In my lifetime, which isn’t that long, I’ve been witness to many disasters, both natural and from our own doing. I’ve watched the news broadcasts, like everyone else, without a second thought aside from the “normal” reaction of “that’s horrible!”, or “how sad!”. It never really affected me emotionally like the disaster that has hit Japan. Over the last week I’ve been awestruck by the devastation that has left so many family’s homeless and starving.
If asked, I wouldn’t be able to tell you how or why there’s been a sudden change in the way I’m viewing disaster. Why the efforts of so many countries pulling together to help a distraught nation is now causing me to feel inadequate in my own efforts. It could be the news coverage, endless videos, heart breaking images, or God saying “hey! sitting on the couch watching isn’t helping anyone!”. Regardless of the reason, that’s what I want to do. Help. But how?
Photograph from Asahi Shimbun, Reuters. A woman mourns the devastation of Natori, Miyagi Prefecture, in northern Japan on March 13. www.news.nationalgeographic.com
Photograph from Kyodo/Reuters. Rescue workers search for Japan earthquake victims amid shattered houses in Tamura, Iwate Prefecture, on March 14. www.news.nationalgeographic.com
This is where I’ve struggled. I’m not a famous photographer. I don’t make endless money. I’m not Mike Colon or Steve McCurry. As a matter of fact, like most average Americans I struggle to make ends meet in a suffering economy. I do what I can just to make sure my family has basic necessities. Yet still I can’t help but think that just having that much is more than our Japanese counter parts.
Picking the right charity/organization/relief effort is a pretty daunting decision. Theres the Red Cross, Shelter Box, International Medical Corps, Global Giving, Convoy of Hope, and the list goes on and on. I came to the conclusion that I needed to help the most individuals I could, with what little I had to offer. So starting immediately, Corlis Gray Photography will be donating 20% of every penny earned to the disaster relief efforts in Japan. This money will go towards buying Shelter Box’s that will be sent to family’s in Japan who are without food, shelter, and water. These box’s contain a disaster relief tent that can house up to a family of 10. A children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. For children who have lost most, if not all,their possessions, these small gifts are treasured. A range of other survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, essential in areas where temperatures plummet at nightfall. Where malaria is prevalent mosquito nets are supplied, as well a life saving means of water purification. Water supplies often become contaminated after a major disaster, as infrastructure and sanitation systems are destroyed, this presents a secondary but no less dangerous threat to survivors than the initial disaster itself. A basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters enables people to improve their immediate environment, by chopping firewood or digging a latrine, for example. Key items are either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove. The multi-fuel stove can burn anything from diesel to old paint. Some boxes also contain our specially designed wood burning Frontier Stove, pictured below. This provides the heart of the new home where water is boiled, food is cooked and families congregate. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers. And a several month supply of food. More information about the Shelter Box can be found here: http://www.shelterboxusa.org/about.php?page=9
Even if your not in the market for pictures. I strongly urge you to give. Every little bit helps. Shelter Box accepts any size donation and will provide you with a box number that can be tracked so you can see where the good you are doing is going.
The future of the entire human race depends solely on our capacity to love one another regardless of race, color, religion, or status. I personally wouldn’t let my children, mother, or anyone else I could help, go without a place to stay or food to eat. So there is no reason to let someone else’s loved ones do the same. We as a country are blessed beyond belief and it is because of that, that we are obligated to help those who are less fortunate when we can.
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