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The Citizen, 2006-11-30, Page 6South West LOCAL HEALTH INTEGRATION NETWORK Thanks for working together for better health More than 3,500 people across the South West participated in our community engagement process to define the strategic priorities for the South West LHIN. Your ideas have been incorporated and our first Integrated Health Service Plan is complete. It's a bold and exciting vision for the future of health care, tailored to the unique needs of the South West. We couldn't have done it without you and we look forward to continuing our work together to create a stronger health care system in our local area. To see the Plan you helped to create, please visit www.southwestlhin.ca or call 1-866-294-5446 for your copy. THIS WINTER SAVE MONEY AND ENERGY by taking advantage of 3 hot deals from Ontario's Conservation Bureau. sAvEz$675:" PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006. Letter to the editor Local family accepting donations for Africa THE EDITOR, Imagine a school Christmas party where the children are sad to have a holiday, a party where every scrap of food is eaten and nothing is wasted, where th treat bags are not immediately opened and the candy consumed, a party where even the smallest child can't wait to get home to share what they have with their families. Such will be the Christmas party at Kondwa Pre-school in N'gombe Compound, Lusaka, Zambia. The children are sad to have no dependable food source for two weeks, yet delighted to take home their treasures- cookies, candy and other more mundane food for it will mean a happy home that night. The Christmas treats for the Kondwa party are funded through the generous donations of folks in Huron County. These orphans and -vulnerable children have enjoyed the kindness of Canadians during this past year. School furniture, renovations to classrooms, teaching supplies, meals, medications, warm blankets, Continued from page 4 the penalty for our sins, and then He rose again from the grave. He did this so that by believing in Him we humans may live for eternity with God. He's our one and only way into heaven; our salvation. Now that's worth celebrating. Whether you believe that part or not, it's still the reason we have Christmas. Now, let us examine our celebrations, specifically the tradition of giving. I'm the sort of person who questions the reasons for doing things. To say, "That's what we've always done" just doesn't cut it with the. So why do we give gifts at cuddly teddy bears and very necessary items of clothing have been received with happy smiles and joyful hearts. One hundred and forty children were sent to elementary school with shiny shoes, school uniforms and backpacks filled with paper, pencils and books. At Flying Angels School the pupils have enjoyed the use of six new toilets where only two existed before. A dormitory room for sixteen orphans is being completed with bunk beds, mattresses and bed clothes. It has certainly been a wonderful year for the children and the graduates of the Kondwa Centre. Dec. 1 is International AIDS Day. When we look at the overwhelming statistics on this creeping monster which seems to be devouring our poor and disadvantaged "cousins", we can feel overwhelmed and paralyzed with frustration. In Zambia alone, there are more than a million orphaned children, many of whom are living in child-headed households. It is difficult to begin to do something when the "Monster" keeps creeping Christmas?— Apart from- showing others we care, there are two reasons: We follow the example of the Magi, who brought gifts to the child Jesus, in recognition that He was greater than any earthly king. and we remember that, because of His ultimate purpose of salvation, Jesus is God's greatest gift to humankind. So, giving and receiving gifts is part of the celebration, not the reason for it. As with all traditions, we can sometimes drift away from the original reason for doing a certain thing. I have nothing against the people who prepared that news report or the people involved in giving and growing bigger every day. I urge your readers to focus on the little light that is shining in N'gombe Compound, to think about those happy faces and their simple joy over receiving the gift of education. For our little friends, education is the key to survival. At school they receive food, adult guidance, encouragement and the necessary tools to make something of themselves. Their caregivers-elderly grandparents and extended family are overwhelmingly grateful for our support. The children are occupied during the day and go to sleep with food in their tummies at night. They have been given nourishment for both their bodies and their souls. It is our hope to continue this "African Project" begun by Jessica Bokhout when she was in Zambia with CARE during this past year. Jess is home again, continuing her university studies but N'gombe and the children of Kondwa continue to hold a special place in her heart. Through the magic of bank cards, money can be transferred quickly and easily to Zambia. Donors can be gifts to people in need. But let us not lose sight of the focal point of Christmas. The things we do in celebration of Christ's birth ought not to become the main thing. Christ is the main thing. So my heart aches for children who are "left out" at Christmas. Such is sometimes the result of a society's abundance. But we must never imagine that those children have no reason to celebrate. As long as we can remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and the salvation He brings, then we will all have reason to celebrate. Sincerely, Thomas Bailey. assured that all of their donations will reach the children at Kondwa. We will continue to accept donations, made out to Clinton United Church, Box 204, Clinton, NOM ILO with the words "Africa Project" in the memo line. Receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. This new school year, beginning in January 2007, $100 will cover the cost of sending a child to school for a year. This amount pays for THE EDITOR, On Saturday evening, Dec. 2, the neighbours on Sawmill Road in McKillop Twp. will once again parade their decorated farm machinery around the 7 1/2 km. block to help get us all into the Christmas spirit. Tractors, combines, grain buggies and plows will be decked out in Christmas lights which can be seen across the fields as we make our way east from the THE EDITOR, I was absolutely overwhelmed when I read the article about Aaron Richmond in The Citizen a couple of weeks ago. I haven't seen Aaron in probably close to 10 years and I am so pleased that he is accomplishing such wonder- Conservation Bureau me po wer of coruerrat,on clothing, shoes, school supplies and the mandatory school fees imposed by the Zambian government. It also covers happy smiles, full tummies, the joy of learning and the priceless gift of a future. Miraculously, even small donations add up quickly, allowing us to send yet another child to school. Donations are welcome anytime, as some schools in Zambia collect school fees on a monthly basis, enabling poorer families to send children to farm of Gordon and Irma Pryce, at 43451 Sawmill Rd., then return up the Hallett- McKillop Line and back to Pryce's. This is an opportunity for the neighbours to get together for fun and fellowship. Each year, the participants seem to become more creative. Usually we expect 18-20 participants but this year we are opening up the parade to anyone interested in joining the festivities. Just ful goals in his life. I used to coach Aaron in the YBC (Youth Bowling Council) program at Molesworth Lanes and I drove him to many bowling events in the area. He was such a determined young man, never complaining of his disabilities and never letting them get in his way. As I read ot.0 av Rebate school Our little friends at Kondwa are so destitute that even a monthly fee of $10 is too much for their households. On International AIDS Day, and during this upcoming season of giving and receiving, let us continue to focus on our ability to improve the lives of others and may we all be blessed with the knowledge that we can and do make a difference in this world. Sincerely, Helena McShane and Maarten Bokhout call Pryce's at 519-527-0917 or Whitmore's at 519-527-1491 for more information. The parade departs at about 5:30 p.m. as dusk sets in. For front-row seats just come and park -in a driveway, at an intersection or on the shoulder of the road. The welcome. will be warm and the viewing will be easy. It is a unique way to get yourself geared up for the Christmas season. Sincerely, Bruce Whitmore. the article about his new book, I see the same young boy has turned into a fine young man. Congratulations Aaron on all your success and I will try my hardest to get a copy of your book. I look forward to reading it. Sincerely, Leslie (Matheson) Groot Letter to the editor Sawmill parade Saturday Woman offers congratulations when undertaking the following work: • installing an ECM equipped furnace • installing a new programmable thermostat • replacing an existing central air conditioner with an ENERGY STAR' qualified system. Just contact a qualified participating contractor by visiting www.conservationbureau.on.ca or calling 1.866.859.9898. By participating in the Hot Savings Rebate Program, you are not only saving yourself money, you are helping to develop a culture of conservation in Ontario. Program ends March 31, 2007.