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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 01:17:27 am 
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A few months ago there was a spirited debate on this board about Burma.

Not about the generals....there was total agreement between all posters on the thread about those evil parasites. The debate centred on the ethics of visiting Burma under its current leadership.

We copped a bit of flak about going, but Glen and I visited in December and encountered resiliant people very proud of their country and deeply scarred by their brutal government.

Everywhere we went ordinary people were living in absolutely dire poverty but begged us to encourage others to visit. Many people derive their income from tourism and the drying up of tourists has had a catastrophic affect on many.

Which brings us to Cyclone Nargis.........the west is looking on helplessly while the generals actively block any aid attempts, increasing the toll by the hour.

Because of this trip and contacts established from other Australians visiting Burma, I have been able to get money to a reliable contact in Rangoon who has been buying supplies for some surrounding villagers with the assistance of an Australian colleague who has flown into Rangoon to assist.

It is a drop in the ocean, but nonetheless it has helped at least a few families. None of this would have been possible if we had gone to Club Med instead of visiting Burma, seeing the situation on the ground and establishing contacts.

I would urge everyone to do what they can to assist the Burmese people.

I have copy below a couple of messages from my friend in Rangoon and some pictures he has forwarded today.

From: Nyi
Sent: Wednesday, 7 May 2008 10:04 PM
Subject: Greeting from Nyi/Burma

Dear Friends,

The storm called Nargit passed across Yangon in the speed of 100 to 120 mile per hour on 2nd May midnight till 3rd May 10 am. All big trees blown down, all the roof were blown off, everything was destroyed by wind .Luckily people are safe in Yangon .

The main problem in Yangon is we have no water and no light . We received very little amount of water from water supply system. All power line are fallen down during the storm. So there will not be electric power within 20 to 30 days. We are using our own generator (if we can buy). Very few (almost nothing) aids are provided by government.

Today public buses and circular trains start operating in Yangon. 65% turn to normalcy.

Apart from this we are OK. For me, my house is partly damaged by tree fallen on to my house but we are safe. 6 sheets of my roof is GONE WITH THE WIND !

This is all for now.
Nyi

----------------------------

From: Nyi
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:33 PM
Subject: Re: FW: Greeting from Nyi/Burma

Dear Margaret,

Thanks for your reply. What we need is electricity and water supply but I don't think anybody can send them in the baggage. Thanks for your offer.

Please let us know when your boss get Myanmar visa then I can say something I need. Mean time hard to say. Corrigated Roof are also needed for most people. Power Generator as well.

Thank you.
Nyi & Family

--------------------------

From: Nyi
Sent: Sun 11/05/2008 11:43 PM
Subject: Thanks for Money.

Dear Margaret,

I received money from Liz today I had nice conversation with her. She promised to contribute some more money to my little project to help poor victims.

With the money I bought 16 sacks of rice and 185 package of candles.

I can share and distribute them to 185 families tomorrow.

Detail with photos to be sent tomorrow

Nyi


Image

Image

Image

Image

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 02:03:49 am 
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I've visited Burma twice on holidays in recent years.

As recently as January this year.

This Nyi guy has travelled the country with me all times as guide, and he is quite superb.

An incredibly well educated and gentle guy, who speaks absolutely perfect English.

Been a Buddhist monk 3 times as I recall, and is very devout and caring - he was always giving those less fortunate some of his money etc for food as we travelled around. That is the Buddhist way.

Right now folks there need help and they need it FAST.

Politicians huffing and puffing about it in Washington etc, will not feed anyone, nor give them light, food, or basic shelter - anytime soon.

Yes the government there is to blame for the lack of action, and yes if we all wait for them to do something the death toil will get to 1,500,000 once disease and hunger and cholera etc spreads. That is fact.

Margo and I have sent money across already, and if anyone here wants to assist we can add your contribution to it.

