I wanted to give a heads up about the charity we will be supporting this year. We should be able to accept credit card payments on the night, so no more worrying about finding GBP!
HUSK is a charity that supports poor families living in Cambodia (often monthly salary below $40). During the KL/Siem Reap Do in February this year, we did a couple of activities (such as a day-in-the-life experience where you help out in a local village) and were all moved so much we bought a number of water filters for families.
We have asked for a shopping list from HUSK in order to transform lives. Below is their ideal list - looking at it, we should be able to buy most if not everything:
$1200 - Enables us to rebuild an entire house for a family
$65 - Provides the family with a water filter - giving them the ability to drink safe, clean water
$120 - $180 - provides a village with a water well - this prevents them having to cart water from long distances
$200 - provides a chicken coop and chickens - providing food for the family
$180 -provides a flood proof vertical garden - providing food for the family
$100 - provides rainwater harvest and collection system - enables them to grow the fruit and vegetables
$20 - enables us to plant a range of fruit trees, with good soil and bamboo protection
In addition, we would like to collect items that are useful for a number of poorer families as below. We should be able to ship 32 kg for around $150, so it's worth doing. Perhaps we can all collect a few toothbrushes and buy a top from Primark!
soap (non whitening)
shampoo / conditioner
toothbrushes - children's and adults
Toothpaste
School back packs
Coloured paper
Markers
Glue / Scissors / staplers
Lined note books
Pencils and pens
quality 2nd hand clothing like shorts, t shirts, light tops - nothing too revealing, low cut, thin straps etc - both adults and children
Flip flops, crocs- shoes that are easy to slip on and off
Quality 2nd hand soft toys