［日本語文は英文の下に］Welcome to Sierra Leone #notalone
Have you heard about the recent flooding and devastation in Freetown, Sierra Leone? It has left approximately more than 500 people dead, thousands homeless, neighbourhoods coated in debris and grieving communities.
Who are we?? and why did we start?
We are a group of students from the United World College ISAK Japan. Located in a small city in central Japan, we are fortunate to be part of a school that promotes leadership, diversity and taking action in the face of challenges. A few weeks after the beginning our school year, we received news of a terrible natural disaster from Sierra Leone, the home country of one student, Esther.
Here is her story:
I was in Freetown during the time of the disaster and I was literally shaken by the situation. I saw first hand how people suffered a lot during the day of the disaster and especially the first couple of days after it happened. I saw the needs of these people and it triggered a feeling in me that I want to find a way, whether directly or indirectly to support these people in times of need. Right now, they cannot even start rebuilding their life because they have find food and serve for themselves which take up most of their days. Most of their days are dedicated to finding food, cooking, and eating to live. I cannot just wait here in Japan doing nothing for my country to rebuild. I need to something and this project is what I can do.
So what exactly happened?
On August 14th, 2017 torrents of continuous rain brought a massive mudslide to the city of Freetown, Sierra Leone. A nearby mountain collapsed, ravaging through the neighbourhood leaving houses caked in mud, people trapped inside them for days while bodies piled up.
- Aid groups estimated that 3,000 people had been left homeless.
- Recovery teams lack the appropriate equipment to dig through the extensive mud and debris.
- Phone and power failures spread across the city, and some roads were impassable. Homes that were still standing were caked in mud and coated with debris.
- Fear of outbreak of diseases
- According to the latest death toll, 499 people, including more than 150 children, were killed in the Regent mudslide.
- It now has 2,000 displaced people -- around 500 of whom are children.
This disaster did not get anywhere near as much attention from the media as other catastrophes, despite its large amplitude and effect.
So our solution is......
As a response to these events, a small group of students spearheaded by Esther from Sierra Leone came together to face this issue and provide whatever we could to help overcome this tragedy for the people of Sierra Leone. Our goal is to do as much as possible as students and here are what we came up with:
- Purchasing food and clothing
- Immediate basic necessities needed to survive.
- Helping children survivors go back to school
We will work in partnership with a local organization, BRIGHT HORIZON which Esther is taking a part of in Sierra Leone and has been still in touch with, since we believe it is the most effective and fast way to meet the needs of people.
That is why we need you!
We need your help in order to achieve this ambitious target that can provide innumerable opportunities for people in the Freetown community. We need to remind them than in their pain, they are #notalone and the world is behind them, ready to bring support. Time is of the essence, and we can’t let them struggle without resources anymore. Donate today and help us bring light to this catastrophe.
Cordially,
Project Sierra Leone
PS. If you wish to donate at a level below or between reward levels, please click to 'Support' and select no reward. You can choose any amount to pledge.
ようこそ、プロジェクトシエラレオネへ。
私たちは、UWC ISAK Japan(ユナイテッド・ワールド・カレッジ ISAK Japan) にかよう生徒です。(ユナイテッドワールドカレッジとは？)８月にシエラレオネで起きた洪水を受けて、同国出身の生徒、マネ アイザッタ エスターが有志を集め、立ち上げました。
ニュースではあまり取り上げられていませんが、シエラレオネは今危機的状況にあります。洪水でたくさんの人がなくなり、避難を迫られ、ライフラインが未だ確率せず、政府も助けられる状況にない。まだ2000人以上もの人がシエラレオネでは元の生活に戻ることを夢見、しかし避難所で食料さえ分け合う厳しい生活をしています。
そんな時、私たちに何ができるのか。私たちが決めた方法はとてもシンプルです。それはシエラレオネの団体とタッグを組み、お金を集め、それらを現地でのニーズ(特に衣服・食べ物・文房具)に変えることです。日本で寮生活の自分たちは大きなことをやろうとしても現地との連携が難しい、そして災害支援ではスピード、効率、無駄なくが求められている。そんな中私たちにできる最善の選択がこれです。
幸い、エスターの母国での経験からBRIGHT HORIZONというすでに避難生活を送る人々を支援する素晴らしい団体と繋がることができ、このプロジェクトは彼らとそしてUNICEFとの連携プロジェクトとすることができました。
皆様のご寄付は全て、現地の信頼できる団体に送られ、災害からの復興に当てられます。政府や大きな団体を通すより速い、最善の方法です。
５０ドルからのご支援を受け付けています。１日でも早い復興とシエラレオネの未来のために、よろしくお願いいたします。
プロジェクトシエラレオネ
