I’m often amazed at the strangeness of the blogging world – that I should somehow enjoy laying my heart bare for all to see, that you should somehow enjoy reading it, that you should want to comment (sometimes) on what you read and that I should draw such strength from those comments and from the knowledge that I am not alone.
The truth is that we are all connected. You see something, however small, in my experiences which chimes with events in your own life and feel moved to reach out to me as I reach out to you.
But sometimes, something comes along which is much bigger than my ramblings or your very precious sympathy, something which means that we have to go from feeling a tentative connection, to really making a positive gesture.
We’ve all seen the pictures of the chaos in Haiti. No water, no food, no shelter. Thousands dead, thousands dying. We have to do something. Please do this with me:
This is a Shelterbox. It costs £490. They need lots of them in Haiti. It contains:
* A ten-person tent. Obviously I know nothing about camping, but apparently this is the business.
* Drawing books, crayons and pens. They may not seem like essentials, but if it were my children who’d lost everything, I know their receiving these little things would mean the world to me – and to them. * Thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets.* A life-saving means of water purification. * A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters.* Every item is durable, practical and new, including the box itself, which can be used for anything from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newborn baby. *A wood burning or multi-fuel stove – that can burn anything from diesel to old paint – and pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.
Just reading through that list makes you inescapably aware of how grim life is going to be in Haiti for months, if not years. It’s not Dulwich, my dears. We are truly the lucky ones.
How to donate
In the past, I’ve been moved by calamities but have not known how to contribute. This time, it couldn’t be simpler. Just click on
http://www.justgiving.com/Bloggers-For-Haiti
Let’s show that blogging does have a purpose and a point. Let’s turn compassion into action. I’m off to give something now. Not a fortune – I’m a divorcee for goodness’ sake – and you don’t have to give much either, a fiver is plenty. But let’s do something, together. Will you join me?
January 16th, 2010 at 8:44 am
I donated last night via DEC xx
January 16th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Well done you xx
January 16th, 2010 at 8:58 am
For anyone also wanting to donate via DEC (coordinating aid to Haiti) here’s the link: http://www.dec.org.uk/
January 16th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Eloquently put. So nice to feel that one is really doing something for a change xx
January 16th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
Thanks to you, fabulous English Mum, for starting all this off and helping us to do something so positive. You are wonderful xx
January 16th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I know exactly what you mean. Some of the mummy bloggers are having a big push on monday to help raise funds for the DEC – in situations like these often it feels as though there’s nothing you can do but blogging for Haiti feels like exactly the right thing to do.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Hi Liz, that’s great news, I’ll look forward to participating on Monday. The DEC link is listed above if anyone wants to donate now
January 16th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Thanks for posting this. The pictures coming out of Haiti are so scrambled and chaotic looking, that it makes it even more vivid. I’ll donate, and let me know if there’s anything else I can do. I’ll also post a link from our blog to this post.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Thank you so much! That’s fantastic – much appreciated
January 16th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Brilliantly put DD. We can really make a difference here, even if it is just a small one, it is nuce to know we can do something rather than sitting here feeling completely helpless.
January 16th, 2010 at 11:28 am
You’re so right, Rosie. Loved your post xx
January 16th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Lovely post – their suffering puts all our woes into perspective. Sadly I had already made a donation through DEC immediately they announced the appeal yesterday. But I am with you in principle!
January 16th, 2010 at 11:27 am
Well done you for donating, DEC is doing great work x
January 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Brilliant post as always lovely. English Mum has done us proud.
January 16th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
She really has. Proud of her and of us all, making a difference I hope xx
January 19th, 2010 at 1:23 am
I love to see mum bloggers ban together for the greater good. Well done!
January 19th, 2010 at 4:41 am
Yes, it’s been great, proud to be a part of it all