Visit underscores need for donations

I recently returned from a 22-day odyssey in sunny Nicaragua to the chilly Northwest Chicago suburb. Ever since my flight landed at O'Hare it has been a study in contrasts.

The roads, homes, sanitation and shopping venues that many of us take for granted has only underscored the privileged status we have in this country. We have clean water. We have plenty of food. Many Nicaraguans do not.

I ask each reader to consider making a donation to those less fortunate, especially those who live in Central America. Due to previous political and economic turmoil, many people in Central America are distrusting of their governments and education systems.

There is a lack of literacy in many places. There are teenage mothers with multiple children. Power outages are common. Many people I spoke with wanted to know about life in the United States - it was hard to be honest without being insulting.

We do not have dengue fever outbreaks or malaria. We have hot water for bathing. Most people here have at least one car. We certainly cannot live on two dollars a day. While I realize that many people are struggling "to make ends meet," most Nicaraguans have been affected by the financial recession as well. Even folks in Costa Rica and Belize have had a hard time over the past year or two.

While you are spending quality time on the Internet, find a good cause and donate. Whether atheist or agnostic, devout or cynic, please make a contribution that will last well past the celebrated time of year.

Willis Lambertson

Barrington