I am sure most of you who are reading this would have already read about the devastating affects of the recent Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) that has left more than 10,000 people dead, and more than 4 million people affected, homeless and displaced. As a British Filipina, knowing that the Philippines is a Country prone to typhoons, hurricanes and strong storms a fear does set upon you when warnings of huge weather events occur. You worry especially for you family, pray that they will not be affected, hurt or left in ruins. You worry about your family's homes and businesses, and the other means that affect their livelihood and jobs. This time round all I can say is that I am so thankful that our home towns were not affected, and that everyone dearly loved by me are self and well. However, this is not the case for Millions. Looking at Media coverage of the storm, I am heartbroken to see so many people negatively affected. Homes are gone, food is scarce and loved ones are dead. In the UK we are so blessed to not be situated in hurricane prone regions, or tectonic boundaries and live in a developed country that has strong infrastructures and controlled populations. We are blessed that no matter how low our income may be in a global comparison we live happily in the top 30% of the worlds richest, and in that I am asking readers to donate anything they can and can spare to help the relief efforts. There are many charities that are taking donations, and you can see who they all are with a simple google search. I have left the links to three below, that you may want to support. Thanks in advance guys. xx
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Photo: Ben Wetherall Design: Natalie Fabello aka Me The shoot I was working on last week is finally up here! You might remember the behind the scenes of this shoot, the end results have come out fantastically and I am super proud! Go team. Last tuesday I attended an Art auction I was invited to by some people my boy has been working with. I donned some heels and headed to Westborne Grove in West London and enjoyed an evening of art, champagne and sports media people spotting...
The world is pretty bomb, and the people in life that get to cross your path at some point are even more so. Take my friend Heather, though 5281 miles away from me in London and her in Arizona USA, manages to be an awesome encouragement and a big supporter in me, and what I am doing with Bamboo. Plus she sent me a handwritten letter a few weeks back that was just pure positivity so that alone gets big points. Anyway, back to Heather...she is super talented and has a big heart and with that you should totally know about her...
Last night I watched this: Now you should visit this: http://www.i-heart.org/
I have just read an article from Trace magazine. It covered the journey of photographer Nadia Bettega travelling to Cote D’Ivoire located in the Western region of Africa. The Cote D’Ivoire region has the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the West of Africa; this article highlights the personal stories of 10 Ivorian Women from when they first received the news, how they dealt with it and what they are doing when moving on. These women are part of IDEAL, (INITIATIVE DEVELOPPEMENT ENVIRONNEMENT AFRIQUE LIBRE), an initiative set up for the affected community from several persons with a background of working in Non-Profit humanitarian organizations. They deal and tackle with the issues that accompany HIV/AIDS such as stigmatization, poor healthcare and poverty. The full article can be found here: http://www.trace212.com/pdf/TRACE_85.pdf page: 40 The article really challenged me in my knowledge of AIDS/HIV sufferers, dispelling a lot of misconceptions I had, especially in regards to the fatality of it all. Here is a snippet Testimony from one of these beautiful and brave women. Below are the portraits Nadia had taken as part of her campaign and study in this area. These shots just continue to fuel my love of African material. I love that their everyday clothing are these wonderfully coloured and patterned outfits.
You know when you have one of those days when you look at friends, your friendship circle and even the people you are acquaintances with and just take stock in how they play in your lives. Sure we have those friends that maybe we wish we could do without for some reason or another, or that random that you know enough for them to be on your BB list but never actually talk to, but I am sure the majority of the people you would choose to surround yourself with, carry out your life with are people you love and enrich you in some way or another. My tight group of friends are people that I adore, BUT this post isn't even about them...
