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Update #5: THANK YOU
This project is now closed, after having raised $921 for typhoon relief in the Philippines. The funds have been given directly to The Philippine Jesuit Foundation's social advocacy arm, which is engaged in direct aid effort (not evangelical). More information can be found here: http://www.jesuits.ph/articles/help_the_victims_of_typhoon_ondoy.
Thank you to all for your support!
Update #4: A Special Thanks to Amazon!
A special thanks to Amazon.com for waiving their usual transaction fees for this particular project! As you may know, Amazon charges a standard transaction fee for all Amazon Payments, but given the purpose of this project and the gravity of the situation in the Philippines (a major storm is expected to hit land *again* on Monday), they are waiving all fees.
This is wonderful, wonderful news, and we can't thank them enough. Every dollar helps, no matter how small. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity.
Update #3: $85 Received in Cash - We're at $981 Total
Today I received $85 in cash, which puts us, as of this update, at $981 total. With a tropical depression expected to hit the same area by Friday, this money is needed more than ever. Thank you thank you thank you.
Here's an update from ITN World News about the situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch...
And general data about the role of climate change in the sharp increase in weather-related disasters we've been witnessing as of late. $1000 goes a long way for immediate aid, but the solution needs to be both global and systemic.
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm...
Update #2: $690 in 12 Hours - THANK YOU
Amazing. In 5 hours we not only reached the $500 goal but blew past it, and by the time of this post, we're looking at $690 in funds raised for hurricane victims in the Philippines. Folks have given from three continents (that I'm aware of), from Taipei City to DC to Canterbury, UK. And the $25 backer reward has been quite popular - gotta love that chicken adobo :)
We have one more day to go. After consulting with a number of contacts in the Philippines, I am now 99% certain that the proceeds will go directly to the Jesuits in the Philippines (http://www.jesuits.ph/articles/help_the_victims_of_typhoon_ondoy). Please note that their work is *not* evangelical. It is purely aid-based (food, bottled water, canned goods, and medication), and my family and I have many personal contacts within the organization who know the money will be applied maximally to aid, rather than overhead. They also have a branch in the heart of New York, so I can give them a check directly. I'm now penning the thank you email that I will send to each of you.
Please continue to spread the word! I'd be thrilled to see us reach $1000 by this time tomorrow. That's nearly 50,000 pesos, and let me tell you, that's going to go a long, long way. According to one source on Wikipedia, the daily income for nearly half the population of the Philippines is less than two dollars. That's $730 a year, which is almost what we've raised so far.
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Mariavictoria C. Go on September 29, 2009
Hi An Xiao! Hope you make it to $1000 or more before the deadline.
I was just wondering - your updates show "0" backers for the $100 pledge. But I pledged $100 9/28. Was this just an oversight in the update? -
An Xiao (deleted) on September 29, 2009
Thank you Mariavictoria!
And good question - the way backing works is that, when you give, you can choose an option of receiving a backer reward, or waiving that reward. So the count of $100 pledges is actually higher--I think three or four folks have given that much--, but they didn't explicitly select the option for the $100 backer reward. Rest assured that your gift is counted. Alternatively, you can also log back in and ensure that you click the little button for the $100 backer reward.
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Update #1: THANK YOU - $260 in 5 hours
In just 5 hours, we've raised $260, with more on the way, and some coming to me directly as cash. I felt a little crazy/ambitious here, trying to raise $500 in less than two days, but the money was needed yesterday. I'm busy researching sites to spread the word and an organization with extremely low overhead, to ensure the majority of the money goes to those in need.
I'll be back in touch soon with an update later tonight. Can we raise at least $400 by the end of the day? Please spread the word . :)
34
Backers
$921
pledged of $500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 30, 2009.
Pledge $1 or more
All backers who give a dollar or more will receive a thank you email from me, with a poem.
Pledge $5 or more
Approximately 250 pesos - that's the equivalent of 22 pounds of rice. The US dollar goes a long, long way.
Pledge $25 or more
I'll send you my family's recipe for chicken adobo. Yum!
Pledge $100 or more
I'll give you a big thank you hug. Actually, all backers will get a thank you hug.
Project By
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An Xiao Mina (aka "An Xiao", her artist name) is an American design strategist, new media artist and digital community builder. She uses technology to build and empower communities through design and artistic expression. Her work has been featured in venues internationally, from the Brooklyn Museum to Shanghai's Xindanwei, and in publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, Art in America and the Global Times Shanghai.