Unlike most of the Western charities, where a $100 donation gets chewed up more than 60% by their bloated bureaucracies etc, in this case a $US25 donation buys a $US25 large sack of rice or a large bucket of candles (there will be no power for months in some areas) or rolls of heavy guage plastic protective sheeting, that can be used as waterproof shelters, as the current heavy downpour continues.

Anyone who wants to paypal a donation of any kind can do so to me at glen at glenstephens.com and I'll pass it on, (any currency, and any amount is fine and appreciated by them I am sure) or do a bank transfer to me - Westpac Northbridge - NSW in name Glen Stephens - BSB is 032199 - Account - 824096

In both cases simply call it BURMA AID so I can identify it

Margo has a Sydney workmate up there now with strong local community connections, and is in Burma each year. She flew up a couple of days ago to hands-on assist however she can. I can just get her to add whatever we might raise, to the amount she passes on, and reimburse her when she returns.

Nyi is with her at this time, and they are both on the ground doing something positive - see the photos above.

Yes, we are a tiny drop in the ocean, but it we make the life of just 500 folks better and safer, and healthier, I'll sleep much better at night. Already 180 families have been helped by our donations.

The Burmese people are wonderful and kind and gentle from my personal observation, and hopefully we can assist them a tiny bit here - their nasty government and this cyclone is not of their making.

Glen


Last edited by ozstamps on Tue May 13, 2008 15:05:10 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 02:17:13 am 
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Location: A bar somewhere near you ....
The problem right now is that people need these basics NOW and not in a fortnight's time.

The problem is sourcing what folks actually need right here and now, and getting them to them.

The price of basic staples and essentials has of course escalated wildly based on supply and demand.

So far 185 families have been positively assisted by the monies we have sent.

This Nyi is an experienced tour guide who travels the country all year. He knows where the stuff is, how to get it at the best price, and how to get it transported to where it is needed.

Remember the transport system is in chaos, in areas many roads are gone, and the price of gas has gone through the roof there.

Ordinarily I'd be cautious of using stampboards for any kind of charity or disaster type deal, as usually no-one has a clue where the funds will go and exactly how they will be used. In this case both those questions are answered, and I hope it gets some support from members. :idea:
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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 03:23:57 am 
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Location: A bar somewhere near you ....
Image


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OK ... here is something that may appeal to collectors.

In January this year we were on a long tail hand made wooden boat on the huge Inle Lake in the remote North East of Burma - in Shan State.

My stamp collector friend Peter Lehmann (above) was with us, and Nyi pointed out this rickety building on stilts in the water and told is it was in actuality a POST OFFICE! The ONLY access to it is by long boat.

The "PO" was a small wooden school desk. Manned by a guy and his wife and very young son also seemed to live there. The Burmese normal stamps do not have even a word of English on them as you can see - and no gum .... the little saucer of "glue" the PM makes up himself from lumpy sago and water.

Anyway it was the most exotic post office we had ever seen and mailed a few items from there.

I can guarantee that postmaster had never had a tourist in that PO in his lifetime. :D

I am going to make a promise here (that he does not know about!) that I feel sure Nyi will be try very hard to keep when things finally settle down. For anyone who donates $US25 or above to the BURMA FUND he'll mail you one of these covers as shown above. In fact for each $US25 he will mail one. Each with different stamps on them.

Franked with the real LOCAL stamps - not the flashy topical ones produced for the stamp New Issue market. He will hand address them to you anywhere in the world, affix stamp with a dollop of sago glue, and mail them from this very PO. And hand cancel them like the one above.

A really unusual philatelic souvenir from Burma as a small "Thank You" for those able to assist.

Sadly the catastrophe here is not being reported too widely in UK or USA media as they have taken hard line sanctions action against the regime in the past. The REAL story is that 1,500,000 may die:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7396465.stm

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM ... hJpApgT3-Q

And as of 11 hours ago:

"Storm warnings have been issued to last until May 15. It is feared that a month's worth of rain could fall in just two days.

