W.Virginia Emergency Relief Mission
Donation protected
Our mission: We are raising money for a response trip to Coal River Valley of West Virginia. We will be engaging three towns within this region: Prenter, Naoma, and Whitesville. Our goal is to support residents in these communities who are dealing with severe health issues and effects from mountaintop removal mining, coal slurry contamination, flood-ravaged lands, and a massive spill of 4-MCHM in January 2014, that left more than 300,000 people without clean water. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/09/west-virginia-spill-anniversary_n_6437352.html )
Sample water collected from a home in Prenter.
Toxic water from a Prenter resident's water heater.
Damage caused by flooding due to mountaintop removal mining
Who are we: We are Herbal Medics, a 501c3 non-profit entity, which provides self-sustainable, botanical, and integrative health care answers to populations both locally and around the world. We provide medical assistance in remote, post-disaster and underserved urban environments. We also implement a truly self-sustainable model when doing relief missions, including epidemiological sources (e.g. contaminated water), self-sustainable nutrition (e.g. community and permaculture influenced gardens), cultural integration (e.g. education and building long-term cultural relationships) and logistical support (e.g. off grid engineering and water filtration systems).
How we'll use the funds raised: The funds raised will be used to finance a week-long period that will provide a unique opportunity for students and expert teachers (which include both medical and engineering military veterans) to provide health services (at least 3 clinics) and work on water purity solutions for the residents. We will be working and organizing with our new WV Herbal Medic Chapter, Aurora Lights Herbal Medics, to support front lines groups RAMPS (Radical Action for Mountain People's Survival) and Coal River Mountain Watch . The volunteers will be working within the parameters of their internship hours while gaining valuable insight and experience. We will have 2 engineers, 12 herbal medics, and four staff members attending this clinical event.
The $10,000 budget funds requested are broken down by as follows:
$4000. Estimated cost to create medicinal formulas, salves, etc. for a full functioning herbal medicinal clinic with first aid supplies
$1500. Estimated costs for clinical materials to include tarps, PVC pipes, lashings, bottles, jars, measuring equipment, nitrile gloves and dispensary tools
$1000. Estimated cost for water purification systems and supplies: sand, charcoal, water holding tanks, PVC piping, gravel, etc.
$2000. Vehicle rental: (2-3) vehicles (vans and truck) for staff and transport of material
$1000. Fuel and food
$500. Emergency fund
Our partner organizations will provide all lodging. The funds will be used in the month of September.
This response trip to West Virginia is meaningful not only to Herbal Medics but also to residents of the three communities we are supporting in the Coal River Valley. We are going to an area that has deep roots in gardening, wildcrafting, and living close to the earth. Our partner organizations are invested in the sustainability of this project and eager to work with us to create long-term solutions. This trip will allow us to better assess our potential as a healing organization as well as evaluate the recovery of these communities.
Our gratitude cannot be measured but only shared with all who help make this clinic happen. However, our appreciation truly belongs to those we serve and aid in regaining their well-being and health.
To learn more about these communities and the work that must be done go to www.JourneyUpCoalRiver.org, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joM3tken3s8, and http://herbalmedics.org/portfolio/coal-river-valley-w-va/
Sample water collected from a home in Prenter.
Toxic water from a Prenter resident's water heater.
Damage caused by flooding due to mountaintop removal mining
Who are we: We are Herbal Medics, a 501c3 non-profit entity, which provides self-sustainable, botanical, and integrative health care answers to populations both locally and around the world. We provide medical assistance in remote, post-disaster and underserved urban environments. We also implement a truly self-sustainable model when doing relief missions, including epidemiological sources (e.g. contaminated water), self-sustainable nutrition (e.g. community and permaculture influenced gardens), cultural integration (e.g. education and building long-term cultural relationships) and logistical support (e.g. off grid engineering and water filtration systems).
How we'll use the funds raised: The funds raised will be used to finance a week-long period that will provide a unique opportunity for students and expert teachers (which include both medical and engineering military veterans) to provide health services (at least 3 clinics) and work on water purity solutions for the residents. We will be working and organizing with our new WV Herbal Medic Chapter, Aurora Lights Herbal Medics, to support front lines groups RAMPS (Radical Action for Mountain People's Survival) and Coal River Mountain Watch . The volunteers will be working within the parameters of their internship hours while gaining valuable insight and experience. We will have 2 engineers, 12 herbal medics, and four staff members attending this clinical event.
The $10,000 budget funds requested are broken down by as follows:
$4000. Estimated cost to create medicinal formulas, salves, etc. for a full functioning herbal medicinal clinic with first aid supplies
$1500. Estimated costs for clinical materials to include tarps, PVC pipes, lashings, bottles, jars, measuring equipment, nitrile gloves and dispensary tools
$1000. Estimated cost for water purification systems and supplies: sand, charcoal, water holding tanks, PVC piping, gravel, etc.
$2000. Vehicle rental: (2-3) vehicles (vans and truck) for staff and transport of material
$1000. Fuel and food
$500. Emergency fund
Our partner organizations will provide all lodging. The funds will be used in the month of September.
This response trip to West Virginia is meaningful not only to Herbal Medics but also to residents of the three communities we are supporting in the Coal River Valley. We are going to an area that has deep roots in gardening, wildcrafting, and living close to the earth. Our partner organizations are invested in the sustainability of this project and eager to work with us to create long-term solutions. This trip will allow us to better assess our potential as a healing organization as well as evaluate the recovery of these communities.
Our gratitude cannot be measured but only shared with all who help make this clinic happen. However, our appreciation truly belongs to those we serve and aid in regaining their well-being and health.
To learn more about these communities and the work that must be done go to www.JourneyUpCoalRiver.org, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joM3tken3s8, and http://herbalmedics.org/portfolio/coal-river-valley-w-va/
Organizer and beneficiary
Joey Suzann Shaw
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Suchil Coffman
Beneficiary