I have a friend I met over a year ago through Church, we would spot each other around at certain events, hang out and talk about wanting to mix creative talents and careers with humanitarian work. After a few months she moved to Uni to Wales and we spoke less, then last week out of the blue comes an email and she tells me about all the things she has been doing and...its AMAZING!!! While studying her Architecture course she, with a couple of friends founded a non-profit called: ORKIDSTUDIO What Orkidstudio actually is, is an non-profit humanitarian design organization that focus on helping young people and communities, through innovative and sustainable architecture, art and design. They work alongside communities in developing countries to design sustainable infrastructure as well as holding classes and workshop for the children in the villages. They are also developing ideas of creating transient shelters for places that experience sudden physical and political disasters. Please check out their website and see how you can help, even just by spreading awareness. www.orkidstudio.co.uk I am actually so blessed to have people around me that inspire me in what they do in helping the poor and needy. Using skills that they have, and used so commonly in Western world to benefit those with less services available to them. It spurs me on in persevering with what I want to achieve through The Bamboo District and I am glad I have people in my life I can learn from. Nat x Adopted babies Orphanage in Port-Au-Prince Photo: Esther Havens My Boyfriend just came back from a 2 week trip to Haiti, he sent with a team that provided medical relief and some food. While he was showing me some of his pictures and footage that will be later made into a small promo to raise more funds, it made me think about how media plays in social awareness. This is the first ever photo I saw taken by Humanitarian Photographer Esther Havens. My friend posted this particular picture via her Twitter and I wad drawn in...and then intrigued to find out more. Esther's is a prime example of someone who is using her creative skill as a means to help and encourage social justice. Her talent is evident in her work, which has taken her across the globe. Partnering with Non-Profits and providing the visual imagery for Campaigns she has provided a Face, a soul...the person behind the many struggles and plights we hear about all the time. As we are continually exposed to so much media relating to these causes we can get desensitized and forget that the people we see, are real. Her pictures not only depict the social and cultural environment in which she is shooting, but captures the character and personality of the people, whether it being deep sorrow behind the eyes or a cheeky smile. Her website is pretty amazing, it stores so many images of her trips that her career has spanned. Have a look yourself at: http://estherhavens.com/This is her 'About Me' Esther Havens is a humanitarian documentary photographer who focuses on social-awareness campaigns with non-profits around the globe, capturing stories that transcend a person's circumstance that reveal the strength of an individual regardless of the situation in which they find themselves. Esther has traveled extensively to over 40 countries and seeks to open hearts and minds to see the third world conditions in a way that might challenge them to make a difference. Her photographs have been displayed in various exhibits across the country. She currently resides in Austin, Texas and New York City and continues to travel on assignment. That pretty sums her up nicely, but seriously, check out her work. It will no doubt leave you inspired and stirred, as it has me. As usual, here are some picks of her pictures that I personally liked. Enjoy. (All images taken from: estherhavens.com) As most of you hopefully know by now the Nation of Haiti was devestated by an Earthquake leaving tens of thousand dead and even more injured and without homes. As we live and enjoy our lives in comfort lets spare some time and resource in ways in how we can help. In addition to independent pledges The Bamboo District will give 50% of all earnings of any products bought in the Months of Jan-Feb 2010, to the British Red Cross (www.redcross.org.uk/). If you want to donate personally you will be able to through so many other avenues, including The Red Cross, Compassion and Haiti Children.com. I have a friend who is organising an Auction where she is collecting people's skills to offer to people at a price, for instance, a free dental check up, baby sitting etc. All the proceeds will be to aid the people of Haiti. I will keep you updated in how you can help, this is will be based in London. Also if you have something to offer, whether your skill or a cool item please contact me through the Contacts us section and I will pass on your details. In times of Natural Disaster our attentions are momentarily turned to these poor nations but maybe consider implementing some sort of sustained giving as there is always need, everywhere. Also, giving doesn't alway have to be financial, we can always help in sharing our time and skills. |
MAMA BAMBOOLondon Girl.
Mama to Maya. Daughter of Filipinos. Wife of a Mexican'ish. Urban heart + Island soul. Right brained. Left brained. Likes to see & likes to do. Food. Travel. Photography. Fashion. ..... Arsenal supporter. THIS BLOG WILL SHOW ALL OF THE ABOVE IN SOME SHAPE AND FORM Categories
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