"The storms are not expected to be on the same scale as the cyclone, but it's going to make bad conditions 100 times worse.

"People already displaced by the previous cyclone are going to be left without any shelter."

She said that up to 5,000 square kilometers of the country still lay under water"

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 04:42:45 am 
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Glen,

A very worthy cause, donation set by paypal.

regards,

David


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 04:49:20 am 
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Location: That's on a need to know basis - and YOU do not need to know!
And finally - most folks have a little network of friends or work colleagues and family etc to circulate emails to.

Please circulate the link to this thread below to as many folks as you can - which is:

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=6174


And in turn ask them to pass it on to their email list.

No-one needs to be a StampBoards.com member to assist the relief work.

I think we can provide food and comfort to another 200-500 households in the next few days if we all help in passing this appeal around.

I never thought when I started up stampboards we'd be involved in this kind of thing, but c'est la vie. :idea:

Donating to a huge fund who may ship goods the generals confiscate at the airport, and sell on the black market is totally abhorrent to me.

The Burma Generals are simply NOT allowing any foreign aid workers in to distribute the aid.

This way every dollar donated will go on food and water and essential aid - and fast - to those who desperately need it.

Add a note to this thread if you are able to donate in some way, and we'll get a conga line of sorts going here!

Glen Stephens
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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 05:08:06 am 
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A few $$ sent your way, Glen.

This sort of people-to-people relief, assistance, diplomacy, or whatever you want to call it, is something very near and dear to me. It absolutely does work and a little can and does go a long way.

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 05:25:16 am 
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Thanks for the generous PayPal donations folks - Northern Ireland and Slovenia are a great start, and shows perfectly the type of international support I hope we will keep getting for this.

And neither was "modest" either, so many thanks. 8)

For those members, and all other future donating members of $25 or more - who'd like me to ask Nyi to mail you a real posted cover from the world's only Post Office on stilts in a lake I'd guess, please do me a huge favor and email your postal address to:

stampboards at gmail.com that I just set up.

That way I'll have a record all in one mailbox as to who wants the covers outlined above, and how many they want. You get one cover per $US25 (or equiv) donated, and YOU specify the name and address it/they is to go to in that email.

Glen


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 06:12:29 am 
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Great idea for a worthy cause.

So I will do my bit too in order to qualify for one of these special covers.

Go here to find out ..................

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=270126

All proceeds will be donated to the appeal above.

Londonbus1


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 08:37:04 am 
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Glen,

Money transferred to your account this morning, will show up tomorrow.

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 09:55:54 am 
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Sent via Paypal

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:10:47 am 
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Already sent a contribution to The Red Cross Myanmar Appeal (they get urgently needed medical aid to the front lines really fast).

Because they are not aligned to one particular country or group of countries, they have total access and were among the first aid workers to help in the worst hit areas.

Please see this Red Cross site:

http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_emergencyrelief_MyanmarCycloneNargis.htm

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Last edited by Lakatoi 4 on Tue May 13, 2008 16:59:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 13:02:50 pm 
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Greetings Glen,

Just sent our donation of $US25.00 via PayPal.

A good idea of yours and put our amount up a bit.

I'll have to go over the posts again to establish how I put our address on.

Cheers,
Kev.


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 14:03:06 pm 
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Thanks to all the members above for their very generous support. :D

Londonbus's from Israel's superb idea above, to run a 48 hour charity auction of stamp goodies already has bids from our generous members for $US250 with 40 hours to go.

Total proceeds of that auction will go to this fund. Please support it. :D

I initially hoped we might be able to raise at least $US1000 in donations from members, after seeing Margo's thread here, and it appears we are already about half way there. A great tribute to our generous members. 8)

That sum will assist HUNDREDS of families get food lighting and shelter from the ongoing torrential rain, and get them all NOW today, and right now they are lacking all three.
.


