Drought/Farmers Relief - Road Trip Support

[woven_wings]

Hey Ladies :wave:

A bunch of friends (about 17 others so far!!)and I have decided to go on a road trip to remote south australian farming areas affected by the drought.

We will be going over the Easter Long Weekend, from the 5th to the 9th of April.

We are going to be billeted in teams in homesteads across the areas, paying the families for our accomodation and food and petrol and transport while we stay there, to also help the families financially. While we are there we will be helping with the effects of the drought and will be helping to build/fix fences, feed the animals, build buildings, fix houses/sheds/barns, paint houses, help with digging wells and dams, help with crops, cook meals, working towards giving these people something to smile about, etc.

We will also be taking up animal feed, dog food, household groceries, food stuff, etc (all donated).

I would love to really bless the people I work for even more. I would love to provide more food and animal feed and other needs for these families.

I am looking into fundraising and collecting donations and was wondering whether anyone would be interested in helping these families out? Does anyone have any clever fundraising ideas also?


You can read about the effect of the drought on families here (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP107703.htm).

It’s Hard



It’s hard when the wind blows hot from the west
And your will to survive is put to the test
When it’s just not enough to be doing your best
God it’s hard.

It’s hard when the dams dry up in the mud
And your hopes and your dreams hit the ground with a thud
When you’re losing the land that’s a part of your blood.
God it’s hard.

It’s hard when the drought lasts three seasons or four
And you’re knocked down and just can’t get up from the floor
When you can’t tell what tommorrow has waiting in store
God it’s hard.

It’s hard when the paddocks turn brown from the heat
And the dead cattle’s bones are as white as a sheet
When the sheep all drop dead with a pitiful bleat
God it’s hard.

It’s hard when the wind blows the soil from the ground
And the dusts swirls in clouds around and around
When you’re looking for hope and it cannot be found
God it’s hard.

It’s hard when the bank wants its money and more
And the government just takes more from the poor
What do they know about keeping the wolf from the door?
God it’s hard.

There are times when all you can do is refuse
To lay down and die or say “what’s the use?”
But sometimes there’s not much more you can do
God it’s hard.

Graeme Philipson

[Becteria]

Wow what a great idea! What kind of help do you want and how?

Have you considered corporate sponsorship?

[flower]

I didnt see 'tree planting' on your list. We can still plant one tree per each property you visit. Its a well known fact that trees create their own environment and actually help in drought shadows.....it's a little overwhelming to turn up with a hundred for one property....but one.....anyone can toss the empty water from their tea pot on a casurina here and there.

[mumski]

Hi,
What a wonderful idea, any gesture of kindness that you are able to achieve I'm sure will be well received.

Everyone has a story to tell, so even just spending some time chatting with the local mums and listening to their stories, especially the positive ones about why they love living there despite all the hardships, will be something that you'll enjoy and they will benefit from too.

Perhaps you could organise a small community 'event' even just a morning tea so that a few of the locals can get together with each other and you to share their experiences.

There's a lot of power in talking and listening...

I'm so proud of you for initiating this project to get out and help the farming families, well done and all the best with it.

Peace

[Horseymum]

Good on you Megan:thumbsup:

How about getting people to sponsor an animal? I saw this on a program where people sponsored an animal of a drought effected farm...money raised helped with feed etc...

Just a thought...

[woven_wings]

Thought it was about time for an update... :thumbsup:

Still in the works. We have worked out the town we are going to, its an Aboriginal name, pretty long and Ive completely forgotten. If I remember I will edit this to add it. Its about 5 - 6 hours from Adelaide.

We are borrowing 4 wheel drives as to get up there, it is mainly dirt roads and rough terrain.

About 18 of us going - how good is that? :D

Too many now to be billited in homesteads BUT we arranged with a school in a nearby area to stay in their gym. We will be staying in their gym/assembly area just on mats (BYO) on the floor. We are paying the school to stay there, as they need the money.

We will still work in teams/groups of 4 to 5 people and each be assigned to a property/family to assist in any way they might need!

I am SO excited!

ATM I am having trouble with work, getting the time off, especially in retail around Easter but fingers crossed... I will do everything to be on this trip... Im not not going!

:D

[mumski]

Great work, please pass on congratulations to the rest of your team, you're all doing such a generous thing.

[woven_wings]

Thanks for the support! :hugs:


UPDATE
ALL DETAILS IN PLACE!! :smiliedance:


DROUGHT RELIEF


Where: Nepabunna
Population: 60
When: Thurs 5th April - Mon 9th April


What we are doing: Work projects, putting on a community dinner, distribution of relief supplies.


Transport/Accomodation: We will be borrowing and begging for people's 4WD to get up there. We will be staying in an old school.


Cost: Pay your own pay, pay your food and accomodation and transport costs.
:yelclap: SOOOOO EXCITED!

[mumski]

Hi Megan,
That sounds fantastic, have you organised any publicity? Sometimes hearing others' stories inspires others to contribute to making a difference in their own way too and you might find sponsors who would like to be involved with your project too.

[woven_wings]

Nah I havent, dont think they'd be enough time anyway.

Do you reckon people on bubhub would be interested in sponsoring a cow, cattle dog or sheep to directly help to support farmers and their families effected by the drought?

Because I could set up something like that.

And donation could go to community development, food parcels, stock food, dog food, etc.

[mumski]

Hi, I'm happy to help you throw together a media release which you could also use as base for a letter to sponsors. You've still got a few weeks before you go so you should have enough time if you wanted to. It's a great cause and I think there will be others in your community who believe in it as much as you do. I'll pm you.

