Update July 30, 2021 (from Eric):

A year ago some of the worst rains and flooding in memory hit this area. Flooding and mudslides swept away houses, gardens and jobs as plantations were hit hard. This has left many in dire straits. There is little government help available and what help there is in the private sector is stretched very thin. We are pitching in as we can.

Things are getting organized on this project. Several local groups are going to be part of this. Rita, one very busy woman, among other things looks out for people in bad spots. She found a grandmother whose daughter left her with three grandkids, 1.5, 5 and 9. They were missing a lot of meals and the house is rotten and termite eaten.

 They are now getting basic food so that they aren't hungry any more. She at least owns the land.They were sleeping in a wood frame with woven strings so she got them a thin mattress. While bringing it in they bumped a door support and it turned to dust. Then it was discovered most of the house is in this condition.

 So after getting several of us on board this is going to be addressed. There will still be a dirt floor but concrete footers and five runs of concrete block for lower walls. Then a new metal roof and framing. It will be 8 by 4 meters. To many in the first world it would look like a shed but for them it will be a big life change.

 This is going to be our first like this. We are providing a lot of the funding. If you would like to contribute to this and other things we are doing please consider a donation. We have the information on our blog or you can contact Fiona Burky and she can help.

 We also were able to help with a vaccination clinic who put out a request for help as they had no blood pressure cuffs. A local group was able to get ten headed this way and we were able to fund two of them.This might not seem like a big deal to many but to those out here in this more remote area it actually is!

From the home office:  

 Eric posted quite a few photos of this family's situation on the IMS Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/444644079017550

 If you want to donate to help this family,  please go to the "Donation Information" link at the right side of this page.  Should you wish to donate in a manner other than mailing a check to the home office, or using Paypal, please use the Contact Form at the side of this blog and we will return your message.