Does anyone know how I can volunteer (in person) for Tsunami relief?

[coeur_de_lion]

I want to go overseas and help.

[Sweet Freedom]

1. Try contacting the Red Cross

they may be able to point you in the right direction.

(Good for you and good luck. If you do go, keep us posted.)

[coeur_de_lion]

3. They told me they are overwhelmed with requests and can't keep up

Said I should try back in a few weeks. I want to get moving NOW.

My sister used to work for them and from what she said this is a typical response -- they don't want help when they need it then they complain they don't have help when they can't find it.

[Angry Girl]

2. YOU ROCK!!!! Check out this link for Doctors w/o Borders

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/volunteer/field/

If this doesn't work for you, check out the homepages of some of the charities listed here:

http://nightweed.com/tsunami_victim_aid.html

[coeur_de_lion]

4. Did apply to Drs. without Borders, THANK YOU.

Best lead I've gotten so far. I put my application in and I'm follow up as soon as their NY offices are open. They take administrative as well as medical personnel. I am administrative but I did get my EMT certificate years ago and it can't be too hard to get re-certified.

I also applied to Peace Corps, that was an extremely long and excruciating application (almost as long as Drs. W/O Borders) so I hope SOMETHING goes through. I have already been to the other website you listed, and through that site and many others I think I've applied via phone or email to about 25 different agencies. If that doesn't get me over to Indonesia then I guess it simply isn't meant to be.

[Angry Girl]

5. Try calling these people too...

http://www.sarvodaya.org/

Sarvodaya HQ
No 98, Rawatawatta Road,
Moratuwa , Sri Lanka
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]

Either way, I'm pretty sure if you simply go (start getting your vaccination shots now, as well as tetanus) and show up wherever and start pitching in, you will find your place in the scheme of things.

Good luck! Keep us updated!

P.S. Bring water purifiers. Check these places out for some solar water purifiers. Maybe they will donate some units.
http://www.solarwaterpurifier.com
http://www.solardyne.com/floatfloatso.html
http://www.aqua-sun-intl.com

[coeur_de_lion]

6. I did get in contact with them via email and this is what they said:

thank you for your offer.

but the cost of flying you here, we cannot afford and if we had that kind of money, it can build a few houses in the villages.

ram

[Pallas180]

7. You express what many of us feel - we wish to personally help - I think i

it's interesting that the cost of the flight could build houses.

How much does the flight cost?

Wonder if we could get the cost of a few houses together on DU and send it to a builder over there? Or send a builder over there.

Any home builders on DU?

I bet Jimmy Carter would know how to tell us to go about that.

Maybe we should write/ask him?

[Angry Girl]

8. organize charter flight wit other volunteers

Maybe some airline(s) will help out too?

[coeur_de_lion]

9. I've applied to the Peace Corps and I understand there is a guy

in my town (very distant "shirt-tail" cousin) who is in local politics who may be able to get me an "in." I'm going to call him tomorrow. One of the friends who gave me a recommendation for the Peace Corps said that he heard on the news that they want anybody who wants to volunteer. They said something like "if you have vacation time coming, now would be the time to use it." They want to put people on planes and send them over.

So hopefully this guy can point me in the right direction. I will certainly tell him about all of your recommendations, if I get to meet with him, and maybe he can make some suggestions. Bless his heart, he is a Republican, not everyone is perfect, but he may be able to help us. At least I know he comes from a very good family; his mother and uncles and aunts are friends of mine. He's a nice guy.

I'll keep you all posted.

[coeur_de_lion]

10. yes do, absolutely, write Jimmy. He would jump on it, if he hasn't already

[coeur_de_lion]

11. UPDATE

As far as my going, I spoke to the Peace Corps, who said that they are NOT a relief organization but a "community building" organization and as such would not be doing anything with Tsunami relief.

My cousin has been in contact with the local politician I mentioned who will check further for me tomorrow and see if there is anything going on in FL where they are actually sending PEOPLE.

His wife had an interesting point to make -- what do you think that the Tsunami victims are most in need of right now? Food? Water? Money? Body bags? No. What they are most in need of are FISHING BOATS. And they are evidently very specific as to what size and type they need to be. There must be so many people out there stranded with no way to get out or in except by small fishing boat.

When I know more about the fishing boats I'll post here, and I'll still update on whether I am going to go.

[coeur_de_lion]

12. Volunteers Needed Who Can Dial International Numbers!!

Volunteers Needed Who Can Dial International Numbers!!
LOCATORS ONLINE (www.locators-online.org) urgently needs volunteers who can dial international numbers. If you have access to a phone where you can dial an international number, or have a satellite phone,

please email [email protected]

sakreha at 12/30/2004 12:17:14 PM | 0 comments | Post a Comment | Want to help

http://tsunamihelpneeded.blogspot.com/

scroll down to find the above post -- if anyone has a good international phone calling plan, this could be a way to donate time and money.