VINCY VOLCANO RELIEF FUND - Gabija & Friends

Hello friends, 

La Soufrière Volcano in St. Vincent & The Grenadines remains in a state of unrest (Orange Alert) after the 30+ explosions witnessed between the 9th and 22nd of April this year. Over 20,000 people evacuated from their homes in search of shelter. Facilities were not prepared to handle the volume of persons. The majority of the evacuees sought out refuge in the homes of family members or friends leaving the total numbers of persons displaced far beyond the totalled number of evacuees.

Thousands still remain in temporary housing while we await a return of stability to the most critically effected areas such as Sandy bay . The oncoming rains of the hurricane season means that Lahars  (fast moving cement like rivers of ash, debris and lumber) of great magnitude are expected at anytime. Evacuees living in the Orange Zone and some parts of the Red Zone have been given the green light to head back home even though ash is still dense surrounding them. 

The long term effects on the health of Vincy as a people due to this eruptive period (considering factors such as wide-scale poverty and covid) are still being revealed. This fund has grown beyond a fund by just Gabija & Friends  it's our drop in the bucket towards the bigger picture - where we citizens all work TOGETHER  like never before seen to restore and rise our beloved country. This is where gratitude runs at it's highest for us - thank you dear friends for putting your confidence in mine and my teams ability to stand strong through this with a clear message in mind. 

We began this fund by seeking to provide supplies to both official shelters and homes that are being used as shelters with necessary supplies such as mattresses, canned food, masks, goggles, water, diapers, sanitary napkins, paper disposables for eating and drinking.  Anything to alleviate the discomfort the evacuees might be experiencing during this challenging time. Over time our mission became more specified with the goal of mental stability as we look at the best ways to continue to aid sustainably over the coming years.
Consequent projects under this fund are focused on the stability of the home and citizens creative expression of self.

Phase one  -
Seeking to provide supplies to both official shelters and homes that are being used as such with necessary supplies such as mattresses, canned food, masks, goggles, water, diapers, sanitary napkins, paper disposables for eating and drinking.  Anything to alleviate the discomfort the evacuees might be experiencing during this challenging time. Over time our mission became more specified with the goal of mental stability as we look at the best ways to continue to aid sustainably over the coming years. The space this fund holds is to help influence in the way Vincentians progress culturally, from a more creative and conscious view of sustainable long term relief. Consequent projects under this fund are focused on stability of the home and creative expression. 

Phase 2 - Ignorance vs Awakening
The time period between phases of giving when we began to further comprehend the depth of emotional response aid was providing. It's here when we began to focus on one shelter in particular and learn from the "shelterees" stories and needs - short and long term, emotional and spiritual. 

Phase 3  - Inspired by the shelter that North Union Methodist church turned into. We began a project creating chest for evacuees still in shelters as storage that can sit and eat from and eventually take home. Handmade by our team locally sourced materials- hoping to have more recycled options! The goal is to introduce all themes respecting mother nature and human needs. Providing both jobs and comfort.
 
Click here for the visual journal.


The people of St. Vincent still need you! Our funds goals are long term not short lived!

No donation is too small, no kindness goes without gratitude or making a difference!