Russia Aids Kosovo Refugees, West Remains Out of Touch

BALKANALYSIS ^ | March 25 , 2004 | CDeliso

[MarMema]

I would think donating money is more cost efective.

It is. But getting cards and personal things from Americans is very nice for the Serbs. Fr. Aleksandr told me it meant a great deal to them. He said they asked him often in the camps what Americans thought about them.

[MarMema]

Russia would have to be the one who does this, the US can't for the obvious reason that we are at war and already spread thin.

Russia is at war also and may be spread thin. It is hard to fight the islamonazi plague everywhere at once.

[wonders]

A shoe box has in it a postcard from your location with a brief note of support. Add a bar of soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, a dried fruit bar or other easy to ship candy item, socks, a bag of peanuts, a washcloth perhaps, a small toy for a child....you can get really creative with this and they are inexpensive and easy to mail.

I'm glad you sent socks, MarMema. Seriously. I decided long ago that if I ever win the lottery or something, I'll found a charity to provide socks and underwear to refugees. It's what they really need, and no one ever sends any! I actually made underwear of sorts for refugees once out of felt which had been donated for school classrooms. Well, there were no school classrooms functioning, and these poor refugees desperately needed underwear -- especially something to wear while their own undies were being washed and dried. I didn't have anything to make socks out of :(

Hygiene items are also good to send. I was so happy when the Spanish sent us hygiene packs with soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, small washcloth, small towel, disposable razor, and feminine hygiene products (you know -- and the grannies used them as "Depends"). These items are also often overlooked in donations for refugees. You get food and clothing, but no socks, underwear or hygiene items.

Soap is really important. They can use it not only to wash their bodies, but also their hair and clothes and the men can use it for shaving.

Thanks for the address! I'll go make some boxes now...

[MarMema]

You reminded me! Shampoo. Protein bars. We sent those too. And we did send underwear but I wasn't going to post it. :-)

I am going to liturgy soon here and will talk to our priest about this. I sure would like to see some steam come rolling in on this idea....Thanks for sending shoeboxes!

We'll make some in our family too and send them. My four kids are experienced at this.:-)

[Lion in Winter]

Thank you for the information. OK then, I will send a check or money order to the Priest that Marmema spoke about.

[CrucifiedTruth]

MM, thanks for the ping. Good Idea about diverting your partisan budget to Serbia - with a loud explanation...

One more note: The real purpose of Kosovo is to serve as "hot button" for global destabilization. The US gov controls it. The politicians of both parties are complicit along with their media masters. More grassroots noise helps. Even if you don't send to the Serbs, don't give any political donations to the major parties until the US troops are withdrawn from Kosovo (loudly explained). Make no mistake, the "hot button" politics is entirely responsible for 9/11 and has the potential to destroy the US Independence too.

[Lion in Winter]

I think we need a little more info before sending donations. I do not know the ins and outs of which Orthodox Charity is doing what, but I really want to make sure the donation gets to the Serbians who live in Kosovo.

The info from Marmema may be dated. So, if somebody who knows the Church organizations,etc. could provide us with some up to date information, I would certainly enjoy making a donation in memory of a loved one.

Thanx for any help you may provide.

[Lion in Winter]

al querda is responsible for 9/11. Not the US govt.

[MarMema]

I asked my priest to look into it this morning. He is talking with the priest at the local Serbian church regularly, he said, and he will ask. Then I will post any info I come up with.

[MarMema]

See my last post and hold off for now. :-)

[wonders]

Will do. I'd ask at my local Orthodox Church, but they're all Greek.

[CrucifiedTruth]

al querda is responsible for 9/11

You mean Clinton did everything right?

[MarMema]

I also sent this email to the person listed for questions at the SANE site, and will post any replies I get.

Dear Zoran,

Greetings in Christ!

Please inform me if you can of an address to which can be sent monetary assistance for the Serbian people who have lost everything they were forced to leave behind.

Also please let me know if there is a way I can send monetary assistance to the monks of Devic for the restoration work they are planning.

Does SANE have a fund set aside yet for the refugees from the last attacks?

Finally can you tell me if anyone is planning to ship a container again to Kosovo? I would be interested in helping to fill it, if so.

Thank you,

Your sister in Christ,

-----------------------------------------------

Those Devic monks just blow me away. They were nearly killed and lost the entire monastery. They told the Germans, who did nothing to protect the monastery, that they want to return now, and will sleep in tents as they rebuild. I have to find a way to send them something. They are an inspiration.

[katnip]

Please let us know if packages for containers are wanted or where would be a good place to send money. I will put up a poster about it at my OCA church. We've been praying for our Serbian brothers and sisters, I'd like to see if we can do a little more.

[MarMema]

Thanks for the work you did and the discovery that the info I posted is from some time ago, apparently.

We'll get something here for those who want to help soon, between us. God willing!

[scoopscandal]

I'd like to be put on this list, please.

[Honorary Serb]

I do love the line above about expecting the KLA to become gardeners.

I don't think that Neanderthals have been know for horticulture or agriculture. Just meat-eating, cannibalism, and headhunting!!!!

Besides asking where the governments of the "humanitarian" nations of the "West" are in terms of giving aid, we need to ask where the "Western" mainline churches are. After all, all of them gave MASSIVE amounts of aid to Kosovo Shiptars, and to "rebuild Kosovo" (i.e., to build the unjust and unsustainable structures of an "indpendent" Shiptar-run "Kosova".) Those of us in American "mainline", evangelical Protestant, or Roman Catholic churches need to hold their leaders' (or mis-leaders') feet to the fire until the aid for the Serbs is forthcoming.

[Lion in Winter]

You!! ENOUGH OF YOU ALREADY AND WHAT YOU THINK!!

There are those of us who want to help THE VICTIMS... I am not interested in anything else you have to say... UNLESS IT IS THAT WILL BE SENDING MONEY $$$$$ TO Help us, HELP THOSE IN NEED IN KOSOVO!!!!

Got it, bub??? No time for you. BYE, BYE!!

[Lion in Winter]

Great letter!!

I will out of town for a day or two. I will ck back with you her on FR.

Please keep us posted as to what to do about donations.

I will ask some friends this weekend for some help too.

[CrucifiedTruth]

...Assorted screams...

It looks like I've pushed a hot button...

...$$$$$...

Giving a man a fish is good. I'm not arguing that part. But if he doesn't learn the truth too - he'll become a common beggar.