Bloggers for Haiti
UPDATE: We have received a lovely message from James at ShelterBox:
‘ShelterBox would like to say a big thank you to the Bloggers for Haiti group. The money that you raise will help alleviate the suffering of people all over the world who have lost everything due to disaster and we are exceptionally grateful for your support.’
Original post:
So some eminently sensible person once said that nobody ever gets rich from blogging. This, I fear, is true. However, it does have some advantages. I’ve been to Walt Disney World, Florida, for example, and I’ve been invited places and given things, and well, suffice it to say I’m very lucky.
The other advantage is that I’ve met (both in person and electronically!) loads and loads of really nice people. My commenters, for example, are supportive. They laugh at my jokes. They sympathise when I’m miserable, cheer my successes and commiserate my failures.
So you know me, right? Well, if you’ve read even a tiny portion of all these thousands of words, you should have some idea. I don’t ask for much. I don’t even ask that you visit if you don’t want to. But seeing as you’re here, I’d like a favour. With several of my blogging friends, I’ve created a JustGiving page for the Haiti disaster. I’d really, really like to be able to collect enough money to send one of these amazing ShelterBoxes. They cost around £500. That means that if just 50 of you give a tenner (and what’s a tenner? A bottle of wine? – or two if you drink crappy ones like me), we’ll be able to pay for a whole one just on our own. Multiply that by all the amazing bloggers dotted across the globe, and we could really make a difference.
ShelterBox is such a unique organisation, because what they provide is an entire rescue kit in a box. Each box contains:
- A ten-person tent with privacy partitions that allow its occupants to divide the space as they see fit
- A range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall
- Life-saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself.
- A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters. These items enable people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Then, when it is possible, to start repairing or rebuilding the home they were forced to leave.
- A wood burning or multi-fuel stove that can burn anything from diesel to old paint. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.
- Each box can be adapted to the individual needs of the disaster area, for example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged from one storey buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so ShelterBox just sent tents, packing two in each box. The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past – from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newly born baby.
- And lastly, but I think just as importantly, each box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. For children who have lost most, if not all, of their possessions, these small gifts are treasured.
So a small donation, then? That’s all I ask. And then I’ll feel like I’ve really achieved something out of blogging. Even if it doesn’t make me rich. Thanks xx
http://www.justgiving.com/Bloggers-For-Haiti
Oh and if you’re a blogger, please join us in promoting Bloggers for Haiti. You’ll be amongst some serious blogging legends!
(Please note that if you prefer, you can also donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake appeal and UNICEF by clicking on these links.)
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