Bloggers for Haiti

Update Monday 18th, 7pm: The total now stands at £2792.50!! Thanks to everyone who has helped to spread the word so far.

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Cameron and I have been spending a lot of time thinking about Haiti, sending our positive thoughts and researching ways to be able to help. We both decided to donate some money but we were stalled for a while after I became a victim of identity fraud and had to cancel all of my cards. Thankfully I managed to donate using paypal rather than having to wait.



I have been amazed by the amazing blogging community who have been quick off the mark to help and have already raised a lot of money.



Bloggers for Haiti have a just giving page to raise funds for ShelterBox. The total at the time of writing this post stood at £1255. Each £500 raised buys:

• 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.

You can learn more about it and donate here.


Alternatively there are several other charities working to help the situation in Haiti, details for some of them here. Donations of all sizes will make a difference and even if you can't offer any money, you can still contribute by spreading the word via blogs, facebook, twitter (#bloggersforhaiti) etc.

Also, checkout Craft Hope for Haiti on Etsy where "all proceeds of the Craft Hope Etsy shop will benefit Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. All items have been generously donated by the crafting community. If you'd like to donate an item please visit the Craft Hope website (www.crafthope.com)."