ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, March 31, 1997                 TAG: 9703310002
SECTION: EDITORIAL                PAGE: A-6  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: LETTERS 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Robertson tries to aid troubled Zaire

YOUR HORIZON section article on March 16 (``Mining disaster'') presents a skewed view of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson's intentions and activities in the African nation of Zaire. The motivation behind his involvement there is a desire to meet the humanitarian and spiritual needs of a hurting nation.

As founder and chairman of The Christian Broadcasting Network, Robertson has brought the gospel message of Jesus Christ to millions of people in 70 countries. And through Operation Blessing, an international relief organization founded by him, millions more have received clothing, food and medicine.

With an international outreach, it's necessary to work with government leaders in power - whether it's communists in Vietnam, Marxists in Angola or military dictators in Central and South America. Does this mean Robertson endorses practices that violate human rights in countries like Zaire? Absolutely not. He is not involved in the internal politics of any of these countries - including Zaire.

Robertson has committed his life to helping those who cannot help themselves. That's exactly what he attempted to do with his private firm, African Development Co. Using his personal funds, he wanted to create economic-development projects that would produce jobs for Zaireans and generate revenue for future humanitarian efforts there. However, the chaos in Zaire and faulty equipment forced him to suspend operations in the fall of 1995. The company was never profitable.

Those problems didn't prevent Robertson from reaching out to this hurting nation. In May 1995, he donated and shipped medicine and supplies valued at $1.2 million to Zaire during the outbreak of the Ebola virus.

At the same time, his evangelistic television outreach to Zaire has brought the gospel of Christ - a message of love, hope and salvation - to more than 4 million people. Sadly, they are suffering again. Our prayers remain with them as the latest round of violence serves as a powerful reminder of the vast turmoil and chaos still present in that troubled country.

GENE KAPP

Vice President, Public Relations

Christian Broadcasting Network

VIRGINIA BEACH

Quality of care is put at risk

I'VE KEPT up with the debates over teacher-child ratios and education requirements in the child-care setting. Questioning the reasons for a decrease in quality, I wonder: Are we following the health-care industry, going toward management care vs. the individual?

When you talk about increasing the child-to-teacher ratio, isn't this similar to what the medical profession is doing? We have too few doctors caring for too many patients - doctors with time restraints and production quotas. The individual in both circumstances isn't receiving the attention that the teacher and doctor want to give, and the attention the child and patient need to receive. Thus, the quality suffers.

People recently have been allowed to care for the sick who have no education and little training, while others who should be nursing are drowning in paperwork. Are we proposing the same for our day-care teachers? Teachers who are ignorant regarding well-child checks, first aid and what is developmentally appropriate?

This new way of thinking by some of our leaders in society scares me. The value of the dollar cannot be put on the patient or child.

Since all these health-maintenance organizations have come about, I wonder: Will we next be telling parents who can care for their child and where they must go for child care?

DONNA WILLARD

SALEM

Dogs give joy in return for love

SOMETIMES an event or situation restores my faith in humanity and strengthens my faith in God. Maureen McCahan Anderson's commentary (March 3, ``Goodbye, my beloved Sneakers'') touched me in this way.

This lovely story about her dog Sneakers brought me to tears. Love and compassion for her longtime companion was the overriding theme of the commentary.

Articles about animal abuse and puppy mills make me sickened and disgusted with the actions of the persons responsible. Then a commentary such as Anderson's comes along to remind me that there are kind, loving people out there who share my appreciation of God's creatures.

Dogs can bring such joy and happiness into our lives if they are given love - the one thing that costs absolutely nothing.

ELLIE FEIST

ROANOKE

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