he couldn't believe they weren't treating that woman for AIDS. I sat in the living room looking at my Christmas tree with all the presents underneath and wept.

I have the next two weeks off of work and I plan to devote a lot of that time to finding out what I can do to help. Such a huge, overwhelming need...and such an opportunity to make a difference.

 

[snoopy]

People have been talking about it all morning both here at work, and around my network of friends and family.

Unfortunately, I did not know the content of the show and missed it.

They are re-airing it on Monday at 4pm EST. I won't miss it a second time.

 

[airhead]

www.oprah.com

there's an address at this site for donations. I gotta do it....

 

[CajunDixie]

We have it so good in this country.

To me its sad that citizens of our country chose to ignore the children of the USA. Look in your own backyards at the children who are suffering. Sorry, but I chose to help the children in my own community. We have everything from children with AIDS to families that are staying in safe houses that have been abused by their own fathers to orphans that have no family. I remember years ago watching a talk show about all the older children in the USA that were waiting to be adopted. I've seen in my own community kids in foster care that nobody wants to adopt because they have mental or physical problems. I've been to a children's home where all the children have mental or physical problems that never get gifts or any attention other than what the nurses and employees give them because their families simply send the money to pay the bills but basically have disclaimed these children. I'll never forget the one child who visited our lake from this childrens home. He was one of the most sweet natured kids you could ever hope to meet. Physically he had no feet and had a heart condition. But his mind was very sharp. All the kids that day took a ride on a boat around the lake. A few of their counselors had cameras and one took a photo of the boat. That child taped that photo up in his room and talked constantly about our group and taking another boat ride. Sadly enough he passed away about 2 weeks before they were scheduled to visit us. The lady in charge of activities told me the news and about how much he had looked forward to returning. I still cry today when I think of him.....the biggest thing he had to look forward to was a simple ride around a lake.

 

[airhead]

none compare to what these children in Africa endure. Our saddest case in the US pale in comparison.

 

[TerriP]

Originally posted by CajunDixie
To me its sad that citizens of our country chose to ignore the children of the USA. We have everything from children with AIDS to families that are staying in safe houses that have been abused by their own fathers to orphans that have no family. I remember years ago watching a talk show about all the older children in the USA that were waiting to be adopted. I've seen in my own community kids in foster care that nobody wants to adopt because they have mental or physical problems. I've been to a children's home where all the children have mental or physical problems that never get gifts or any attention other than what the nurses and employees give them because their families simply send the money to pay the bills but basically have disclaimed these children.

Your story of the little boy broke my heart....may he rest in Peace.

Now, you start your post with a pretty big assumption. How do you know none of us are helping American children as well? Where do you get your information that we are "ignoring" them? You have no idea whether I have ever lifted a finger to help a fellow American or if I spend every weekend volunteering at a rape center/soup kitchen/group home. Pretty big assumption to make about people you don't know.

Secondly, the children you describe in your examples are definitely deserving of assistance...ALL children are. But did you notice in your examples you cite foster care, children's hospitals, and homes for mentally/physically challenged children? There are FEW of these in Africa. If your parent dies, no matter your age, you are alone....I mean *alone*. Children aged ten are the only providers for siblings younger than them. They live in huts with no food, no heat, no ROOF! They don't have foster care, they don't have adoption agencies trying to place them. They are on their own...and most of them are HIV/Aids victims, born with this disease.

I'm curious, did you watch the show? Have you done any research into this crisis?

I'm sorry that I'm coming off so strong. I get very upset when judged. Especially when you know nothing about the people you judge. I also can't comprehend criticizing someone for helping another human being.

 

[hentob]

ALL children in the USA have access to food. If a child starves to death in the USA, I would imagine it would be at the hands of a caregiver. There is WIC for children up to 5 y/o. I am assuming every school aged child has an opportunity for free lunch at public schools.

Health Care--ACCESS gives free healthcare to the poor.

Food Stamps (or the ACCESS card now) feed adults and children alike.

Then there are multiple food banks, church organizations, etc.

You may see many Christmas requests from "needy" children in this country asking for Play Stations, televisions, DVD players, etc.

Believe me, a woman in the USA suffering from AIDS would not lay in a filthy hospital bed...only to be treated for intestinal problems.


I know many people who are on welfare, WIC, ACCESS and other government programs for the "poor" that somehow can afford to buy a $40 carton of smokes.

Nope--We have NO idea what it truly means to be poor in this country.

Hentob

 

[tmq2766]

Thumbs up to both TerriP and also to CajunDixie. I can see both points and I do not think that CajunDixie was specifically talking about an individual helping out but America as a whole.

I have not stopped thing about that show since it got over.

For a child to get that excited about clothes is just SAD.

 

[TerriP]

Originally posted by hentob

Nope--We have NO idea what it truly means to be poor in this country.

Hentob

I wanted a little smilie face clapping, but I couldn't find one. Great post, Hentob!!

 

[lisajl]

My son's Boy Scout troop helped out our local charity by donating new toys. We then went down to our local fairgrounds where there were a lot of other volunteers giving things, including food, wrapping gifts, etc.

I think we can help everyone, not just here in the U.S. but Africa and anywhere else it is needed.

We are very blessed.

BTW, there are some children here in the U.S. that know what it is like to be poor....I was one of them....no doctor appts because my folks couldn't afford it. No dentist, rented a nasty rat infested house, barely enough food to live on, an outhouse....shall I go on....

The one thing I can tell you is that our parents loved us. That is worth more than anything else you could have given me.

 

[hentob]

{{{{HUGS}}}} So sorry to hear about your childhood :-( I am happy that loved prevailed...That is what is all about.

Thank goodness times have changed! Healthcare is now available to all children in the USA. Whether it is by ACCESS, free clinics or emergency rooms (cannot turn a child, or an adult away). Dental care has come far as well, although I am not familar with dental care programs for American children (anyone?).


Also, if you were a child now, you would have access to WIC, a government food assistance program.

I know this doesn't help you now, but hopefully you can take comfort that children in today's society have many opportunities that you did not. What happened to you as a child should not happen to future generations.

I am glad you are ok today.....
Hentob

 

[lisajl]

Thanks...I think my folks were too proud to ask for help. There was probably some government assistance in the 60's, but when you are a kid, you just live. You don't go ask people for help.

While I know children in other countries are very poor, no school, no decent food, shelter, etc. There is enough love, money and people to help everyone.

I think it is wonderful that so many of you sponsor children. What a fantastic thing to do. We are going with friends down to a shelter on Christmas Day to help make and serve the dinner.

While we can help people...any people...we should.

 

[BWVDenise]

One of the 1st things I did this morning was to make a donation to Oprah's Angel Network. I already sponsor a baby in Korea, but if I can find a reputable organization to sponsor a child in Africa, I may be doing that as well. The need in Africa is just overwhelming. Oprah has been my hero for a long time, and seeing that last night just set it in stone for me. That is one woman who really cares about people. I recorded the program and plan to watch it with my children. They need to know that what we have isn't the way of life for everyone.

 

[airhead]

I'm pretty sure the show is on tomorrow . I think instead of Oprah's regular show. I feel compelled to watch again even though it made me very sad.