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Strategies & Market Trends : 2026 TeoTwawKi ... 2032 Darkest Interregnum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TobagoJack who wrote (34796)	5/16/2008 12:02:25 AM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 219085

Dear all, Many of you who received the e-mail have asked whether I would vouch for Charles Foundation charlesfoundation.org Charles Foundation was the first project for RICE (Return Invested on Children and Education), the official charity for the hedge fund managers in Asia pacific. My trusted friends went to Sichuan mountain areas and visited a few schools about 2 years ago and met Jo and her daughter and a lot of local officials. Friends “adopted” Meg and Molly. My friends have been sending clothes and stationery and used computers. Best, Jay E-mail From: josephine charles [mailto:jofengniao@yahoo.co.uk] Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 4:04 PM Subject: Earthquake! A Big Hello To Everyone. I am back on line at last. As you can imagine, communication has been a little erratic these past few days. I wrote a long letter this morning and lost it through a power cut, this time am doing it in tiny steps with constant saving! Thank you so very much for your concern for the safety of all of us here in the Liangshan. Yes, we are safe and well, if somewhat shaken, and our schools are still standing strong and solid. We are about 200 Ks from the epicentre of the earthquake so were spared the dreadful events that occurred at Wenchuan and Beichuan villages. Thankfully, no major damage has been reported in our area even although some of the older buildings have cracked under the strain. There have been several nasty aftershocks with more expected within the next few days. Shaken and stirred are the dominant emotions for all of us at the moment but when I look at the images coming from the disaster area I feel extremely distressed to see all those poor people who are suffering. Sitting here drinking many cups of tea and having a big think about what best to do, I have reached the conclusion that we MUST help those poor souls, the best way we can. I would therefore like to ask each and every one of you, and anyone who would like to support our endeavour, to help us help those in need. The Foundation may be small but we are efficient, and together we can move mountains! The time will come within the next few months when the communities of Wenchuan, Beichuan and surrounding villages will need assistance to rebuild their lives. We are one of the very few NGO's on the ground here in Sichuan who have the ability to help at grass roots level. During this time, the large NGO's and Governments will enter the stricken area to rescue trapped people and slowly begin to rebuild the the infrastructure of the main towns. Small towns and villages will be lower on the list of priorities. There will become a time when an assessment is made to what is needed, how many central schools to be built and communities assisted. This is when we can be of use. Here is why we can be of use. We are a local NGO with local knowledge, close at hand. Have excellent relationships with government departments in Sichuan Have an excellent track record of getting things done, quickly and efficiently All funds go to where they are needed and controlled directly by the Foundation All funds are accountable to the donors Here is how we can be of use. Rebuild smaller central schools Get food, clothing and essential necessities to those who need them Assist widows, orphans and exceptionally disadvantaged children Identify problems in the field and deal with them immediately Although it is too early to be of any direct assistance, I have begun to investigate when and where are the most suitable places to direct our aid when the time comes. Together we can make a difference, so please help if you can. We'll gather as much money as we can to help those who need it the most! Big Hugs from the great cool shaky mountains. Josephine Charles Founder and CEO, Charles Foundation www.charlesfoundation.org

To: TobagoJack who wrote (34796)	5/16/2008 12:33:45 AM
From: Moominoid	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 219085

Do you know this woman? My wife was interested in donating, but my thoughts were right now giving money here in Aus is not going to help anyone on the ground in Sichuan. By contrast, Burma needs it but the government is obstructing aid. But this kind of thing might be worthy of donating to, if they really do what they say?

To: TobagoJack who wrote (34796)	5/16/2008 7:05:35 AM
From: carranza2	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 219085

Thanks for pointing us in the direction of a reliable NGO. Having lived through the aftermath of Katrina, I know how important effective help is and how demoralizing a stupid response can be. They will be getting my donation. The earthquake at first seemed in the media not to be as big a catastrophe as it seems to be, though at 7.9 I wondered whether we were getting the full picture. That is a very big number. I'll take a hurricane any day, we can at least see them coming.