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What can we do to help? I feel so helpless, being so far away. It goes without saying that we can pray and send money but I want to really do something tangible to help. Does anyone have any ideas?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What Can We Do?
What can we do to help? I feel so helpless, being so far away. It goes without saying that we can pray and send money but I want to really do something tangible to help. Does anyone have any ideas?
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11 comments:
hi deb,
larry and i feel the same way. i was just out working in my garden trying to pretend that all is right in the world. but it isn't working. the world never really is right but now it's just so v wrong. i believe the best we can do is send money right now.
xo
janet
I haven't been able to do a post because I feel guilty talking about what I'm doing with my house. I'm fortunate in so many ways and I can't even begin to understand their loss. I don't think there's anything we can do, realistically, for Japan's earthly needs than to give money. It took me three days of feeling helpless that I needed to give money. I gave an amount of money that hurts, many of my friends would think it's crazy but I know so many people will not or cannot afford to make a donation. But if every American, every Canadian, every person in more fortunate countries gave only $10, it would make a huge impact.
Here's a good organization to make donations to...Convoy of Hope
http://www.convoyofhope.org/go/headlines/entry/earthquake_and_tsunami_strike_japan
Also, there's Samaritan's Purse.
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
And of course Red Cross.
My husband wants to go help for a month. I doubt that will be possible though. One day when our kids are grown, I'd like for us to go help after natural disasters. We were living in FL (hubby was in school) for hurricane Ivan. It was terrible. Really. I'll never forget the day when a volunteer from Red Cross came to our house to see if we needed help/food/water. Anyway, that was like a breeze compared to Japan. I cannot imagine.
-FringeGirl
Money seems the best idea, Deb.
When there's some kind of bushfire or, say the recent floods here, the authorities were saying things like, 'If you're going to donate anything, please let it be money because then the people who are suffering will spend that money at local businesses or within their region and that helps boost the local economy which has also taken a hit'.
I watch Japan with horror. I don't know how they're going to pick themselves up. It affects everyone. Such lovely people.
Big hugs to you.
Oh Deb,
Thank you for posting this...I am just sick about Japan and have been glued to the tv. It's heartbreaking that with each day, it seems to get worse and worse. I can't even comprehend the fear and heartbreak they must be living in. We made a sizeable donation, more than we could typically afford in a month but we'll recover next month...many of these precious people never will.
I suggest also contacting the Red Cross and religious organizations...my church is collecting clothes, diapers, toys, blankets etc. and working with the govt. to get it over there immediately.
As Steve said, just imagine if everyone that was even remotely capable, donated $10 - what a difference that would make.
I was watching a segment on tv about how they have lost things that we might not even think about - glasses, pets, medicines, hearing aids.....and on and on...and not to mention all their cherished memories.
YES, I am just sick about this.
I've tried not to watch the news too much - it is upsetting to see it. After the floods here in Queensland, then the earthquake in Christchurch and now Japan...it is heartbreaking. I agree with Carmel. Donating money is probably the best thing for now.
I know what you mean Deb I feel the same. I agree with MMMC money is good, but also letting our local politicians know our feelings too I feel is helpful. It is a generalisation but the Japanese people are not only kind, respectful and generous but they are also strong.I feel very much that they will pull through this.
The urge is for a kind person to want to physically be there to lift rubble, provide food, hold orphans. It is human nature but in reality all we can do is give financial assistance so that those equipped to do so can step in.
The Red Cross is an excellent one to give to because the money is used for the actual disaster relief, and doesn't just go to administration costs. Also, they have agents already in Japan and have working relationships with the government to ensure the money is used effectively. They don't just rush in and do anything, you use it wisely for food and also to rebuild the infrastructure properly, not just quick fixes. It's an organization you can trust.
This is just the saddest situation...a really scary situation, too. I lived there for 3-1/2 years as a child...such a beautiful country. I cannot imagine going through this. The Red Cross is the way we will go, too.
We watched the news tonight and it showed an old Japanese woman who made her way back to her destroyed suburb. She was looking for dead relatives. She found someone. And an army fellow joined her, and they both bowed their heads and put their hands together and said a prayer. The army fellow said to her, "Are you all right? Is there anything I can do?" And the little old lady bowed her head again and said so respectfully and stoically something like, "Thank you. I have everything".
My heart broke, and my husband started crying. They are such a humble, polite race of people (that's a generalisation, of course), but it was so heartbreaking to watch.
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