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Child-Friendly Spaces in Haiti
Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:51:13) (110 reads)
Disruption in Young Lives
Michelene, a nine-year old girl now living with her mother and two siblings in a displaced-persons camp, smiles softly as she nudges her room monitor--a local teacher from the same camp--over to her table where she just finished painting a triangle tessellation. She beams a huge smile as the monitor holds it up, and her classmates look on approvingly. Michelene is just one of over 4000 children who currently attend integrated education programs facilitated by AMURT in Haiti at various camps and neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince.
Like over one million others, Michelene’s home was destroyed in the January 12th earthquake. Tragically she lost two of her younger siblings when her family’s home collapsed. Michelene, her mother, sister and brother survived the quake. Four days after, the family collected a few family treasures from the rubble, and moved to the camp where they continue to live in a small shelter built with sticks and tarps.
Michelene attends AMURT’s childrens program
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News : Addressing Post Traumatic Stress in Haiti
Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:48:35) (96 reads)
Women in camps learn breath awareness and other de-stress techniques
On March 13, the AMURTEL team went to the Sitron camp as part of an ongoing program to help people with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms). Many are experiencing PTSD, due in part to the many aftershocks that rocked Port-au-Prince regularly for months after the earthquake. On this day, the camp committee announced a women’s gathering and the women quickly began spreading large grey tarps on the bare ground. The AMURTEL team had planned deep relaxation exercises and yoga, as well as stress debriefing which was organized by Gretchen from Global Grassroots, who facilitated women’s trauma recovery for the survivors of the Rwandan genocide. At first it seemed there would be plenty of room for everyone to spread out. But soon the space on the tarps was completely packed with at least 150 women and girls of all ages. Even the men in the camp had gathered around in interest.
We opened the gathering by explaining the normal reactions to a stressful event such as the earthquake. We described common experiences, such as trembling, difficulties with sleep, racing heartbeat, over-sensitivity to certain sounds, hyper-alertness etc. The women began nodding empathically and eagerly joined in the discussion; sharing their own experiences vividly. They all expressed great relief at discovering that they were not sick, but rather having a normal reaction to an abnormal event. They listened with keen interest as we described how the stress-regulating system in our bodies, intended to help us survive trauma, can remain active in ways that become unhealthy. We then led the group in a series of breathing exercises, followed by some loosening stretches and yoga exercises. This was followed by a session of relaxation, with slow, regular, timed breathing designed to awaken a relaxation response and turn the stress system “off”. The women were elated to share how they felt lighter and rested and hopeful that they would be able to return to normal again. They had learnt techniques they could practice on their own, which were simple and easy to remember. The session ended with singing on a joyful, uplifting note. The singing continued, echoing from the hills even as we walked out of the camp.
For more information on AMURTEL’s work in Haiti please visit www.amurtelhaiti.org.
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News : Relief to Displaced People in Haiti
Posted by support on Friday, May 14, 2010 (23:45:29) (101 reads)
Children from the Sitron camp
Distribution and Relocation
Over the past month we have seen a shift in our emergency relief as some camps have emptied, with the people moving on to other areas of Port-au-Prince or, if they are able, to the provinces. Other camps have either grown or shrunk in size. Currently we are serving 11,440 displaced persons in 14 camps near our Bourdon Center. We are providing latrines, tarps, food, water, diapers, vitamins, clothes, and ongoing medical care to those most in need. In April and May 2010, eight of the camps are being forced to relocate due to the threat of flooding from the approaching rains. Currently our community organizers spend time each day meeting the camp leaders and the women, finding out what is most needed, what are the biggest concerns, and then translating this information into action as we find ways to help the people find solutions.
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Schools Double as Disaster Shelters in Myanmar
Posted by support on Sunday, November 08, 2009 (07:08:11) (358 reads)
At Kan Su (pictured above), the children have just moved into their new school building. They love the airy spaciousness and light provided by the high ceilings (12 feet high) and many windows and promise to take good care of their beautiful new school.
AMURT & AMURTEL built five primary schools and one middle school in five villages in the delta area. All the schools are built to act as community shelters against future cyclones. They are equipped with disaster risk reduction features to withstand wind speeds of more than 100mph and earthquakes measuring up to 7.5 Richter Scale. The floor level is above that of the highest tidal surge.
Instead of individual classrooms, the schools consist of one or more big halls to hold 2,400 persons in times of disasters. The big halls help the short-staffed teachers manage more than one class each. They also serve as gathering places for community functions. A rainwater collection system, sanitary toilets, a library, health corner, administrative room and covered corridors are other features of our well-designed schools.
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Better Houses for Cyclone Nargis Survivors
Posted by support on Sunday, November 08, 2009 (05:51:26) (360 reads)
International NGOs estimate that 450,000 houses were destroyed and 340,000 damaged by Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, and more than 2.5m people affected. Today, more than one year later, only about 17,000 new houses have been constructed while the damaged houses have mostly been patched up with weak, temporary materials. Much more is needed to help the cyclone survivors.
Some of the 500 Houses provided to communites affected by Cyclone Nargis by AMURT & AMURTEL and its partners.
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News : AMURT Indian flood response
Posted by support on Thursday, October 08, 2009 (03:25:21) (448 reads)
More photos here.
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states were lashed by torrential monsoon rains in late September 2009 which resulted in the worst flooding in decades. More than a million people are still living in temporary camps and food supplies to several millions have been severely disrupted.
AMURT & AMURTEL volunteers from the two states along with reinforcements from around India distribute water, dry foods, clothes and blankets. We also provide urgent medical services as well as psycho-social care. The operation has benefited more than 100,000 people in the last two months.
We need donations to meet the needs of all those people who have lost everything.
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News : AMURT in Indonesian earthquake response
Posted by support on Thursday, October 08, 2009 (03:16:33) (395 reads)
 
More pictures here.
An earthquake and subsequent aftershocks near the city of Padang in Indonesia left 1,000 confirmed dead and several thousands missing. Half a million people were left homeless and the city's infrastructure severely damaged. 83,712 houses, 200 public buildings and 285 schools were destroyed and another 100,000 building severely damaged.
As an immediate response AMURT & AMURTEL provides tents and food to people affected by this disaster. In partnership with local communities and international agencies we are building a comprehensive program for vulnerable for women and children.
For this essential care program we are asking for your donation.
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News : Volunteer Diary 2 - Myanmar
Posted by support on Sunday, August 09, 2009 (08:36:04) (435 reads)
 
When AMURT & AMURTEL in Malaysia organized a Charity Jumble Sale for our school reconstruction program in Myanmar in March 2009, Cathy Liu chipped in by running a stall selling a few hundred cups of jelly which she had made herself. Then in May 2009, she joined Usha on a trip to Myanmar to see the AMURT & AMURTEL operations there for herself. Below are Cathy’s impressions.
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News : Earthquake in Italy appeal
Posted by support on Thursday, April 09, 2009 (11:46:17) (252 reads)
AMURT Italy are collecting money to rebuild a school in the earthquake area. The location and the name of the school will be transmit later after the first phase of relief.
Besides we are finding a team of psychologists and experts to assist the persons traumatized from the earthquake.
The donation can be done by bank
Monte dei Paschi di Siena – Parma
Account number 1020753 in the name of AMURT
SWIFT / BIC: PASCITM1785
IBAN: IT 25 G 01030 12706 000001020753
Info (Satyavan) +39 0521 929826 – mobil +39 338 2706837
AMURT Italy Coordinator
www.amurt.it
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