From: Ayesha Haqqiqa [exerpt from a personal letter] On another note-could you write that site and tell them about Sam's letter and offer at Refugees International? I'm trying to spread the word, and it is more credible coming from people who have visited a site already.
from the ri site [www.refugeeinternational.org]

Help Celebrate RI board member/actor Sam Waterston's Birthday

11/03/2003 >

Dear Friend, >

Each year around the time of my birthday, I am humbled by the response of my friends and fans who make contributions in my name to Refugees International (RI). By supporting RI, they help to bring hope and peace to the world. There are more than 35 million refugees and displaced people in the world, most of whom are women and children. Don't think for a moment that you can't do anything about it. You can. >

I am pleased to be a board member of RI, an organization that truly is a powerful voice for lifesaving action. RI was one of the first non-governmental organizations (NGO) to document the horrible atrocities being committed in Sierra Leone in 1998. RI remained committed to advocating on behalf of the innocent victims of that country’s war though the difficult times. In Angola earlier this year RI discovered the plight of neglected women who had been forcibly recruited to serve soldiers during the long civil war. RI's voice generated funding through the World Bank's demobilization program for more than 300,000 of these women who would have received nothing without this help. RI staff member George Kun, himself a refugee from Liberia, was heard via major news outlets around the United States. His message calling for increased US support for peacekeeping efforts in Liberia has been relentless. And recently, RI's peacekeeping reports on the UN mission to Congo have been quoted and used by the Under-Secretary for UN Peacekeeping Operations.

In Sierra Leone and Angola, years of war have come to an end. In Liberia, a ruthless dictator is gone, while in the Congo, small positive steps are being made towards reconciliation.

The message of hope, especially for peace, is one we are all eager to hear. Yet being able to effectively voice that message is a task that is more difficult than one can imagine.

Sincerely,

Sam Waterston
Board Member

Note: As a token of his appreciation for your support, Sam Waterston has offered a signed photo or 2004 RI calendar to those who contribute more than $75. (Please specify your preference when you send in your donation). Sam has also offered to sign an actual Law and Order script for those who make a contribution of $150 or more.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible, birthday contribution, just mail your check to:

Refugees International
Attn: Sam Waterston's Birthday
1705 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036