WE NEED TOYS!!!

Round Table in Malawi is currently attempting to launch a Toy Project.  We are appealing to any Tablers around the world to collect second hand non-battery operated toys which will be donated to orphans and orphanages around Malawi.  For those of you who are not aware Malawi currently has approximately 700 000 orphans and this figure is expected to rise to 1 000 000 orphans by 2010.  This in a country where our total population is 12 500 000. 

5.6% of our current population in Malawi are ORPAHANS!!!!!!!!

The main reason for this shocking statistic is the rapid and deadly spread of the AIDS pandemic throughout Malawi and the rest of Africa.

For more information please go to:

http://www.aegis.com/news/afp/2004/AF0410A6.html

We are looking for large amounts of Toys and are more than prepared to assist in the logistics of getting the toys to Malawi from Europe for example.  Our proposal would be if a Table can coordinate with other Tables in their area to collect as many toys as possible, we can then have the toys shipped to Malawi at a minimal cost thanks to the kind donation from Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) who will cover shipping costs.  We have also organized for free road shipping from Transcom a local Transporter.

To all you Tables and Tablers out there we urge you to make the effort to assist us in making a difference no matter how big or small.

Do You Not See Me? An orphan’s poem:

Do you not see me?
I stand before you
On the world stage
But, you prefer to watch
Some "reality" show on TV..

Do you not see me?
My father is dead.
Mother's shell laying emaciated,
Her mind gone, too,
To AIDS and malnutrition.

Do you not see me?
Your babies are healthy and you have no cares.
All the material wants, you have.
Do you think an ill wind cannot blow it all away?
Then will you stand beside me and ask why no one cares?

Do you not see me?
Why don't you help? Because I am not yours?
What you see; the color of my skin, the squalor in which I live,
My abject poverty, are all representations of this transient world.
Look INSIDE and tell me what part of me, is not a part of you.

Do you not see me?
My soul is here to awaken yours.
Grasp the oneness of this world
Before we slip away and the chance is lost.
Do not let my existence be in vain!

Please help in any shape or form…

If you are able to help in any way, please contact Sergio Pinto:

Email:               Sergio@skyband.mw

Tel:                   + (265) 9 962 501

                        + (265) 1 756 558 / 9