to witness the exciting climax of Child Aid's 1992 fund-raising campaign to help finance humanitarian programmes in Somalia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The highlight of the event came after the 1 p.m. minute of silence when the crowd eavesdropped on a live telephone conversation between organiser Mr.

Glenm Fubler, radio announcer Mr. Glenn "Smooth Operator'' Blakeney and recording star Stevie Wonder.

Wonder, who was in Los Angeles, California, told the crowd how impressed he was with Bermuda's involvement with Child Aid's work.

"You are not just talking about the problem,'' he said. "You are doing something about it.'' Wonder said he would like to perform in the Island some time in the future, and donate the proceeds to Child Aid.

Asked about the deployment of US troops in Somalia, Wonder said: "That commitment should have been made long ago, but it has finally been made. Too many people died before they arrived, but I'm very happy the commitment was fulfilled.'' Thanks to the technology that brought his voice to Bermuda, Wonder was able to enjoy a spectacular rendition of Michael Jackson's "Heal the World'' performed by a mass choir.

Berkeley Institute student Miss Patrina O'Connor led the 90-member group which was comprised of other students and church choir members.

Ms Dena Kaye, daughter of the late movie star and UNICEF ambassador Danny Kaye, joined the long-distance link-up from Boulder, Colorado, to commend Child Aid.

"Every country should take an example from you,'' she said.

Addressing the crowd, Education Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons said that despite the recession, Bermuda was still "a land of plenty'' compared with Somalia and the former Yugoslavia, and residents should be "mindful of their pain''.

Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade said that during this "season of giving'' -- and throughout the year -- Bermuda should provide assistance to those facing hunger, deprivation and war. "We should be our brother's keeper,'' he said.

The UNICEF-affiliated charity is hoping to top the $60,000 it raised during it's 1991 campaign. Collection boxes have been placed around the Island and donations can be made directly to Child Aid's accounts in all local banks.

IN AID OF CHILDREN -- Pre-schooler Claudia DeShields, 4, enjoys Child Aid behind a City Hall fountain yesterday.