We’ve been receiving calls and emails all day in response to our segments on Malawi. Thank you for your generous support of K.I.N.D.: Kids in Need of Desks. Our joint program with UNICEF aims to improve schools in Malawi through the donation of desks. We hope to create a better learning environment for these young children in need. It’s a cause very important to Lawrence, the show and all of MSNBC.
Each desks costs $48, and they seat two children. Every little bit makes a difference. To learn more about K.I.N.D. and ways you can donate a desk to a child, visit LastWordDesks.msnbc.com or unicefusa.org/kind. Or, you can make contributions over the phone by calling 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
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I've been on my soap box about this lately. WHY? I know there are hungry, neglected kids in my home town. Everytime I see celebrities and politicians in a foreign country "doing good deeds", I think, why aren't they as worried about kids, the elderly, the homeless, the unemployed, and the hunger in the US?
Dave please read up. In 2009 Americans donated a little over 290 BILLION (not a typo...BILLION) dollars to charities that helped mostly Americans.
I think you need to start your own donation organization for this awesome giving, loving country "USA".. And then there willn't be anything wrong with this country in your eyes. Also, call your Rep and make sure they pass the 911 bill.
Wow! My thoughts exactly. Schools in the U.S. are hurting so badly. Why don't the rich and famous care about the U.S. children???? Please tell me why...
You know your are right...And Right again.
I drive across country and see Churches with runways vast parking lots, and towering spears, money donated by some one with our IRS tax dollars deducted. I always hear people are helping people through churches etc, and look at cities with different countries bounded inside. People so poor, they are worst than a 3rd world country, in that, they don't nor cannot own any property, the schools don't teach, the police live from government grants to keep them in prisons of the different types, no social changes are taught, It is profitable to continue the same. By the way, this is not just racial, it is across our nation. The camphain motto "I'll Cut Spending" will and is destroying the very fabric of our american dream... got to go.. got to buy a desk.
Dave & others,
"America" is not a country. It is a hemisphere.
I bet you've never been overseas. I have. Be thankful you are an American. The water you drink will not make you sick. You can buy food in a store. There are no dead bodies in the streets.
We donate 1% of our budget for foreign aid. 40% goes for defense. I have worked in DoD. There is a lot of waste.
Sweden donates 3%, so do most Europeans. They have better medical care for all than we do.
As long as we have idiots in this country, and mostly Republican, look up Newt recently, that think the unemployed deserve where they are (he is nothing but a snake oil salesman, he sends out letters and get money by mail - sounds like mail fraud to me).
I bet you had a desk in school. I did.I never saw a school in the US who didn't have one. Bet you had windows too. And a door. These kids don't. So don't tell me about how we need to take care of us first. I bet these kids appreciate school a heck of a lot more than most on this list.
How many of you are Christains? How many of you are believers? Ok. can you defind the word Christain? If your answer is " Christ Like " You are absolutely correct. Compassion is righteousness, so is love. Thank you for sharing your "Christ Like Moments." Each one reach one, Each one teach one.
Anyone who's says anything negative about giving outside of the US has never been overseas. When I was in the Navy I quickly realized how lucky even we are, even our poor. I would gladly open my house up to a US Citizen or a neighbor that asked for my help. I can't do this for the millions of people that have it a hundred times worse than our poorest people in the US.
We are so rich that we forget how lucky we are and as a nation we need to give to people that need our help. You never know when we might need their help and we shoudn't care, don't criticize those who help others no matter where they are from. We all need to help everyone we can no matter who they are or we they live.
One day we might need them to help our poor but right now we can help ours if we want but too many people think that giving is welfare, well I will do my best to do what is best for my own and anyone else that I can. If that is bad than I am bad for caring.
There is nothing stopping any of you from helping out people in your own community, except you might have to get down from your soap box.
You know - it's true that our local schools and non-profits are suffering. And it's easy to say "why not help locally instead of internationally?" To me the answer is simple. Do both. My $25 or $100 to the local food bank or homeless shelter is a wonderful gift. But that same $25 or $100 to something like this is an AWESOME gift. The $$ go further. The need is greater. The impact is profound. Those of us who can really should help in both places.
You don't have "guts," you just have terribly misdirected anger and frustration. The U.S. is a great and bountiful country and we are still capable of making it our business to take care of our own. Instead, our congressional representatives have catered to policies that have disproportionately benefited the wealthy at the expense of the middle and lower classes. We've allowed our representative democracy to be excessively influenced by the monied classes, and our elected representatives to hypocritically espouse democratic terminology, but ensure real power and advantage remains with the elite oligarchy. Don't try to convince us that worthy causes all over the world should be ignored while too many U.S. citizens continue to choose to be apathetic, ignorant of the facts, and cajoled into voting against their own self-interests. It is in our own best interest as a democratic country to help others become better educated and improve themselves, their countries, and the world as a whole. The U.S. used to be able to accomplish all of these worthy goals for our own citizens and still lend a hand to the international community.
