This is a ShelterBox update on the activities of our favorite NGO. There have been many diaries about the debates, Big Bird, soup kitchens and binders. I was hoping for a little moment in the news cycle that would let my diary have a little time before plunging to the bottom of the recent diary list. But we are a caring community and you all have been very supportive of ShelterBox during a crisis.
Winterized ShelterBoxes have been sent to shelter Syrian families living in Domiz refugee camp in northern Iraq.
The story at the ShelterBox site is here.
http://www.shelterboxusa.org/...
As a result of Syria’s growing violence, sectarian tensions and economic hardship, a high influx of people have crossed the border into the Kurdistan region.
Reasons for their arrival are varied - some families are fleeing from conflict in Syria’s northern city, Aleppo; some are returning to their Kurdish roots; others may have been displaced by the previous conflict in Iraq.
Many displaced families have made their way to Domiz refugee camp near Duhuk, some 60 kilometers from the Syria/Iraq border.
There are currently around 3,000 families living at the camp, with an average of 50 new families arriving each day.
THE SAHEL: NIGER & MALI
Children living in ShelterBox tents at the Kollo camp, Niger, October 2012.
ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members David Hatcher (UK) and Joanna Reid (UK) have been visiting various sites in Niger to assess the suitability for shelter distribution to flood survivors.
David and Joanna travelled to Tillaberi, the region most affected by the heavy rains over the past few months, accompanied by workers from aid agency, Femmes France-Niger, which ShelterBox is partnering with in the field.
In September, ShelterBox worked with Women and Health Alliance (WAHA) International to set up tents, housing 82 families at the camp in Kollo District.
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and as a note to those of you more involved with ShelterBox. One of our ShelterBox Response Team members has had a tough time.
SRT member Tom Schaafsma (Sequim, WA) has recently been hospitalized following an accident whilst at home. His son, Ryan, also a SRT, saved his life after heavy farm equipment had flipped over onto Tom near his home and pinned him down for several minutes. As a result Tom was not breathing for upwards of 10 minutes.
Tom has now stabilized and is conscious and smiling and the updates have been positive.
A CaringBridge website has been set up to provide updates about Tom's condition and for those interested there is also a smartphone app that you can download to receive updates too under the "Journal" field if you click "Read Journal History" you can get a full account of what has taken place since his injury.
There is also a guest book facility which has been signed more than 300 times by friends and family but I think it would mean a great deal to the Schaafsma family for the ShelterBox Ambassador family to bump this tally up.
Please send your best wishes to Tom and his family here - http://bit.ly/...
Please recommend and tip my diary. I tried to get it up earlier but not able to.
Thank you for your support of ShelterBox. I am all about supporting our President and his lovely wife, but if you have a little extra please consider donating to ShelterBox
https://app.etapestry.com/...
and/or helping me spread the word by promoting ShelterBox via social media, facebook, twitter, etc.
I love being a member of this community and owe you all so much for all that you have done, donated and promoted ShelterBox.
p.s. I was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship at my old Rotary Club. I was able to tell them how important ShelterBox is now in my life and how you folks at the Daily Kos made it happen as did my old Rotary friends in Lethbridge
Love,
TexMex in San Antonio
9:41 AM PT: Two stories about Tom Schaafsma
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/...
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/...