A team of four SEDA staff traveled south this week to visit four Attappeu villages affected by Typhoon Ketsana. These villages sustained damage to more than 45 homes and lost approximately 90% of their rice and vegetable crops during the typhoon. We met with village representatives to discuss both their immediate, and long-term needs and goals.

Two villages urgently require building materials to repair and rebuild homes and storage buildings damaged by Ketsana. They also need rice and vegetable seeds before they can sow their next crop and begin the long recovery process. We are hoping to assist with these most immediate needs quickly and effectively.To facilitate long-term development, each of these villages needs irrigation infrastructure. This would enable villagers to produce a second rice crop each year and meet their own rice consumption needs. Excess rice could be sold to generate much needed extra income. Irrigation could also reduce rice-crop labor hours and enable villagers to spend more time growing vegetable crops, thus increasing both their nutritional intake and their income.

We are hoping to work in partnership with these villagers to provide agricultural support and advice in the future.

To help this vulnerable group rebuild their lives, and their communities, please support us at:

www.globalgiving.com/projects/typhoon 

Andee is getting physically stronger as a result of the medicinal and nutritional supplements provided by SEDA, she needed a wheelchair that could help her posture and maneuverability. Her new wheelchair is padded unlike her previous metal chair, giving her more comfort and back support, and also comes with a desk that she can rest her arm on. She is no longer confined to her room, and often goes outside to enjoy her afternoons in the sun and fresh air. While her new chair greatly improves the quality of life for Andee, she still depends on your support to maintain that quality. Andee requires a constant supply of dietary supplements, traditional medicine remedies, diapers, and daily necessities that she is otherwise unable to access without your help.

Fortunately, Andee is currently listed under the GlobalGiving UK’s Christmas fund-raising challenge, with prizes up to 2,000 GPB awarded to the most successful participating projects until the end of December. There’s still two more weeks to show your support for SEDA and Andee during the GGUK fund-raising event.

Help make this holiday season the best one yet for a special girl who needs your help. Visit: 

http:// http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/2219