Needs in Chile and Haiti

When earthquakes struck Haiti and Chile last year, GEMS was able to send much needed supplies. As time passes, the attention of the world drifts, but dire needs still remain. We’ve been asked to send a container to each country. All the goods have been donated and collected. We are waiting for partners to finance the transportation. We need $7000 for each container, a total of $14,000.

Earthquake Victims Say Thank You

After receiving food, clothing, toys, shoes, household goods and medical supplies, residents of El Monte, Chile show their gratitude to their friends in Canada!

There is Soup in Chile

The volunteers in El Monte work tirelessly to distribute packages of soup mix provided by the Abbotsford Gleaners. As the region slowly rebuilds, food shortages continue so these people were very grateful to receive these supplies.

Chileans eagerly pickup needed clothing

Residents in El Monte, Chile come to pickup clothing, toys and shoes sent from GEMS Langley warehouse in cooperation with the Chilean emergency Committee in Vancouver, BC.

Volunteers unload aid for Chile

Volunteers worked hard to unload the container of aid sent by GEMS from Canada. Clothing, food, household goods and medical supplies were trucked by more volunteers to points of need up to 500 km away.

Planning for Distribution in Chile

Community and church leaders in El Monte, Chile gather to plan the distribution of recently arrived aid sent by GEMS from Canada for the victims of the earthquake.

Help Arrives for Chile

On Thursday, July 15, 40 volunteers left El Monte, Chile to travel through the night to Lota, a small city of 45,000 devastated by the earthquake of late February and subsequent looting. Arriving at 6 AM the volunteers went to work immediately and worked tirelessly for three long days until climbing aboard the bus Sunday evening, they once again travelled through the night to their homes and to be back at work the next morning.

One of the primary tasks of that team of volunteers was to distribute the aid sent by GEMS in cooperation with the local Chilean community to the needy people in that region. Excerpts from the report filed by the team follow:

we left… by municipal bus, travelling about 10 hrs., but no matter, since the group had tremendous enthusiasm…. On arrival at the meeting place in Lota, at nearly 06:00 hrs., our contact brother was waiting with hot soup prepared by the sisters of the local church together with its Pastor, it was a blessing to be there, the low temperature didn’t matter, nor the strong wind that was blowing, nor even that the place awaiting us was social housing, the important thing was that we had arrived to fulfill the purpose of God for humanity; to bless them.

… One of the most moving visits we made that morning was to “las Cabañas” which consisted of a great many families who had been brought here after the earthquake. The houses were half-full of jars of water brought by the government to the affected families.

There we fulfilled our mission of aid, seeing the needs & how happy the children were to receive a toy, a doll or teddy bear, where children went door to door seeking articles of clothing for small brothers & sisters, never mind for themselves, where pregnant women did likewise to have clothes for their baby-to-be.

Baking for Chile

The relief we were able to send to victims of the earthquake in Chile was made possible through the work of many tireless workers. Our own volunteers once again rose to the occasion. However, the shipments would not have been possible without the work of the help of many people both in Vancouver and Victoria. The first container has arrived in Chile and will be unloaded in the town of Del Monte within the next few days.

Following is a letter sent from the Victoria Public Library.

Chileans look to GEMS for help

The Chilean Emergency Committee in Vancouver, BC has asked GEMS and our team of volunteers to help with aid to their earthquake and tsunami stricken country. The local communities in Vancouver and Victoria are setting up temporary collection depots and organizing fundraisers. In addition to funds, the following goods are needed: non perishable food (should have at least 6 months of shelf life), baby formula, medical supplies, diapers for adults and babies, blankets, tents, sleeping bags, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, home tools (including nails & screws), kitchen utensils in working order, winter clothing in good shape, school supplies, toys, power generators.

These goods will be brought together and shipped from our Langley depot.

Aid For Earthquake Victims in Chile

While not as severe as the recent earthquake in Haiti, the one that hit Chile on February 27 has displaced an estimated 1.5 million people. GEMS has already received pleas for help and preparations are being made for shipping much needed supplies. Fundraising efforts are underway in Victoria and Vancouver, BC. If you can help, please do. In addition to funds to help with shipping costs, there is a need for:

• Medical supplies
• wheel chairs, canes, walkers
• clothing and shoes (gently used or new)
• diapers (for adults and babies)
• blankets and sleeping bags
• tents and tarps
• kitchen utensils
• building material (eg. lumber, nails)
• Tools (eg. hammers, saws)
• power generators