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 14:12:29 pm 
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And many thanks to those members like Kev above who have taken up the suggestion to circulate this fundraiser to their email network or friends and associates, and in turn asked them to pass it on to theirs. The link to this thread is:

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=270323

These things do spread fast if that is done, and it really gets a lot of donation support in a SHORT time, and that is what the Burmese people want right now. IMMEDIATE help with food, lighting and shelter.

We may only be a drop in the bucket, but if stampboarders can assist a few 100 families we have done something VERY positive. Which is more than several huge countries have done so far. :idea:

We already have directly helped 180 families who had NOTHING after this cyclone, and even that is a great first step.

They need our help and they need it now.
.


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 Post subject: small donation
PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 14:50:46 pm 
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Hi all

I can only reiterate all the positive things about the burmese people.I visited burma over 20 years ago and the people are beautifull. The ruling army junta will not get it together to help anyone but themselves.

Anyone filling in one of their forms re currency will know they have all the worst traits of beaucracy.

Anyhow having teenagers and a mortage I havent any spare cash but as Glen uses decimal stamps Ive wacked an envelope marked burma donation in the mail with a few bucks worth of decimal stamps and trust when it arrives Glen will forward the same value to these poor folk.

Also thanks for providing a means to assist all be it modest
cheers

aq
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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 15:27:23 pm 
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admin wrote:

For those members, and all other future donating members of $25 or more - who'd like me to ask Nyi to mail you a real posted cover, from the world's only Post Office on stilts in a lake I'd guess, please do me a huge favor and email your postal address to:

stampboards [at] gmail.com that I just set up for this purpose.

That way I'll have a record all in one mailbox as to who wants the covers outlined above, and how many they want. You get one cover per $US25 (or equiv) donated, and YOU please specify the name and address it/they is to go to in that email.



And folks PLEASE note the above. Email me those details and they will be all in one place to forward to Nyi when things settle back to some kind of normalcy there. A lack of an email to that address, and I'll assume you do not need these covers.
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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 16:37:04 pm 
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I have sent a small donation to Glen also. I don't have paypal, so I used my Visa details. .

Norm

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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 17:31:31 pm 
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Thanks Norm. Yes for anyone overseas who does not have paypal, I am happy to accept donations using your credit card, and I will of course wear any bank charges.

To use cards simply complete - www.glenstephens.com/order - calling it "BURMA FUND"

PayPal is far quickest of course, and keeps it neatly in $US, and bank transfer for ozzies is quicker still, as I take ages to process cards, as I use a paper based system.

But keep it coming folks - the more the merrier. It is a superb cause.

I will email all members on this in the next hour, and lets see the target get to $2,000 if we can.

We on stampboards can do what several governments cannot.

Glen


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 Post subject: burma
PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 18:51:14 pm 
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Glen.

I just sent you 50.00 us dollars.

Great cause.


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 19:41:45 pm 
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Glen,

Money is on its way to your bank. I like many others have not yet donated because, having watched the news and been frustrated at the unwillingness of the Burmese leaders to open their borders and accept the help of the international community, I felt that any donation made would not actually help the Burmese people, however, this sounds like a perfect plan where there is already somebody on the ground, so I'm only too willing to contribute.

Peter


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 20:21:08 pm 
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Here are the latest pictures sent by Nyi today of his relief efforts which we are contributing to:

Image

Image

Image

Also an update from my Australian friend on the ground sent today:
...
Rangoon is slowly returning to 'normal', other than in the outskirts. The city is almost unrecognisable from the storm damage, with giant trees having collapsed and completely changing the landscape. Some houses are reasonably solid, and have suffered damage largely to roofs, and there's lots of banging as people try to replace sheets of corrugated iron. But of course the iron sheets are becoming scarce, and it rains very heavily each day (tho' not all day) so everything continues to be drenched.

Most people don't seem aware of the catastrophic conditions in the delta.

