By Tim Saunders on
She may wish she was a punk rocker, but Scottish singer Sandi Thom definitely is one of the hottest acts in the industry today. And last week she joined workers from Oxfam Scotland as they put up an 11,000-litre water tank in Glasgow’s George Square to encourage people to donate to the charity’s emergency work across east Africa.
According to the United Nations, rising food prices, poor rains and drought have left more than 14 million people in dire need of help across the continent, and the water tank was used to illustrate the practical assistance donations can buy.
“The water tank we have built today gives people an idea of where their money goes and how Oxfam responds in an emergency,” said 26-year-old Thom. “Drought and rising food prices are some of the main causes that are propelling millions of people in East Africa towards severe hunger and destitution. The work that Oxfam is doing in East Africa is essential and sadly necessary. People should support Oxfam’s work in trying to help people who desperately need it.”
It is a sentiment that Oxfam supports.
“The situation in East Africa is dire, with colleagues witnessing heartbreaking situations where severely malnourished children are struggling to survive,” said Judith Robertson, head of the charity in Scotland. “Oxfam is there and responding to the situation, but we urgently need funds to help increase emergency response across the affected countries of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia and northern Kenya.”
To learn more about how to donate to Oxfam, visit their website.
Copyright © 2008 Look to the Stars
