We must try to help those in desperate need

The TV images of women and babies fleeing conflict and war in the hills and fields surrounding Myanmar is heartbreaking. These people are suffering from starvation and some are dying as they try to escape to safety.

Only recently the federal government matched donations to those of persons giving to registered charities to support the Myanmar crisis, and anytime the federal government matches funding to anywhere in the world, the situation is always serious and needs immediate attention.

I recently wrote the prime minister requesting an extension for the matching donations deadline, and I’m still waiting for a reply.

I also realize how fortunate we are in Canada that we don’t have to suffer any of the atrocities the suffering people fleeing Myanmar have to endure.

To show love and compassion we need to outreach to them through registered charities. The Lord tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves, to use our talents for the greater good and to give generously so these suffering people can get the help they desperately need.

People who give to registered charities need to prioritize as to where the charity will serve the most good. Their are some people who tell me charity begins at home and we need to focus on our own needs first.

Here in Canada and the U.S., we produce two-thirds of the world’s wealth and have onethird the population, besides we have social systems set up to care for our poor.

The corporate works of mercy (feed the poor, clothe the naked, care for the sick, etc.) should trump any other priority we may have, because we need to be assured we are on the road the Lord wants us to travel in this life.

David Jones Mount Pearl