Our appeal for help to Barcelona village in the Philippines were the typhoon Melor had just struck (see our blog Typhoon Melor) , got a response far beyond what we could have hoped for.
We set up a jar at our entrance hall for the Christmas Carols at Knightstone and the Christmas Party last Friday and Saturday and collected 845 pounds and a few pennies which Jennifer rounded up to £ 850. And some have provided contributions after the event. I was given contribution in church on Sunday and yesterday we even received a contribution from the United States. So when we add all in it became £ 960.11.
Then the local parish of Ottery St Mary arranged a retiring collection after the Sunday evening service and they got a total of £ 268 from parishioners. So we came to a total of £ 1,228.11, which we have rounded off to £ 1,230.
And then we at Knightstone have promised to match the funds that were provided so we have now added another £ 1,230 making it a total of £ 2,460. It has today been sent to Barcelona, via Luz (Jennifer’s mum). She will use it for immediate help for food, as she has one of the few kitchens still standing in the vicinity of the shores, where the typhoon made its landfall. Most of the money will however be used as a contribution towards building new houses replacing the previous huts in the village.
But it hasn’t ended there. Today we got a letter with another £ 20, from one of our friends who couldn’t come to our Christmas Party but still wanted to contribute to the relief. We are happy for all that can be given and will continue to match the funds that are provided, and will send more money just after New Year.
End of January Jen and I will visit the Philippines and we will try to collect more photos and visit the families that have been helped and show how the money has been used. Meanwhile please trust that this money can do a lot of good for many homeless families in Barcelona.
Thank you for your generosity and good will. Bless you all and Merry Christmas
Jennifer and Jan-Eric
