I sit and write this post at the end of a long day.
A day where my two little girls arrived home from Daddy’s at 9am.
A day where we set off to visit Rosie and IJ’s at 10.15am and stayed for lunch.
A day where my mates Nic, Lu, Podda and Baby I came to visit at 2.30pm. And we sat in that bleary eyed and comfortable silence that parents can share. Supping hot drinks. Watching Misses E and M chat and play, while a tiny boy snore a little, cradled in his car seat, safe and warm and snug.
Now friends have left, and E and M are playing tennis on the wii – a quick burst of activity before it’s time to call Daddy to say goodnight then head upstairs for bath, story and bed. And though at times over the past year I have pondered over what life has in store for us; worried over finances, health, and the effects the break up of my marriage will have on my two small girls, I have never, and will never, face what another mother, with two small girls perhaps also named Miss E and Miss M, is facing today in Haiti. And she’s just one of thousands.
But we can help by sending these…
The Shelter Box provides vital supplies to people in desperate and immediate need, supplies that are:
Practical – a ten person tent, blankets, a stove, a means to purify water
Hopeful – a hammer, an axe, a saw, a trenching shovel, a hoe head, pliers and wire cutters, that mean not only can people join in rescue efforts, but they can also regroup and rebuild.
And that bring a smile - a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens.
Even the box itself can be used to store food or water, or make a bed for a small child. Nothing is wasted.
If you have anything to spare, please visit the ‘Bloggers for Haiti Just Giving Page. It doesn’t have to be a huge amount. Miss E has donated £5.20 worth of savings, and you can do it anonymously so you really can give what you can afford.
If you can’t give in monetary terms, you can give by spreading the word. Forward the link to family, friends, work colleagues, face book, twitter. We’ve already raised enough for one box. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could buy two, or three or even more?
Update: We’ve got 2 so far. Fantastic. Also, our group British Mummy Bloggers are doing a push on Monday with donations going to the Disasters Emergency Committee and you can also give to Unicef, Christian Aid or Oxfam, whichever suits you. We really can make a difference here. Isn’t blogging brilliant!!
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January 16th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
Great stuff, Jo. We have raised enough for one box already and we are well on our way to box number two!!
January 16th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Just sorry I’m late to the party. It’s just the beginning though hopefully.
January 16th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Brilliant. And I never thought of that – even if people can’t give, they can spread the word. Thanks, you’re a superstar! x
January 16th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
You’ve started something so special here babe. Glad to be part of it. x
January 16th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
The suggestion to spread the word is important. A lot of my friends here at first just didn’t know what to do. It just so happens that another friend is involved in ConcernUSA who were holding a fundraiser next month for – women and children in Haiti. They have obviously brought that all forward and a lot of people were grateful to have something concrete to contribute to.
Terrible situation.
My friend’s grandmother runs a hospital there which miraculously, wasn’t destroyed. They are literally inundated and running out of everything.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:49 am
That sounds brilliant. So many of us have been feeling kind of helpless. Its good to be able to do something.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Fab post honey! One box already and much more we can do, thanks to English Mum xx big hug x
January 17th, 2010 at 3:50 am
Awwwww she’s amazing isn’t she? I’ve not looked at the total today but last night we were at 2 boxes. So exciting.
January 16th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I have had similar thoughts and prayers for those parents in Haiti who have lost their children and the children who have lost parents… what a tragedy.
These boxes and that site are wonderful!!!
A hand up rather than a hand out.
January 17th, 2010 at 3:52 am
notasoccermum definitely. I can’t imagine what they’re going through but a hand up rather than out is a lovely way to put it.
January 18th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Love that we can do this…. makes blogging worthwhile, doesn’t it? jxxx
January 18th, 2010 at 6:32 am
It’s brilliant isn’t it. Bloggers are amazing.
January 18th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Well done Jo, amount still rising!
Tina x
January 18th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Hi Tina
Isn’t it brill. Love it.