Rice (the staple food) prices are astronomical, and the poor simply can't afford to purchase enough to feed themselves and their families. And they have no jobs, as so much business has come to a halt (factories etc). Rice is becoming very scarce, and the World Food Program warehouse is empty. People are starving. It's all totally chaotic, with absolutely no signs of any organised response.

Tomorrow am off to the South side of the Rangoon river, which is a very poor area, and much devastated by Nargis


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PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 22:06:35 pm 
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I have just added a little more to the fund via your account, Glen. Have also sent email re covers.

Best wishes for reaching the target and helping people in such desperate need


Jill

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 Post subject: Burma appeal
PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2008 23:49:57 pm 
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Hi Glen,

Some extra money sent to your account for this worthy cause.

Rabbit


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PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 00:18:22 am 
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Many thanks to the many Stampboards members who are supporting this effort so generously both publically and privately.

I will pass on all information we get directly from Burma and let Nyi know that more help is on its way.

Margo


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PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 00:19:44 am 
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Quote:

Rice (the staple food) prices are astronomical, and the poor simply can't afford to purchase enough to feed themselves and their families. And they have no jobs, as so much business has come to a halt (factories etc). Rice is becoming very scarce, and the World Food Program warehouse is empty. People are starving. It's all totally chaotic, with absolutely no signs of any organised response.



My main concern is to get money to Nyi FAST before rice prices rise even further. See Margo's colleagues comments above, who is on the ground in Rangoon.

Thanks to all the rapid generosity of stampboarders, I transferred $US1000 tonight to Nyi and urged him to buy sacks of rice NOW, before prices inflate even more now the foreign aid agencies are also chasing it actively.

I hope to send another $US1,000 in coming days.

Our first donation from Margo and I and a few others helped 185 families, as Nyi reports:

"This morning I distributed rice and candles to 185 families around my area. Each family received 7 candles and 4 kg of rice. Thank you very much for your donation."

Now 4 kilos of rice and 7 candles is not even torching the sides for any family, so hope he can re-visit those same homes tomorrow.

Look around you in your home, and think how you'd feel if you needed to rely on charity for seven candles and a bowl of rice to eat.

Sometimes we do not realise how lucky we are. :idea:

Please keep those donations coming in.

Glen
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PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 00:47:12 am 
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A client who is a member, bought the block 4 off my rarity page for $A300. I had not posted it, so he directed me to sell it here and donate all proceeds to the Burma fund.

He does not want to be named - but thanks to him for his huge generosity. :D

The other pair I was to rip off for stock, so I will toss that in as my donation.

Fresh MUH. You are buying this spectacular margin block of 6 as shown.

Price only $A500 post included, Registered.

Fresh MUH, and one of the best post office sold misplaced perfs issued since Federation. Very seldom seen, and a most striking and inexpensive addition to a Royalty or Australian collection. Fully ACSC listed and priced. This $500 is about real market price. Order it here -

viewtopic.php?t=6202
.

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PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 02:06:54 am 
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Location: That's on a need to know basis - and YOU do not need to know!
For those members above, and all other future donating members of $US25 or more - who'd like me to ask Nyi to mail you a real posted cover from the world's only Post Office on stilts in a lake I'd guess, please do me a huge favor and email your name postal address (and do not assume he can mind-read your COUNTRY .. add that clearly in the info you forward) to:

stampboards [at] gmail.com that I just set up.

That way we will have a record all in one mailbox as to who wants the covers outlined above, and how many they want. Again YOU specify that. You get one cover per $US25 (or equiv) donated, and YOU specify the name and address it/they is to go to in that email. YOU are responible for doing this - if you do not email to that account he will never see it. Do NOT email your mailing address to me.

That email address differs from the PayPal address to send monies to, which is glen [at] glenstephens.com

PLEASE note the difference in the two, as 3 folks today have not.