Great work Lawrence! I don't usually donate but I did this time. Didn't get the desk but got the chair. Probably get a desk or two once I get my bonus. To all those who wring their hands about celebs doing work in other countries then I ask you this one question.
Why do you continue to buy foreign oil? Every day or week you donate to Saudi, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Afghanistan, Brazil and etc etc etc. While they enjoy 90 cents a gallon in gas we are saddled with 3 dollars a gallon in gas. Instead of complaining about donating try making a real difference.
So quit donating to foreign oil and start walking or biking to work. Try checking the air pressure on your tires once a week. Instead of a cool 78 degrees in your home, try 79 degrees. Until you do that then don't worry about what celebs do with their time.
Thanks Sam for turning on the light. Now the only thing they have to do is open their eyes.
thank you, sam, for your comments. thank you so much.
Lawrence,
I applaud you program to help the children in Malawi to obtain desks to aid in their learning.
I am a member of the Rotary Club of Polson, a small club in rural Montana and the instigator of a Rotary International Matching Grant program (MG 69597) to provide Solar Powered LED Lanterns for distribution to villages in India, where, like Malawi, there is little or no access to electricity.
Our MG project was a collaboration between Rotary Clubs in the US, in India, and the social enterprise d.light design. This combination has greatly impacted lives in India and around the world.
Our project provided Solar Powered LED Lanterns to villages in the most impoverished part of India, Uttar Provence. Without access to grid electricity, households in this area must rely on polluting and dangerous kerosene-filled lanterns for light. This dim and ineffective source of light contributes to keeping families in poverty, as it limits their daily productivity and education opportunities.
As a result of our joint efforts, over 700 families across three villages now own bright, reliable, solar-powered lanterns. Their lives are completely changed. We hope for the opportunity to share our successful partnership and the inspiring change that it has sparked.
I think you can add to your "desk" by giving the Malawi children a means to increase their educational opportunities by empowering them bring their studies home to Bright, Safe, Reliable Light at home. In addition to enhancing opportunities for children the lanterns used by their parents allow them to enhance their earning capacity by working at night.
Lawrence, please consider adding to your "Desk" program yet another life changing program to your UNICEF program by adding Bright, Safe, Reliable Light. This can be provided with as little as $10 to $25 per light.
Thank you for your consideration. I would be happy to provide any additional information you require. I look forward to hearing from you.
I, too, applaud your program to help the children in Malawi get desks to transform their learning. You made a passionate plea that touched everyone I know. I am donating enough for one desk and have asked all of my friends to do the same.
As you said, even one desk will make a huge difference to the children's lives.
Thank you.
Dear Mr. O'donnell,
While it's obvious you are doing a good deed, I believe that the design of the desk and chair needs help. It has no back to lean on for support. On your report on tv, the kids stay in school I believe for 7 hours. Imagine the strain its going to have on their backs.
I hope you get this message.
thanks,
Marisol
Just a brief note to register my support for you and your program. I look forward to watching it (and being informed). You provide intelligence, wit, open-dialogue and a wonderful sense of humor--totally contrary to Fox.
Thanks for your good work,
William P. Anderson
Professor Emeritus, Religious Studies
The University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio
Yes, terrific show Lawrence, your show is outstanding. Thanks for speaking out.
Jane Slater, Ashland, OR
Great cause. Would be even greater if there was a link to donate online on this page.
Sumdumguy
Lawrence,
I have always admired you and considered you an intelligent, gentle and kind human being. The ultimate spoke and gentleman. Your coverage of kids needing desks in African schools was informative and so moving. My donation is being made right now.
Keep informing us on situations that really matter, so we can appropriately put our money where our hearts are.
Thank you,
Alise Moss Vetica, Sparks, NV
My wife and I decided not to give each other Christmas gifts this year. I know that she already has bought me 2 small gifts. She doesn't like me picking out her clothes, jewelry, furniture (ours) rugs, paint, you know the picture.
My gift this year will be the $48 for a desk for needy kids.
I can't think of a better and more thoughtful gift for her, me, and the children.
Thank you Lawrence and Merry Christmas.
Instead of griping about people who choose to help children in Africa, how about supporting programs to help the American poor and the taxation that would help pay for them? African children are no less deserving of help than American children, and, as fellow human beings, their problems are no less your responsibility than those in your own country. Where they live makes no difference--other than the fact that even the worst public schools in the US don't have children sitting on concrete floors for seven hours a day.
I am going to have my 9 year old daughter help me donate enough for one desk. Giving is what makes this country different then any other country in this world. My love to U.S.A..
