Miss N is at it again.

Getting the pens and sending them to Miss N’s PO Box two years ago was a good experience. I don’t know why I didn’t write about it (the only additional mention of the project was in this post where I said I was going to ship out the pens), but it was a wonderful experience. Not sure why I didn’t send anything out last year or earlier this year. Bakit kaya?

But I am so glad that this Christmas, Miss N will be off to Bobon, Northern Samar to bring books to children.

Find out all about the project and how you can help at Nortehanon.

I hope you do more than check it out. Children’s books don’t cost a lot.

My little nephew is sick, read all about it – Get Well Soon, Amir!

Oh and by the way, my sidebar is wonky. I am truly sorry for all who have been trying to click through. Pray it gets fixed soon.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch ONE’s new video “The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity” and sign the petition to world leaders.

http://act.one.org/sign/hungry_no_more/?referring_akid=2663.1783287.MBx1hf

The reasons for the famine in the Horn of Africa are complex and solutions are difficult, especially in Somalia, but we can’t lose sight of some simple facts:

1. 1. 30,000 children have died in just 3 months. Thirty thousand. With over 12 million people at risk.
   2. Famine is not a natural catastrophe – drought doesn’t have to lead to famine. It can be prevented, as we’ve seen in much of Kenya and Ethiopia.

In the 21st century, it’s an obscenity that people are dying because they can’t get enough food to eat. Every one of those 30,000 children is part of a family – a son, a daughter, sister or brother. We can’t imagine what it must be like to starve to death, but most of us know what it’s like to lose someone we love.

Please watch the film and make use of the voice you have — sign the petition.

http://act.one.org/sign/hungry_no_more/?referring_akid=2663.1783287.MBx1hf

It will make a difference in putting pressure on world leaders to do more to help those in need right now, and live up to promises already made to invest in the things proven to work – early warning systems…irrigation…drought resistant seeds… and of course, peace and security.

Thanks!

Text copied from One.org. Posting here instead of sending via email blast to friends.

Unlike Ondoy though, our place wasn’t heavily affected. Yes, we had floods, but not as bad as that nightmare of 2009. A few days after leaving the country though, Pedring still continues to make lives of countless Pinoys a living hell.

Many areas are still flooded. Hundreds of families have no safe and dry homes to go to. They are cold, wet, and hungry. Hundreds of babies are in need of milk. Some communities are cut off from aid because bridges have been destroyed or roads blocked by landslides. There’s not enough rubber boats to get to where the people are.

Although Ondoy left us with lessons and perhaps we already are somehow better prepared for disasters, it is once again proven that we haven’t truly mastered disaster preparedness. What’s worse, this lack in direction for what to do with babies in evacuation centers needing milk just show how government has yet to prioritize the special needs of children in times of disasters. I understand, hindi naman talaga inaasahan. Who knew that the land was so saturated with water that it can hold no more? Who knew the floods would be that bad? But the whole point of disaster preparedness is preparing for the worst.

Hindi man tayo maging handa kaagad-agad, sana man lang mas mabilis na natin na-momobilize ang resources at tulong pag nandyan na ang sakuna.

Watching the news the other day, Dad and I couldn’t help but exchange comments on how disgusted we were about the inefficiency and inadequacy of service. Hay. The death toll during the actual typhoon wasn’t much, hihintayin pa bang madagdagan in the aftermath?

But whining won’t do anyone any good. So to re-channel my energies, here’s some info on where you could send help for the victims of September’s latest pasabog:

• The Philippine Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org.ph/donatenow
• The Angel Brigade: http://www.facebook.com/groups/145564996085/ (if you don’t have the money to donate, but have the time to help packing, then join the Angel Brigade)
• ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya – they are accepting donations at the Pinoy Big Brother Concert Hall. You may reach them at (02) 411-4995 for necessary arrangements

I’m sure there are many more groups accepting donations, these are just a few I would trust with whatever little I can donate. If the Angel Brigade still needs helping hands this weekend, I’m hoping the boyfriend and I can go get involved.

Lastly, I just really wanted to take a minute to thank the Universe for sparing my family from any harm this season. I don’t always verbally say thanks for every little blessing, but I am always grateful and appreciative.

A big fire razed the school last Friday, and nothing was saved. The Local Government is prioritizing the rebuilding efforts. The children must have their school back.

As for Zoan and her friends/townmates, they are pooling funds together and raising enough money to sponsor the school’s Drum and Lyre Band. Their town fiesta is happening soon and the kids are touted to play. However, all they’re instruments were torched in the fire. To make sure they have something to practice on, and that they perform, Zoan is hoping to raise enough money to sponsor a drum or two, or more.

I am pretty sure that the school needs so many things and they need them fast. The more they have to wait on funds and/or manpower to rebuild, the more that the kids are behind on their school work. I think it’s wonderful that Zoan is rallying people to take care of this one particular concern of the school band instruments. Somebody has to think about these things right?

Interested in making a donation? Hop on over to the the Farm Girl Blogger and find out how.

Sent an email to them a few days ago inquiring about being one, and I received a prompt response. I didn’t get to sign up right away, but after watching DaphneOP’s video of her recent trip, I just had to.

Check it out and be moved too.

Donate to UNICEF!

I thought carefully before posting about making the pledge or not. But I wanted to share this video, and it seemed relevant to proudly say that I am again working with UNICEF, albeit in a different capacity than I used to.

And speaking of UNICEF, remember this photo? It’s from my  I Love UNICEF post.

The current project is #afundforjennie and you can read all about it here. I’ve read Jennie’s story, possibly from The Pioneer Woman first, but there are many more who have consoled with her, and even more celebrated her husband’s life by baking his favorite Peanut Butter Pie.

I don’t consider myself a food blogger – but I follow quite a lot of them! And they are a wonderful community, this video is testament to that:

Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey from Todd Porter & Diane Cu on Vimeo.

But BWOB isn’t just for food bloggers! It’s for all bloggers, everywhere!

Okay, so you don’t get lost, here are the relevant links to learn more about BWOB and it’s first project:

• Bloggers without Borders
• Jennie’s Kitchen
• Donate!
•  

There are many ways that bloggers come together in support for each other, or to rally support for various causes and charities. As for me, I try to spread the word and I help where I can. Through BWOB, I hope to continue doing that.

Check them out today!

I know nothing about Hotel with Heart, but I am hoping that they follow through with their claim and they really donate pencils to DTC’s Kariton Klasrum.

Go checkout their FB page and lend your digital signature in exchange for a donation of pencils.

I just remembered Nortehanon and her Pens of Hope. I should check back with her and find out if she’s accepting donations again for this school year.