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In her August 2018 Newsletter, Tess Widdifield, the Rotary and Community Fundraising Manager for Shelterbox Canada and a member of The Rotary Club of New Westminster, talks about Shelterbox responding to the flooding in Kenya, the volcanic eruption in Guatemala, and current Shelterbox operations in Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, the Phillippines, throughout many countries in Africa and in the Caribbean. Here's more of her newsletter....
SHELTERBOX OPERATIONS UPDATE: JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY ON FACEBOOK FOR LIVE OPERATIONS UPDATES FROM SHELTERBOX HQ. JOIN US LIVE
REMINDERS:
SHELTERBOX HERO PROGRAM - The ShelterBox Canada Hero program recognizes the ongoing dedication and support of Rotary Clubs in Canada who believe that no family should go without shelter. Rotary Clubs are recognized based on their total annual giving throughout the year. There are three ShelterBox Canada Hero levels: Bronze ($1,200+), Silver ($3,600) and Gold ($6,000). In appreciation, each ShelterBox Canada Hero will receive a Hero certificate, digital badge for their website and recognition on our webpage. Find the current list of Hero Award winners at shelterboxcanada.org/hero
YOUTH EXCHANGE CHALLENGE - The ShelterBox Youth Exchange Challenge is an exciting opportunity for participants of the program to develop many personal skills all while supporting a Rotary Project Partner and making a real difference to communities around the world. The challenge is simple. Students are encouraged to spread the word about ShelterBox and fundraise for our work around the world in their local community or with their host Rotary Club. Sign up your District by getting in touch with us at support@shelterboxcanada.org
VOLUNTEER WITH SHELTERBOX - With the new Rotary year upon us there are so many ways to be the inspiration and make a difference in our communities and around the world. ShelterBox is looking for more dedicated individual across Canada to join our volunteer team. Whatever skills, knowledge or spare time you have, you can play a vital role in ensuring no family goes without shelter. Learn more about our various volunteer roles and how you can get involved in the 2019 Rotary year by visiting us at shelterboxcanada.org/volunteer
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE: ShelterBox Nomination - Exciting news has landed: ShelterBox has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of our humanitarian efforts in areas of extreme conflict around the world. We are truly honoured by this nomination and will keep you updated with any further news as it happens – the winner is announced in October 2018. Thank you for helping us ensure no family goes without shelter.
SHELTERBOX UPDATE:
Kenya Flooding: More than 290,000 people have been forced to leave their homes across Kenya, after heavy rains and floodings washed away whole villages.The devastating flooding was caused by intense downpours in the highlands, swelling the rivers as they made their way towards the sea and bursting the banks. Farmland was covered in a layer of silt. Goats and hens drowned and grazing pasture is now under water. Lives and livelihoods have been hit hard. We are working with local organizations and Rotary groups to understand how we can help provide emergency shelter to help families start rebuilding their lives. Our teams have visited two different counties in Kenya to understand the problems that families are facing right now. Families that used to live in Malimo village were forced to leave their homes when the floodwater swept through. The village now shows only a few remnants of habitation – a roof with no walls, a couple of piles of sticks – but no sign of the 104 family homes that were once here. The community is now sheltered under tarpaulins in Kakuyuni Camp, about four kilometres away. We are determined to help as many families as we can, in Kenya and around the world. We are determined to help as many families as we can, in Kenya and around the world.
SHELTERBOX AND ROTARY IN GUATEMALA: Update from the field : In June, Guatemala was left reeling after the most violent and devastating volcanic eruption in 44 years. The Fuego volcano spewed lava, ash, rocks and deadly hot gas onto hillside villages, killing over 100 people. Hundreds of families are still living in schools and churches. Sanitation and privacy is poor, as these buildings were not designed to house so many people. We have provided small tents that are being used as safe spaces to give families some privacy and preserve dignity. Our teams have now left Guatemala, but distribution of tents doesn’t end here. We have been working closely with Rotary, who will continue to help families who need it most. Read more about Guatemala here
CURRENT DEPLOYMENTS: ShelterBox and Habitat for Humanity: The latest ShelterBox deployment info can be found at www.shelterboxcanada.org/operations-update
ShelterBox is also responding to the ongoing conflict in the Syrian Region and in Iraq, conflict and flooding in Ethiopia, in the Philppines after tropical storms, in the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma and Maria. We are working in Somaliland due to the ongoing drought, and in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria due to the ongoing Boko Haram violence. ShelterBox is constantly monitoring weather patterns and conflict situations around the world and remains ready to respond at a moments notice thanks to the ongoing support of Rotary Clubs and Rotarians around the world.
Partnership in Action As the new Rotary year begins, we look back at our partnership with Rotary International and the amazing things we have accomplished together by working hand-in-hand. Watch Rotary Partnership video here
ShelterBox Canada – 159 Jane Street, Office 2, Toronto, ON M6S 3Y8
E: support@shelterboxcanada.org T: 647.352.1930 www.shelterboxcanada.org
ShelterBox and Rotary are official project partners in international disaster relief. ShelterBox is a registered charity independent of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation. Since 2012, we have been neighbours, friends and community leaders. Their aim is to create positive, lasting change in communities at home and all over the world.project partners with Rotary International, a global community of 1.2 millionRotary has supported ShelterBox from the start when a local club championed the simple idea to package up essential shelter items in our now-iconic ShelterBoxes. As ShelterBox grew, so did Rotary support, and we are now international project partners in disaster relief. This partnership has helped us to become who we are today. Our global network of ShelterBox affiliates, which provides all-round assistance, evolved from Rotary relationships.
Rotarians and Rotary groups all over the world help ShelterBox in a variety of ways. In addition to tireless fundraising, they provide invaluable assistance during our responses. With more than 33,000 clubs worldwide, Rotarians are able to give us first-hand knowledge of many of the countries in which we respond, logistical and operational assistance and vital links into communities. This personal, community connection helps us to provide just the right support to enable people to lead in their own recovery – to make sure that our work has a lasting impact. One of the ways we recognize the incredible support of Rotary Clubs in Canada is through our ShelterBox Hero Program. Learn more about the awards and see a current list of winners.
About ShelterBox Canada: ShelterBox Canada is a registered charity that has been a part of the global ShelterBox network since 2010. We have a team of over 120 volunteers across the country who share their passion with us and help us raise awareness and fundraise across the country. There are ten Canadian ShelterBox Response Team members who work tirelessly with the rest of the International Response Team to deliver aid to families who need it around the world. To learn more about our board and staff click here.