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On Sunday August 5 a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the island of Lombok in Indonesia after days of tremors following an earlier earthquake on July 29. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced, and the final death toll is likely to be very high.
Rafael now lives in Smithers, BC, Canada with his wife Jessica and their two toddlers, but he was born and raised in Lekok, a small village in northwest Lombok where the rest of his immediate family still live. Lekok village was directly hit by the earthquake and initial reports indicate that it has been devastated. Information is patchy and the situation is still unfolding but at this point what we know is that Rafael’s family are all safe but their homes and businesses have been destroyed. They have evacuated themselves to a safer location up the hillside but lack basic services, including shelter, safe drinking water and sufficient food resources. Rafael’s mother requires medical attention, however she is not able to get medical help as the local hospital has also been damaged.
Rafael’s family are fortunate to have survived but their lives have been turned upside down. Donations will help Rafael’s family with their immediate needs and help them and their village to pick up the pieces and rebuild in the longer term. The community is small and incredibly close, always helping one another.
I have been friends with Rafael and Jessica for about five years, having met them through a mutual acquaintance in the Smithers community. When I heard that Raf’s village was directly impacted by the earthquakes in Indonesia, I set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help his family.
As we know, it takes time and money to rebuild this magnitude of destruction. Through direct donations to the family outside of this campaign, their immediate needs following the August 5 earthquake were met. The money raised from this GoFundMe campaign will be used for reconstruction and any additional goods needed to ensure the health of Raf’s family and village. In November, Raf plans to return to Lekok and distribute the funds for reconstruction. Money will be used to purchase cement, wood, windows and other essential building supplies.
We have not updated the campaign until this time as we have been waiting for the government to determine their financial contribution to the suffering families. They have allocated up to $5000 for each home destroyed, based on the destruction and assessed value. As natural disasters continue across Indonesia, government organization and efficiency has resulted. Please stay tuned for photos from Rafael’s trip home to Lekok, Lombok, Indonesia.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, on behalf of Rafael and his family.
Rafael now lives in Smithers, BC, Canada with his wife Jessica and their two toddlers, but he was born and raised in Lekok, a small village in northwest Lombok where the rest of his immediate family still live. Lekok village was directly hit by the earthquake and initial reports indicate that it has been devastated. Information is patchy and the situation is still unfolding but at this point what we know is that Rafael’s family are all safe but their homes and businesses have been destroyed. They have evacuated themselves to a safer location up the hillside but lack basic services, including shelter, safe drinking water and sufficient food resources. Rafael’s mother requires medical attention, however she is not able to get medical help as the local hospital has also been damaged.
Rafael’s family are fortunate to have survived but their lives have been turned upside down. Donations will help Rafael’s family with their immediate needs and help them and their village to pick up the pieces and rebuild in the longer term. The community is small and incredibly close, always helping one another.
I have been friends with Rafael and Jessica for about five years, having met them through a mutual acquaintance in the Smithers community. When I heard that Raf’s village was directly impacted by the earthquakes in Indonesia, I set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help his family.
As we know, it takes time and money to rebuild this magnitude of destruction. Through direct donations to the family outside of this campaign, their immediate needs following the August 5 earthquake were met. The money raised from this GoFundMe campaign will be used for reconstruction and any additional goods needed to ensure the health of Raf’s family and village. In November, Raf plans to return to Lekok and distribute the funds for reconstruction. Money will be used to purchase cement, wood, windows and other essential building supplies.
We have not updated the campaign until this time as we have been waiting for the government to determine their financial contribution to the suffering families. They have allocated up to $5000 for each home destroyed, based on the destruction and assessed value. As natural disasters continue across Indonesia, government organization and efficiency has resulted. Please stay tuned for photos from Rafael’s trip home to Lekok, Lombok, Indonesia.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated, on behalf of Rafael and his family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jessica Brandenbarg
Beneficiary