News reports from Burma (Myanmar) indicate that cyclone Nargis has wreaked havoc on the country, especially in the fishing and farming areas in the south west coastal regions. Like many of you, we remember the hurricanes that gave such trouble to Jamaica over the past few years and wish to assist the victims, up to a million of whom are now homeless and in need of shelter and food and clean water. To assist in relief efforts, we provide this link to Avaaz.org. https://secure.avaaz.org/en/burma_cyclone/77.php

From their site: "Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas."

There are several videos available on the link. Click on "menu" in the video player.

We choose this organization since they send their money to the most effective social service in the country, the Buddhist monasteries that the people rely upon for support.

If you know of other organizations that you trust, please list them here.

Let's pull together and help our fellow humans who are suffering from this terrible natural disaster.

-TBNet

Is Avaaz able to get their supplies through? The news coming from the BBC is that the government isn't allowing any foreign aid agencies to enter the country.

Before you go sending donations (please be sure you do your research because your money may never go to use for the right things) Incase you do not know the Regime in that country controll every movement and not even the USA is granted a visa to get their humanitarian crew there as yet.They do not want any outsiders to come in "THEY KNOW WHY".

PLEASE GO TO CNN NEWS/THE NEW YORK TIMES/THE DAILY MAIL OF LONDON AND GATHER SOME INFORMATION>>>BEFORE SENDING MONEY TO ANYONE>

PLEASE PEOPLE GO TO "CNN.COM" AND READ BEFORE YOU DONATE.
I KNOW WE ALL WANT TO HELP>>>>>BUT READ FIRST.

I AGREE WITH CURIOUS.

The points raised in the two posts above are well taken. It is certainly important to know that donated funds will in fact reach those in need.

That is one reason we choose to highlight Avaaz.org. They work directly with trusted sources in the country, not the seemingly inept national government. To us, that means the chance of successful distribution of aid is far greater than with groups that are trying to negotiate with the government for access.

From their website:
The cyclone that ripped through Burma left tens of thousands dead and a million homeless--a natural disaster made much worse by the failure of the military junta to warn or evacuate its people.

Now, the government has slowed the urgent process of providing humanitarian relief--so Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.

In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.

-TBNet

I am so proud that everyone wants to help. That's what life is all about, helping each other.
BUT, we must be careful.

Need to know more go to....
http://uscampaignforburma.org

Hi Everyone,we just got back from Thailand I had the pleasure to go to the golden triangle we took a boat to Myanmar (Burma) and the Country OF Laos we spend a day in each of these countrys' the people are very warm and always have a smile on there face and greet you with open arms they are very kind hearted I have learn a lot from them how to appreciate every little thing that God have bless my husband and I with these people walk out of there house's that made of mud and thatch with such pride and a smile on there face and how much they appreciate the little that God bless them with. we will be going back next year with our friends to sponser some of the children to send them to school over there. I grew up in Treasure Beach and saw how poor some of us grew up. SO PLEASE GIVE WHAT EVER YOU CAN BECAUSE $1 or $2 BELIEVE ME IT CAN HELP HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE GOD BLESS

I mean Age of Conan, of course )