I know I have almost flogged my gift store to death but I feel the need to give it one more push. I’m going to put on my power suit and tell you the importance of giving money. But don’t worry it has nothing to do with a building fund for a new church centre with 6 million seats.

In terms of social justice issues and our response to those issues I think Advocacy is the most powerful thing we can do here in Australia, We live in a county where we hold the power and we have the right to hold our descision mkaers accountable to what we believe and think is the right use of our resources. So it is important the we exercise this power by writting letters, visiting pollies,  creating artworks that convey stories of the opressed for all to see. We also need to keep educating our peers on social justice issues ensuring we all know the truths so we can better respond and act.

Money is also important and lets face it, we have a lot of it. Even me a poor worker living off donations from old ladies and a 2 day a week paying job. I’m rich. You are rich!

We need to use our money wisely, I dont think we are goig to get struck down for buying a bottle of coke and a dvd. But it’s not right for us to hoard posessions and luxuries while 1 billion people struggle to get enough money for a once a day bowl of rice. I really belive the TEAR gift catalogue is an awesome alternative to buying usless gifts for people who dont need anything new. It’s quite a shift. Even me the well rounded amazing person that i am I still feel ripped off when i just get TEAR cards for christmas. It’s a hump we all need to get over, I need to get out my head of the space that makes it think it needs everything and that if i dont get a shiny present it’s a crap christmas. It’s all part of of our western over indulgent society.

Anyway this big ecenomic crisis is hitting everyone hard, you would think it wouldnt really affect poor people in the middle of Africa. Well it does. Most aid money is tied up in US dollars so as the exchange rate is pretty crap if we keep giving atthe current rate those who recive the benifits of our giving will recieve less. We need to up the giving a bit to compensate so that those who need aid are receiving it.

Maybe it’s time to reconsider your present list and drop by Howie’s Ye Olde Shoppe of Global Goodness

My goal was to raise $20,000. I know it’s a lot but boy oh boy it could make a difference.