Nicolas Cage Donates $2 Million to Help End Suffering of Child Soldiers

[bigtree]

6/28/2006 11:40:00 AM

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68421

NEW YORK, June 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Amnesty International USA announced today that actor and filmmaker Nicolas Cage is donating $2 million to establish a fund to help former child soldiers, which will include support for rehabilitation shelters, medical services and psychological and reintegration services, and to support Amnesty International's work on child soldiers. Amnesty International, a member of the Coalition Against the Use of Child Soldiers, will administer the funds to service providers on the ground.

"We thank Nicolas for his extremely generous contribution," said Larry Cox, Amnesty International USA's Executive Director. "As an Amnesty International member, Nicolas has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the horrors faced by child soldiers and other human rights tragedies. We commend his efforts and appreciate his generosity."

"Think about the nine months it took for your child to be born; think about all the care you put into teaching him how to cross the street and look both ways or to read a book or to simply have good manners. Then imagine a warlord dropping a gun into his hand and forcing him to kill someone. He's eight years old. He hasn't kissed a girl yet or fallen in love, but he's killed a man. What does that do to a child's mind? Sounds like a nightmare? It's reality for some families," says Cage in his video statement.

Cage has been working closely with Amnesty International USA for the past 2 1/2 years. Amnesty International collaborated with Cage and filmmakers on the film Lord of War to raise awareness about the international Control Arms Campaign. Through this campaign, Amnesty International, Oxfam and International Action Network on Small Arms are focusing on encouraging the United States to lead efforts to establish strict guidelines on the international transfer of small arms and light weapons. Cage also supported AI's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=68421

[zonkers]

1. Still cant forgive him for some of his films. Maybe you should post in LBN

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

5. I thought Lord of War was really good. n/t

[KT2000]

2. This is great news

and a hugely generous gift.
Those children need help.

[Joe Chi Minh]

3. Isn't that marvellous!

[HEyHEY]

4. Good for him

They are one of the most in need people in the world. No kid should see so much death, let alone be suckered into commiting it.

[Vidar]

6. Good for Care. Very talented actor as well, though a little too

main-stream these days for my taste. Has to pay the bills, I suppose.