Glen


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PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 02:39:35 am 
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I was online for our Birthday Number 5!
I was online for our Birthday Number 5!
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Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2007 13:59:53 pm
Posts: 39395
Location: Klang, Selangor, Malaysia
Glen,

Hope the donation gets to help feed the hungry.
It is sad to hear of people going hungry like that.
Just also want you to know that I just came back from being a guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Port Klang tonight
and it is nice to know they are sending many thousands of ringgit worth
of milk, beans, instant noodles, biscuits, etc. on the 15th of May accompanied by a Buddhist priest to Myanmar.

There are also many others in Malaysia doing what they can
and some volunteers (including Mercy Malaysia) are also going to Myanmar to see how they can be of help there.

I guess every sen and every bit of effort helps.

Cheers

Andrew


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 05:41:32 am 
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RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2007 08:49:37 am
Posts: 1648
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Glen

$25 sent- I've used your website as I've closed my Paypal account in protest at the paypal only policy (who'd have thought I'd need paypal!)

Simon


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:50:45 am 
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Mauve Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
Mauve Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 14:43:47 pm
Posts: 2667
Location: Ontario, Canada
Glen

I also do not have paypal so processed a donation through VISA.

Regards

_________________
Ken


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 Post subject: KILOWARE FOR BURMA
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 10:58:21 am 
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BLUE Shooting Star Posting MADMAN!
BLUE Shooting Star Posting MADMAN!
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Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 18:05:41 pm
Posts: 774
Location: Melbourne, Victoria.
Here is my offer of help:

I have a stockpile 100kg of TOTALLY UNPICKED very recent/modern Australia mission mix, which includes High Values/Unfranked etc.

Price is $45 per kg, plus postage, and I will take back any unfranked or fine used High Value commems. you find, AND WANT TO TRADE BACK at 25% face value in exchange for more mix, as long as it is left on paper. (I will then use that to add to other mixes to make an even better mix for some lucky people)

I will donate the entire $45 per kg sold directly to Glen's Burma fund.

Let's see if we can sell the lot and send $4500 to Burma.

Send your orders to me:

kmorgan@centurynova.com.au

All major cards including Diners and Amex accepted, plus Paypal
payments can be made to info@21stcenturyauctions.com.au

_________________
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Also don't forget to checkout our websites at http://www.kevinmorgan.com.au


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 12:10:54 pm 
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BLUE Shooting Star Posting MADMAN!
BLUE Shooting Star Posting MADMAN!
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Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 13:08:53 pm
Posts: 833
Location: Perth. W.A.
Glen.

Email sent regards H&G and additional funds for this great cause!

Cheers.
Browny.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 15:18:18 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:46:06 pm
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Location: That's on a need to know basis - and YOU do not need to know!
SUPERB OFFER Kevin ...... Folks buy kiloware off you and I like no tomorrow even when no proceeds go to Burma, so step up to the plate folks and get this while it is on offer!

Glen


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 15:19:30 pm 
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Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2005 12:46:06 pm
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Location: That's on a need to know basis - and YOU do not need to know!
OK, we certainly have some generous stampboarders here. :)

A long time client and regular member here donated the above block of 6 QE2 misperfs, that he had already paid for.

Another client and regular reader has just told me to invoice him $500 for it, and NOT mail him the pair he too had already paid for (below) and I had not mailed off.

He directed that pair be offered here for $A200 and all monies from that go to the BURMA FUND.

Both collectors insisted on anonymity .. but thanks from me for their generosity - I know who you are. :)

So here it is below for $A200 I'll pay Reg'd post.

And Burma benefits $700 directly by my slackness in mailing out client orders ... I knew there needed to be a silver lining in that quite hopeless system SOMEHOW!


Image


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 15:42:48 pm 
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I was online for post number ONE MILLION!
I was online for post number ONE MILLION!
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Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 17:30:16 pm
Posts: 1985
Location: Croydon Vic
Have just made a further gift through PayPal, great to see how quickly this is working.

_________________
Ann

Also annwiggy on eBay.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 16:56:47 pm 
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Location: That's on a need to know basis - and YOU do not need to know!
Thanks Ann and to all others -- some of whom have asked to remain anonymous.