[woven_wings]

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO! :smiliedance:

Just found out weve got $12,000 to buy and supply farmers with hay, food stuff, household stuff and to work on work projects and such!! From the Baptist Church Union's Christmas Appeal! :D

AND we might be getting 2 4WD's donated for our use, petrol paid!!! :fingerscrossed:

Because Nepabunna is a primarily indigenous community, and the money donated is only for use in the drought relief and for farmers, we will probably not be based there anymore. We want to be able to make a HUGE impact with this money. So we are thinking of maybe going to Hawker (closer = less driving) because there are ALOT of struggling farmers and families up there... the drought has also hit really hard there too.

Just trying to finalise some things and get us a hall or shed or something to sleep on the floor of.

How good is that? :D

[mumski]

Congratulations, that's fantastic news!! Well done!:smiliedance:

[Ashleigh<3]

Is there anything you'd like us to donate Megs?
Cans of food or bottles of water?

[woven_wings]

Is there anything you'd like us to donate Megs?
Cans of food or bottles of water?

Sorry! Ive checked with the mods, I cant collect things on here for donation... because our trip is not a registered charity.

Thanks for the offer anyways.

[woven_wings]

We now have $14,000!!! :smiliedance:


& Someone donated a truck, including petrol to use!!


We are buying hay and thousands of dollars of it and transporting it up by the truck!!


We have also had someone donate 4 wool crates full of clothes in excellent condition and they are paying the transport costs!


AND!! Someone donate the leftovers from their beauty product buisness! Boxes and boxes full!


:D :yelclap: :smiliedance:

[Horseymum]

Thats really awesome Megan - it is really affirming to think that there are projects like this going on...

[Ffrenchknickers]

That is oooo awesome:yes: Well done and keep us posted:clap:

[mumski]

Well done Megan!!:smiliedance:

[woven_wings]

:thumbsup: Thanks ladies!

[M O P]

:yelclap: well done so far and all the best

I hope you do go to Hawker. The people of Hawker had the cruel blow of being flooded out in Jan but the water just ran straight past- quickly, and only basically managed to wipe out roads and fences. Then what was repaired was wiped out again in Feb with other big rains :banghead: They really must feel they can't win.

Hawker is a lovely part of SA with some lovely people-I hope you really enjoy your experience.

[woven_wings]

UPDATE
:wizard:

LOCATION: Based in Hawker, will be making trips to stations up to 3 hours drive from Hawker.


STAYING: Tenting hopefully on a powered site. In large tents (sleep 8 to 10 people). Campervan taken for 2 of the children and their 2 grandparents, other young child in porta-cot in tent with others.


PEOPLE GOING: Mainly Young Adults, will be 5 small children coming along with their parents/mother. 2 grandparents and one middle aged male. Will be spilt into working groups. About 20 to 25 ppl going.


MONEY GOING TO: Primarily fencing now that we are based in Hawker. So fencing supplies will be purchased and trucked to Hawker prior to our arrival. On our arrival we will sort and ration the supplies (will be alot with $14,000). Also to sheep dog food and hay. And food for food parcels (we have contacts with Food Bank for cheap food).


JOBS: Fencing, painting, odd jobs, distributing care packages (tolietries, clothing, easter eggs, gifts, food, etc), suppling BBQ for local community, electrician work, supporting familes by talking and helping with spiritual needs, being involved in the Easter picnic/service put on 40km out of Hawker every year - all sorts of jobs here + much much more!


TRANSPORT: By a army people carrier (fits 15 ppl) and 4WDs. Bringing trailors, a BBQ Trailor and hopefully :fingerscrossed: a portable cooler.


How cool is that? :D


Kazza - if you know of anyone in Hawker, willing to travel up to 3 hours out of Hawker to to the stations out there in need of a helping hand for odd jobs or wanting some totally free fencing and maybe some help with the fencing over Easter, let me know! :D

[Ffrenchknickers]

Wow, great to see it all going ahead:) Well done...cant wait to hear how it goes:thumbsup:

[woven_wings]

Thanks Katie, you are such a great support! :D

[woven_wings]

4 DAYS TO GO!!! :D :yelclap: :smiliedance:

[tyesmum]

Hi :wave:

I think what you guys are doing is great! Is there anything like this happening up here in Queensland? We are on level 5 water restrictions now, and no doubt our wonderful farming community are feeling it and would have done so well before we did!

I am happy to donate food whether it be human or animal or both, I am also doing a major cull of my wardrobe so clothes are available too - newborn, young boys, my clothes and my partners.

I am happy to help where at all possible as i believe every little bit helps somebody!

Sarah xx

[woven_wings]

Thanks for your message.

Basically its only us, were just doing this and weve set it up off our own back. I wouldnt really know about QLD.

We are not able to take donations as it is against the rules of bubhub. I will PM you explaining this.

Thanks Sarah!

Tonight and Tomorrow to go!! :smiliedance:

[M O P]

Megan I'm so sorry I only just saw your response to me.
I don't really personally know anyone around Hawker, but you should pm Doin'mybest, her Dad has a place near Hawker-I'm pretty sure. If it's not too late.

[woven_wings]

Hi all!

Thanks for all of you who have supported this trip and sent love and encouragement. The trip was life changed. Amazing. Mind blowing! :hugs:

The video of the trip can be found here:
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?p=1325467#post1325467

Thanks so much!