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Rotary International Shelterbox

Thu, Oct 2nd 2014 at 12:00 am - 12:00 am

This year, Southeastern Zimbabwe has experienced the worst flooding for 40 years after a fractured dam caused over 20,000 people to abandon their homes. As one local farmer put it, "we are living like refugees in our own country".

ShelterBox helps in S.E.Zimbabwe where there is their worst flooding for 40 years.

Zimbabwe

The ambitious 16-year project to dam the Tokwe and Mukorsi rivers in the African republic of Zimbabwe was meant to bring much-needed irrigation and power to farm communities. Instead, weakened by record rainfall and flooding, the dam partially collapsed in February. The resulting swollen reservoir backed up, engulfing farmlands, drowning livestock and driving whole communities into a refugee existence dependent on aid.

Samuel Marebe, a 43-year-old farmer from Nungirai village in the Chivi district, survived the flooding and now lives in the resettlement site with his five children. He told Aljazeera's Ihsaaan Haffejee, "We were attacked by the water. My family managed to leave before our entire home and farm went underwater. Other people became trapped and had to be rescued by helicopter."
"Conditions here are difficult. With the overcrowding we are worried about the health risks to our children, and they are also missing out on their schooling."
ShelterBox has been distributing tents and equipment with implementing partner the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). This work continues now at the Chingwizi resettlement site, but ShelterBox response volunteers Liz Odell (UK) and Richard Loat (Canada) are turning their attention to the displaced children and their need for education.
In addition to providing shelter, Liz and Richard are overseeing the distribution of stocks of SchoolBoxes. These blue boxes with red lids each contain school equipment for up to 50 pupils, as well as wind-up radios, and blackboard paint and brushes that can turn any flat surface into a focus for learning. Bright yellow schoolbags containing stationery, pens, pencils and drawing instruments, become a source of pride for young people who have lost their own possessions back on the flood plains.

Philippines

Earlier this month, the world watched as ferocious Typhoon Hagupit slammed into the Philippines. The winds and storm surge flattened entire villages, uprooting trees and smashing houses to matchsticks.

We quickly mobilised a response team to assess the damage and find families most in need.

Sadly, thousands of families without homes are facing a very bleak Christmas. By supporting our Christmas Appeal, you can bring a little comfort to those who need it most.

It could be the one gift this year that brings the most happiness, warmth and the hope.

Our Vice President Mike Beecher will be playing grand piano for patrons at The Rayleigh Club's dinner on Christmas Day. 

A large yellow collection bucket invites loose change and larger donations whilst Mike entertains with jolly Christmas music and songs.

This follows after Mike's collections leading up to Christmas Day at the The Rayleigh Club's Sunday Carveries which aim to collect enough for a Shelterbox to go to a major disaster area for a family up to six. Vital equipment, food, water making device and a large tent will support them.

Last year 3 ShelterBoxes were purchased for the Philippines disaster thanks to donations from The Rayleigh Golf Resort, local Masonic Lodge raffles and other concert gigs by Mike and also by Alan Clark on behalf of our club.

Supporters of Shelterbox have helped with some of the worst disasters the world has seen, changing the lives of more than 160,000 families.

Your continued support this Christmas means we can keep moving forward, responding to more disasters and reaching more and more people. Most importantly you can make sure that families won't be left out in the cold.

You can listen to Mike's chat about Shelterbox at The Rayleigh Club with Steve Scruton on BBC ESSEX on Christmas Day at 11:45am.

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