Japan earthquake/ tsunami and ShelterBox

As many of you know, another major disaster occurred in this part of the world this past week. The earthquake in Japan was just the beginning, as the tsunami that followed did most of the destructive damage. I had trouble sleeping last night as I couldn't stop thinking about all the people experiencing pain in Japan and in other natural disaster areas around the world. I have probably watched 20 YouTube video's of the tsunami as it tore threw entire cities. It's just mind boggling to comprehend the loss of life and damage that has been caused. Yes, America and Australia have faced their fair share of natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, earthquake, etc) but this kind of destruction is of different sorts.  For example, Minamisanriku is one Japanese town that was completely wiped out by the Tsunami.

COMPLETELY WIPED OUT

Once a home to nearly 17,000 people, now a wasteland of body and debris. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people are currently missing there; and that's just one town. Can you imagine waking up tomorrow with no home and the thought that many of the people you have known all your life are most likely dead. If you are not one of the dead in this town, then this is what you would be experiencing right now. Put yourself in that person's shoes for a second. Think for a moment what the woman below is experiencing in her life right now.

I have been in Australia for nearly three months and since then there have been major floods in Queensland, a huge Cyclone named Yasi, New Zealand earthquake, and now, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. The one question that I have been asking myself lately is: What can I do to help?

If you have ever studied Psychology you will have come across Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow's theory contends that "as humans meet 'basic needs', they seek to satisfy successively 'higher needs' that occupy a set hierarchy.  This is something I'm interested in as there are many people in the world today who do not have the two most important needs: Physiological and Safety. Some people are born into a world where these needs are scarce and others have these needs taken away by disasters. Most of you reading this blog today are in the top tier of the triangle, which put you at an advantage in helping those at the bottom. 

Our needs start at the bottom and progress towards the top.

Since I have been with Rotary I have been exposed to an organization called ShelterBox. This organization is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disasters worldwide. The ShelterBox is basically a 'home in a box' and contains a tent for 10 people, thermal blankets, ground sheets, water purification device, multi-fuel stove, hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers, wire cutters and drawing books with crayons for children. Check out the video below:

One shelter box costs $1000 dollars. If you get 10 people, each of you would pay $100 dollars (I'm taking accounting this semester, can't you tell). After you have donated the money you can go online and actually track your box  to see where it ends up.This is a tangible way to help those in great need. I am currently working on organizing a ShelterBox donation area on the UQ campus and hope to encourage students to help.

C.S.Lewis said, "The proper aim of giving is to put the recipient in a state where he no longer needs our gift." 

Help me give some gifts!  Click here to learn how you can donate.