Help Venezuelan Refugees
Donation protected
I don't fundraise much (to the dismay of the organizations I am involved in) because I know my friends would get tapped into non-stop with my constant volunteering.
Every now and then, I feel compelled to do it. You all have been so generous towards the refugee cause when I was in Greece, Lebanon or Bangladesh, and I am coming to you today asking for donations so I can buy items on the ground for the Venezuelan refugees during my upcoming trip.
I know this is an expensive time of year and I understand not everyone is in a position to give. Those of you who know me well, know I'm always reluctant to ask - and the only reason I do it is because I really see a need, and I sadly don't have enough to tend to it on my own. I'm well-aware that there are strong anti-migrant sentiments out there, and I hope you are able to look past the politics and focus more on the fact that human beings, like you and me, are hurting and need some assistance.
The Venezuelan refugee crisis is the most underfunded in modern history (on a per capita basis, the international community has spent $1,500 to help each Syrian refugee and $125 per Venezuelan refugee). Venezuela is expected to become the country with the most displaced people living outside of the borders (at the present time, it is 2nd to Syria). I am absolutely not discouraging you to help the Syrian refugee community, who is very dear to me, and needs our support as well. I am only highlighting the substantial need I see in a huge crisis that is getting very little attention from the media. Reportedly, 4.7 million people have fled Venezuela in recent years - 16% of the country's population. Venezuela has become one of the most violent countries in the world. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the undernourishment rate has quadrupled since 2012. Also, the U.N. estimates that the limited access to medical treatment and life-saving medication is putting 300,000 people's lives are at risk.
I'll be spending the holidays at the Colombia-Venezuela border this year (see the marker on the map!) and I would like to bring a bit of comfort to these people - many of whom arrive at the border with nothing, not even the $30 they would need to take an 18-hour bus ride to Bogota. Left with no other option, they walk. I'll be joining a wonderful, small grassroots organization, On The Grounds International, and if you prefer to donate to the organization rather than to this campaign, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so! In my experience, many people prefer to see their money go straight to tangible items, and this is why I am setting up this campaign.
Human suffering absolutely shatters my heart and if you can do so, I would really love your help this holiday season. None of the money I raise will go towards my volunteering expenses. I work hard and live simply so I can finance my volunteering trips on my own! I will spend every dime of your donations on the ground, towards the needs of the refugee community. One of the huge needs for the refugees is socks. The cost of living is relatively low in Colombia, and I am told we can get socks for 30 cents a pair. Imagine how many refugees we could supply with a pair of socks before they embark on days and days of walking to the capital! Once on the ground, I'll be able to evaluate other needs (possibly shoes or backpacks?) and hopefully tend to those, as well. I hope to be connected enough during my trip to post regular updates for you.
As I have done in the past, I'm setting a low goal... because I don't have a goal! If all I raise is $1, then that's still 3 pairs of socks going to 3 refugees. No donation is too small. However you wish to be involved, whether it is through a monetary donation, helping me spread the word on the severity of the situation, or through good thoughts (I'll take those, too!), thank you.
Thank you for putting up with my constant need to bring disaster, refugee and other humanitarian issues to you. I am where I am today, and I am who I am today, because people have helped me. This includes complete strangers who will never know that they had an impact on my life. We can all be that stranger for someone.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
With love,
Sabine
Every now and then, I feel compelled to do it. You all have been so generous towards the refugee cause when I was in Greece, Lebanon or Bangladesh, and I am coming to you today asking for donations so I can buy items on the ground for the Venezuelan refugees during my upcoming trip.
I know this is an expensive time of year and I understand not everyone is in a position to give. Those of you who know me well, know I'm always reluctant to ask - and the only reason I do it is because I really see a need, and I sadly don't have enough to tend to it on my own. I'm well-aware that there are strong anti-migrant sentiments out there, and I hope you are able to look past the politics and focus more on the fact that human beings, like you and me, are hurting and need some assistance.
The Venezuelan refugee crisis is the most underfunded in modern history (on a per capita basis, the international community has spent $1,500 to help each Syrian refugee and $125 per Venezuelan refugee). Venezuela is expected to become the country with the most displaced people living outside of the borders (at the present time, it is 2nd to Syria). I am absolutely not discouraging you to help the Syrian refugee community, who is very dear to me, and needs our support as well. I am only highlighting the substantial need I see in a huge crisis that is getting very little attention from the media. Reportedly, 4.7 million people have fled Venezuela in recent years - 16% of the country's population. Venezuela has become one of the most violent countries in the world. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, the undernourishment rate has quadrupled since 2012. Also, the U.N. estimates that the limited access to medical treatment and life-saving medication is putting 300,000 people's lives are at risk.
I'll be spending the holidays at the Colombia-Venezuela border this year (see the marker on the map!) and I would like to bring a bit of comfort to these people - many of whom arrive at the border with nothing, not even the $30 they would need to take an 18-hour bus ride to Bogota. Left with no other option, they walk. I'll be joining a wonderful, small grassroots organization, On The Grounds International, and if you prefer to donate to the organization rather than to this campaign, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so! In my experience, many people prefer to see their money go straight to tangible items, and this is why I am setting up this campaign.
Human suffering absolutely shatters my heart and if you can do so, I would really love your help this holiday season. None of the money I raise will go towards my volunteering expenses. I work hard and live simply so I can finance my volunteering trips on my own! I will spend every dime of your donations on the ground, towards the needs of the refugee community. One of the huge needs for the refugees is socks. The cost of living is relatively low in Colombia, and I am told we can get socks for 30 cents a pair. Imagine how many refugees we could supply with a pair of socks before they embark on days and days of walking to the capital! Once on the ground, I'll be able to evaluate other needs (possibly shoes or backpacks?) and hopefully tend to those, as well. I hope to be connected enough during my trip to post regular updates for you.
As I have done in the past, I'm setting a low goal... because I don't have a goal! If all I raise is $1, then that's still 3 pairs of socks going to 3 refugees. No donation is too small. However you wish to be involved, whether it is through a monetary donation, helping me spread the word on the severity of the situation, or through good thoughts (I'll take those, too!), thank you.
Thank you for putting up with my constant need to bring disaster, refugee and other humanitarian issues to you. I am where I am today, and I am who I am today, because people have helped me. This includes complete strangers who will never know that they had an impact on my life. We can all be that stranger for someone.
Have a wonderful holiday season!
With love,
Sabine
Organizer
Sabine Taras Thompson
Organizer
Phoenix, AZ