Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines- How to Help!

Ongoing help is, of course, needed after such a disaster and now more than ever the people of the Philippines need assistance. I know it's hard for some to imagine, but this is a cause that is dear to us because of how close we are and because of our nanny, Tina, that is from there.

There are so many Philippino helpers that are here working in Hong Kong- and why do they come here, because working here they get more money than they would in their home towns. So they leave their families- only seeing them maybe once or twice a year (some less). So you can imagine what kind of state parts of their country is in, even without the typhoon that hit a month ago.

Here is the latest news from BBC News:

The UN says more than 11 million people are believed to have been affected and some 673,000 displaced.

The relief operation is being stepped up, but many are still without aid. On Wednesday, eight people died as a rice warehouse was looted, officials said.

And more here

Jack's school, Hong Lok Yuen, has been collecting donations, just as I know MANY other schools, communities, charities, and organizations across Hong Kong have. Raising money and collecting goods. It's obviously easier for us to collect goods here and send them over, but for those of you far away- giving a bit of money is the best way. 

And I can't help but be reminded of why we should give and how in the week of Thanksgiving we can think and be reminded of how very much we have to be thankful for. 

Here are a few organizations that have more information as well as ways to donate: 

1. Alabang Ladies International Group, Inc., (this is actually a group that one of my friends from Shanghai belongs to- she is currently living in the Philippines)

2. UNICEF

3. World Vision

4. Philippine Red Cross

These are just a few but here is a good site that i found through USA TODAY, click here. Loads of different websites that have further information on how to help.

We have been collecting goods for the last two weeks and it's been important to me to also explain to Jack what we are doing. He doesn't grasp the full extent of this disaster but the first question he did ask was, "Is Tina's family okay", which I thought was sweet and showed his heart. 

Here are some of the goods that we went and bought at the store- everyday items that are taken for granted. 

Not to mention the 7 or 8 bags of clothing that we brought in- I kept looking at things saying, "we have not worn this in at least a year and I know someone else will find better use out of it". But it is important to remember that this is a tropical country and they certainly don't need "winter" clothes. My nanny, Tina, mentioned that some items had been sent as such (that she had heard from friends).

Here are a few articles that I found really interesting about the typhoon and the aftermath- and how there is so much more that is effected than the loss of life, the loss of homes, etc.,

*Philippines Typhoons Disproportionately Kills Baby Girls

*Typhoon Haiyan and the language of disaster

Please continue to pray for this country, their people, the families, children and loved ones that are effected all over the world.