Because children around the world need a chance to survive

I know I am straying off topic this time, but this message urgently needs to get out. I thought who better to share it with than parents who would do anything to protect their children.

In East Africa there are parents who can do nothing to help their children. Due to the worst drought in 50 years, poverty, and rising food costs, more than a million people are facing starvation. The ones who suffer the most, the ones who need more food for growth and brain power, are the children.

Please consider donating to help humanitarian efforts bring relief to these children and their families. I support the group Save the Children, because children are our future, in this country and around the world. Save the Children not only works to create lasting change for the children they help, but they also support their families' efforts to help themselves. They are also top-rated by charity watchdogs, so I know my money is going straight to those who need it most.

A group working to bring emergency water supplies to East Africa (as well as look for more sustainable water sources) is Oxfam International. They are helping communities look for more sustainable sources of water by drilling boreholes, developing motorized water schemes and improving traditional water harvesting systems. In the worst affected areas they have been trucking in emergency water supplies. The water is treated and used for drinking, cooking, washing and keeping animals alive. Each person gets at least 5 liters of water per day, the bare minimum people need. Community health workers also conduct public campaigns to help stop the spread of water-borne diseases.

UNICEF is another group that focuses on helping children. They have been operating across Somalia since the 70s. They are working on health interventions and vaccinations for those who are more susceptible to disease because of hunger and malnutrition.

Samaritan's Purse is also helping by distributing food staples to the area.

Please consider giving to any one of these groups (or others you support) to help provide relief to the starving families in East Africa. Think of the parents who love their children and want to be able to help them, but can't. None of us wants to ever be in that situation. We can help those parents help their children.