Dave,
I understand that we need to take care of our own but does that mean we can't help out in a good cause like the desk for another country? I will bet that you are like me, we probably by accident waist 24.00, why not send some of that for a desk and take the other 24.00 we waist and spend it on our folks...please get off of yur reteric unless you are willing to step up and match my pleadge...
Susan Adams
Told my wife that what I wanted for Christmas was to spend the money she would have spent on me to buy desks. She thought that was as cool as I did, and so did my 10 year old boy. I love my Christmas present. Thanks for the suggestion, Lawrence.
We can and should help the impoverished in the US as well as in other countries. There is enough to go around if each of us would share, time as well as dollars..
Please do.
I had the good fortune to have Peter Mutharika, current Minister of Justice in Malawi, as a professor in law school. He was a kind, thoughtful man, devoted to the education of his children and the betterment of his country. In his honor, we will be purchasing desks this holiday season.
Lawrence -
As one who has worked in Malawi - even been to one of the schools in your report - I give you, and K.I.N.D., my whole hearted support. Finding a way to help as a single citizen of the world is practically impossible. The red tape and roadblocks set up by such entities as the postal service, even humanitarian groups, prevent a few folks from doing some "serious" help. Thank you for using your clout to get this moving.
Your idea is so needed for Malawi's youth and for it's future. The need to move the youth of that wonderful, beautiful, giving and sharing country into the 21st century cannot be understated. Education is the key. When I asked if they could use a computer they said "oh, yes, they would love one" but they have no electricity! You hit the nail on the head with the desks. And you gave work to others in the community who want to work- they don't want a hand-out - so they can help their own families and communities to prosper.
Why should we help those in other parts of the world when we have suffering people in the USA? Why, of course, we should try to help them all, because we, and they, are all citizens of this WORLD. BIgger than just one country - WE ALL are the WORLD! If we can use those desks to teach today's young people (through giving them or using them) that they are part of something much bigger than themselves then we can, we will, change the WORLD and all mankind/womankind will be better for it!
Happy to help these children and our children here (and we do!)
All the world's children are our future and knowledge is power to lift
people out of poverty! Merry Christmas and bless the children!
Thank you Lawrence O'Donnell for giving me this idea of where to make a difference with some of my Christmas money. My husband and I have long complained that we don't need anything...we truly don't...so now a desk can be sent to Malawi in his name and I know he will be delighted not to have to pretend to be excited about another sweater.
To those who think that only charities THEY deem worthy are suitable for help, I ask them to simply give however and wherever they choose. If everyone did just a little bit the world would be a better place and we all know how good it feels to give help to another. In addition to several American based charities my husband and I donate to the ASPCA....and I hear all the time why I should give MY money to people instead of animals. Let those of us who want to give something do it the way we want without the comments please.
This just feels right. I gave $48 for a desk without a second thought. It's absolutely the best gift I'll give this year. In honor of my kids, and with thanks to you, Lawrence. And sending Ann Coulter an ecard asking her to STFU for 2011 felt almost as good!
I had to donate after seeing your appeal. Many years ago I was a Peace Corps high school teacher in the jungles of Thailand and taught in a school that also had dirt floors and no electricity, but EVERY student had a DESK, much like for your project! Good work, Lawrence, and best wishes to you and fellow donors for a great holiday season.
Lawrence:
We are donating to your K.I.N.D program. This is the "perfect" bridge back to 1964 and to teams of dedicated peace corps volunteers who gave of themselves building schools for the children and houses for the teachers in Gabon, Africa.
Forty-six (46) years ago, my husband was a member of Gabon III, the last team of Gabon I, II, and III to spend years in Africa helping those who were less fortunate.
Our family decided against gift giving this year, suggesting we all look for charities that call our name. This one called Rodney's name.
We are not rich. Yet, we are blessed. We will also donate/help locally, regionally, and nationally. You can do more than one!
Thanks Lawrence. We watch every night and this was one cause we couldn't let go by without making a contribution.
THANK YOU!!!!
Dear Mr. O'Donnell
Thank you for your earnest report and heartfelt actions in Malawi. They were truly inspiring and deeply humane.
Clearly I am not surprised or conflicted by you being called "the ugly face of liberalism"; however, nothing could be farther from the truth. I found you and your show rational and level headed in your assessments, yet very caring and human in your emotions and passions. Moreover, the credit goes to you for using your influence to raise awareness on so many fronts.
May you have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and progressive New Year!
Claudio Gonzalez, Miami Shores FL
Lawrence,
Since this has worked so well, how about finding "a cause" on maybe a monthly or a quarterly basis for example that is frequently unknown or overlooked, bringing it to the attention of your viewers, and let's start fundraising!! This is wonderful!! Thank you!! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Stephanie