I have just transferred another $US1,000 to Nyi on top of the $US1,000 sent yesterday which he got, and responded as follows.

----------------

Dear Glen,

Appreciate your hard efforts to help the people in Burma.

Yes, bank account is the same. This is private account, no government involved. If you send 1000$, then I will receive 997 $ (3$ goes to money remittance)

Please thank your friends on behalf of our people.

With best regards,
Nyi


----------------------

So c'mon folks that have not yet been able to donate ... I'd like to see us send another $US1,000 in the next couple of days whilst rice IS still obtainable .. the available supplies are near all gone and price of those is skyrocketing, he tells us.

There are several fund raiser auctions of stamps taking place on the For Sale forum:

http://www.stampboards.com/viewforum.php?f=27

Most prominent is this one below from Londonbus1.

Peterski76 has already PAID me $A500 for that - whether he wins it or not.

So if any member, or a group of members jointly tops his $US500.50 bid, then those monies go right on top of that, and we are part way to the next $1000. AND you'll get a pile of great stamps for your money too! 8)

All members of course can donate MORE stuff to the prize, hence upping its real value.

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=6179

And if members buy about 20 kilos of Kevin Morgan's superb kiloware donation above, at just $A45 a kilo, we have nearly another $1000 on hand .. go for it .. kiloware at that price is a STEAL! ALL members reading this can use a few kilos for the winter months!

Glen
.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 21:07:48 pm 
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I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 19:46:12 pm
Posts: 16853
Location: Sunny Sydney .... well Castlecrag to be precise.
Kevin Morgan just made an amazing offer to sell annual 'Stamp News' subs to all new subscribers and donate the entire $90 from each of them to the appeal.

An astounding offer so please sign up if you do not have one, or sign up someone else, but DO sign up!!!!

Just ELEVEN subs and we have another $1000 in the bag.

:lol: http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.ph ... highlight=
.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 21:14:22 pm 
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I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 19:46:12 pm
Posts: 16853
Location: Sunny Sydney .... well Castlecrag to be precise.
And our method of having a local on the ground physially hand out food and aid that we buy is looking smarter than ever:

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia ... rkets.html

Burma cyclone: Burmese officials selling emergency aid supplies in local markets

By Alan Brown in Yangonpauk

Last Updated: 7:48AM BST 13/05/2008

Officials in Burma's cyclone-hit Irrawaddy delta area are appropriating emergency aid supplies and selling them in local markets, it was claimed on Monday.

Burmese volunteers who are operating their own private aid missions to the area have said that they are having to hide from local apparatchiks in order to prevent them commandeering their aid and selling it on at markets.

The Telegraph learned of the alleged scam from a Burmese businessman from Rangoon, who was leading one of dozens of private relief missions distributing supplies of rice, biscuits and clothing around the flood-hit delta area on Monday

"If they see our relief supplies, they will come over and say 'don't worry, give that to us, we will distribute it for you'," he said.

"But we know that for every ten sacks of rice we give them, only four will reach the people.

"The other six will end up being sold by that official on a market in some local town. Rice prices are very high right now and that official will then make a good profit.

On the outskirts of the more storm-damaged regions, checkpoints had sprung up overnight, where police and immigration officials were banning any foreigners - including aid workers - from entering the area.

The secretive junta has already been condemned for refusing to allow in foreign aid experts to oversee the distribution of the massive aid effort, claiming that it alone is best equipped to deal to do so.

But on Monday, during a three-hour drive through the water-logged delta area, not a single village had received government aid.



Last edited by GlenStephens on Wed May 14, 2008 21:21:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 21:17:13 pm 
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Mauve Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
Mauve Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 09:34:17 am
Posts: 3317
Location: Ipswich
That link didn't work for me for some reason Glen. (tinylink.com)

Arlene


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 21:24:16 pm 
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I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 19:46:12 pm
Posts: 16853
Location: Sunny Sydney .... well Castlecrag to be precise.
What worries me more is this report from 2 hours back that another large Cyclone is heading right in.

