No one could fail to be moved by the news footage of the terrible disaster in Haiti which has been devastated by an earthquake. Thousands have died.
To see that little baby pulled from the rubble yesterday floored me, my children are safe, they have parents and their future is pretty much mapped out.
 
English Mum had the idea to set up a Just Giving page  Bloggers for Haiti to raise money for shelter boxes for Haiti earthquake victims.
Already enough money has been raised for nearly three boxes and the page was only put on yesterday. Each box costs approximately £490.
I saw on the news yesterday  shelter boxes being sent out  by air.

If you had been thinking of donating but just haven’t had the time or couldn’t find where to please use this site.You can donate very quickly and easily here. They even take paypal.

It would mean so much, survival basically, for  these desperate people who have absolutely nothing now.
Please, please if you can spare anything at all it would be wonderful. A cost of a magazine to you could mean protection from the elements for up to ten people.

Each shelter box contains the following:

Shelter
At the heart of every ShelterBox is a ten-person tent. It is custom made for ShelterBox by Vango, one of the world’s leading tent manufacturers, and is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Internally, each tent has privacy partitions that allow recipients to divide the space as they see fit.

A smile
Every box contains a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. For children who have lostmost, if not all,their possessions, these small gifts are treasured.

Warmth and protection
In addition to the tent, the boxes contain a range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a 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.

Self sufficiency
A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters can be found in every box. 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.

Fit for purpose
Every item is durable, practical and brand new. 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.

A heart to the home
A key piece in every box is either 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.

Adaptability
We keep a broad range of equipment in stock so we can adapt the contents of a box to a specific disaster. For example, following the Javanese earthquake in 2006, when some resources were available locally or could be salvaged fromone storey buildings, the overwhelming need was for shelter – so we just sent tents, packing two in each box.

 Thank you, lets all try and just do a little to help these poor people.