Open letter from Max White
Friends,
In March I visited an orphanage and school in East Timor established by Sister Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz. The visit was one of the most moving, challenging moments of my life, and the most significant part of my time in Southeast Asia.
I am writing to offer you the opportunity to help the children and young people Sister Lourdes serves through her institution, "Brothers and Sisters in Christ." "Serve" she does - a letter from an Australian Catholic worker includes the sentence, "At times Lourdes has had to beg in the streets in order to feed her people."
You probably already know that the situation in East Timor is worsening. With the collapse of the Indonesian economy and the unstable political situation there, the already desperately poor people of East Timor are suffering hunger and even starvation. They cannot wait -- read the paper about what's going on in Indonesia. They need direct and immediate relief, they need your help right now.
Attached you will find:
- A description of Lourdes' work,
- An article from the international Catholic publication The Tablet, describing a prize awarded Lourdes and another East Timorese for their selfless work, and
- A list of one-time and ongoing needs of the schools, and of practical projects we plan to accomplish.
How you can help
The East Timor Relief and Research Project in San Francisco, a project of Global Exchange, has agreed to collect tax-deductible contributions.
Simply send a check payable to: "Global Exchange." In the "memo" field of your check, or in a note, write "E. T. Relief-Lourdes." Mail your check in the enclosed envelope addressed to:
East Timor Relief and Research Project
PO Box 420832
San Francisco CA 94142
Only 7 per cent of your contribution will go to administration. You will receive a receipt and periodically I receive an accounting of contributions. I am paying for this mailing. Global Exchange and the East Timor Relief and Resource Center handle administration costs. Again, 93 cents of every dollar you contribute will be delivered to Lourdes.
The East Timor Relief and Research Project was founded by Ben Terrall, a journalist and human rights activist specializing in East Timor issues. My first trip to Indonesia was with an international delegation sponsored by Global Exchange, a terrific human rights organization based in San Francisco. (http://globalexchange.org/)
If you know of a church or other organization which might be interested in helping, please contact me. Visit our web site at http://ease.com/-lourdes to see photos of the schools and to keep updated on the project.
Sister Lourdes and I thank you for any help you offer to these desperately vulnerable children.
Respectfully,
Max White
9275 SW Westhaven St.
Portland OR 97225
503-297-8364
503-203-8150 (fax)
maxw@rain.com
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