There has been torrential rain non-stop since the last one, and this would cause utter heartbreak if it hits.

Sitting here in my nice warm house with TV on and after having had a large hot dinner we simply can't imagine how devastated these folks must feel right now.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia ... ngoon.html

Burma cyclone: Second storm gathering

By Rob Davies

Last Updated: 8:26AM BST 14/05/2008

A second cyclone is bearing down on Burma, as the country struggles in the grip of a humanitarian crisis caused by Cyclone Nargis, which killed 100,000 and left 1.5 million in need of emergency aid.

There are more calls for the secret military regime in Burma to allow aid workers into the country, following the deadly cyclone.

The warning of a second devastating storm comes as survivors struggle to find enough food to stay alive after Cyclone Nargis hit earlier this month, leaving millions homeless.

The United Nations' weather centre has identified a tropical storm in its early stages which is likely to become a cyclone, according to Amanda Pitt, spokeswoman of the UN humanitarian relief programme in Bangkok, Thailand.

Ms Pitt warned that a second cyclone would severely hamper deliveries of food, water and temporary housing to areas in dire need of relief.

etc,

.


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2008 23:24:08 pm 
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RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 00:05:37 am
Posts: 2292
Location: Portugal
What is the Paypal address to send the money?

Nuno


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 00:24:32 am 
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RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Fri May 18, 2007 06:12:52 am
Posts: 1490
Location: Melbourne, Aus
Nuno_Silva wrote:
What is the Paypal address to send the money?

Nuno


The address to send paypal donations is:

glen at glenstephens.com

and call it BURMA AID so that Glen can identify it easily


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 02:31:23 am 
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WINNER! Stampboards Poster Of The Month
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Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 20:11:18 pm
Posts: 2533
Location: Boksburg - South Africa
Hi Glen

Just sent off a paypal donation. Please confirm receipt.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 02:39:01 am 
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PLATINUM Shooting Star Stampboard LEGEND
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 20:24:58 pm
Posts: 12558
Location: A bar somewhere near you ....
Thanks Colin - got it fine .. that makes the donations truly global now - from SIX continents! :D


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 05:23:44 am 
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RED Shooting Star Posting MANIAC!
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Joined: Mon Mar 31, 2008 00:05:37 am
Posts: 2292
Location: Portugal
$25 sent via paypal.

:wink:


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 17:08:58 pm 
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I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
I was online for Post Number 3 MILLION!
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Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2007 21:19:30 pm
Posts: 5599
Location: Tasmania
I have deposited $20 for the Burma appeal :wink:

"Tassie-Burma" Ref was left.

Regards,

Matthew


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 20:17:25 pm 
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I was online for our Birthday Number 5!
I was online for our Birthday Number 5!
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Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2007 02:10:49 am
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Location: West Coast of England
$25 US Paypalled to "glen at glenstephens.com", ref "Burma Fund".


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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 21:09:21 pm 
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Lifetime Suspension
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Joined: Wed May 30, 2007 12:31:40 pm
Posts: 6738
Location: Leura NSW
This response would bring a tear to a glass eye. What a bunch.

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 Post subject:
PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2008 22:38:05 pm 
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PLATINUM Shooting Star Stampboard LEGEND
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Joined: Tue Sep 06, 2005 20:24:58 pm
Posts: 12558
Location: A bar somewhere near you ....
Great support rolls in from members all over the globe - as you can see - the last 3 donations are from Portugal, England and Tasmania.

I am about to send my THIRD tranche of $US1,000 across to Nyi based entirely on the generosity of those here.

Member Annwiggy has donated HALF of all ebay lots monies she has ending in the next couple of days so please visit her site and BID UP!

She has collection lots from all over the world in there, so certainly something for everyone.

http://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=6245
.

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