TYPHOON ONDOY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Some of you might have already heard that the Philippines has recently been devastated by floods (last Saturday). People have lost their houses, cars and loved ones. Everyone has been affected, and I mean EVERYONE. Rich or poor, those who live in the squatters area or those living in posh subdivisions, no one was spared. Everyone's affected one way or another. A lot of my friends lost millions from their family businesses because their warehouses got flooded. School has been suspended for a week (final exams have been cancelled in our university), and I add only the last part just so you can see the gravity of its effect on all sectors in the Metro.

And to top it all off, there's a new typhoon approaching, estimated to arrive this Saturday morning. Flood waters haven't even gone down yet it many parts.

Perhaps one more reason why I feel so strongly about this is because MY OWN friends have been affected. MY OWN classmates lost their entire homes. I have friends who lost their possessions, even cousins who lost all their cars. For the first time probably in my entire life, I never felt so blessed. God spared me and my family not because we were richer, not because we worked harder, not because we had a nicer home, not even because we were good people, but just out of his GRACE.

I've been helping out at relief operations for the entire week and although I'm so amazed at how there is such a surplus of volunteers (praise God for hearts of service, I've never been prouder to be a Filipino), there has been a shortage of donations. The thousands of boxes of canned goods and waters are just not enough to feed the millions affected. We need more.

HOW I WANT TO HELP

Like I said, there has been a surplus of volunteers. I've decided to stop helping out first at the areas and instead focus on how I can generate more funds for donations. So here's what I plan to do.

ALL FUNDS EARNED FROM COMMISSIONS ORDERED BEGINNING TODAY UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER WILL BE DONATED TO THE VICTIMS.

I draw, you pay, I give what you pay to the people in need. Not just a percentage. All. Everything you drop in my PayPal account, I can assure you that it will go to the victims, 100%. I know that there is no way you can officially be sure of this, but I plan to inform you all once operations have started through pictures at the very least to show you how far your donations have gone and how many people you've helped. If you have a better idea on how I can do this, just let me know.

Me and a group of my friends are planning to significantly help one particular group of families. We want to repaint their homes, give them new furniture, provide them with food and new clothing. We cannot do all this without any financial help. We're getting from our own pockets, but unfortunately, most of us are still students, and what we have will not be enough.

I ask for your help, the international community, to please help us in your own little way. And I promise I'll make the drawings extra special for you!

Thank you guys, I'm really hoping for some support. Thanks for reading this, please spread the word if you can. I love you all

(Send everything to sheenasy@yahoo.com)

RATES

$10 - One character no background
$15 - One character and a background

Additional $5 for every character

PS. If you would like to donate an amount lower than $10, you are very welcome to do so. I could provide for a black and white drawing or sketch for you if you like.

(PPS. I know my journal mood says I'm 'delighted', but I seriously am not. For some weird reason I cannot change the mood icon. Gaah )