Colby Global Disasters Relief

With so many disasters happening around the world in the past few weeks, a lot of us have been left with the question: What can I do? Members of the Colby community have been directly affected by these disasters, losing homes, schools, and other resources. Although we can’t rebuild Dominica’s infrastructure destroyed by hurricane Maria or Sierra Leone’s schools and hospitals lost to the Mudslides, we believe that every little effort counts. So of course we can do something. The Colby African Society along with seven other student organizations are joining forces to raise money for Dominica, Sierra Leone, and Mexico, countries from which our fellow students have been affected. All the money raised will go to the following local organizations:
Dominica, Grace Foundation: Grace Foundation was created to provide disaster relief assistance after the tropical storm Erika, and to provide school supplies to foster elementary school education. Since its creation, they have provided hundreds of students with books, backpacks, pens, pencils, lunchboxes, and built a preschool playground. They are small but targeted, so a 100% of the funds they receive will go to the hurricane Maria disaster recovery process. These funds are needed to purchase and ship tarps, chainsaws, hammers, nails, buckets, water tanks, and generators. They will also establishment small scale water filtration systems and rebuilding of elementary schools.
Mexico, Omaze: Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal are working with Ambulante to raise urgently needed funds to rebuild hospitals, schools and homes that have been severely affected by the earthquake. Ambulante is a grassroots organization which has organized community programs all over Mexico for the past 12 years. Ambulante will receive and distribute 100% of the funds directly to local organizations and social initiatives dedicated to helping those most affected by the earthquake.
Sierra Leone, Street Child: Street Child began their work in Sierra Leone in 2008 working with a small number of street children to provide education opportunities. Their work has grown to include rural areas that have never had a schools or rebuilding classrooms that have been destroyed because of disaster or conflicts. Street Child will spend 100% of all donations received for short and long term relief. They will provide food, shelter, and water, and ensure that affected children are able to restart school.
Due to the urgency of the matter, our goal is to raise 10,000 USD by October 11th, 2017. Please donate and share with friends, families, acquaintances, and even generous strangers. Every dollar counts.
Thank you,
Colby African Society, Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, International Programs, Global Friends, Global Health Collaborative, International Club, Colby Muslim Society, Student Organized Black and Latinx Unity, Pre-Health Society, Students for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, Multi-faith Council