The earthquake in Haiti has left a trail of destruction and devastation. Thousands and thousands of people have been killed or injured and many many more have been left homeless wondering if their relatives are alive or dead. They have no food or water and this has really struck a nerve with me. My heart bleeds for these people. I know there is devastation on a daily basis, but not on this scale. I wish that I could just go out there and help. It is the humanitarian in me. I feel helpless.
I read, somewhere in the blogworld, about Shelterbox rescue kits, and that this blogger (please forgive me, I can't remember where I stumbled across it) was raising money to send these Shelterboxes to Haiti. I can't for the life of me find this blog again, so I am going to do the same. I know so many people on the internet because of facebook, my photography forum and twitter, I thought that between us all, we could maybe raise the £490 to buy at least one shelterbox rescue kit.
The kit 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.
If you can spare even the smallest amount of money, please go to Donations for Haiti and donate whatever you can.
I posted on twitter and asked several celebs to re-tweet my message. Only one has so far, but that was Slash from Guns n Roses. All hail to the guitar god.
I have to be able to at least raise enough for one shelterbox rescue kit. Please help!
Thank you
