Getting (and keeping) Warm

I would like to thank those who came out to Rock Church in Halifax over the weekend to hear my stories of life on the road in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine as well as for your kind feedback. It was a great day.

As part of my presentation I spoke about a project where I would like to buy blankets for the seniors home in Kemin, Kyrgyzstan.  For those of you who had expressed an interest, and for anyone who would like to help, here is some more information.

Even though the weather is finally getting warm it's not too early to prepare for winter in Kyrgyzstan.  Winters there can get as low as minus 35C (minus 31F) and this is a huge concern as many people can't afford utilities to heat their homes.  One winter there was 80 deaths in the Men's disabled home because the heating at that time wasn't adequate.  In September when the snow gets lower on the mountains and into the valley people get very concerned about winter preparations.  And believe me, those concrete buildings get VERY cold.  I have experienced minus 14C with no heat there and I never want to be that cold again.  Keeping warm means the difference between life and death.

Two years ago at the Kemin home I met Luba who had lost both of her feet to frostbite...in her own apartment simply because she had no money for the utilities.  You can read more of her story and see photos here:  
http://blairs-page.blogspot.ca/2012/10/thankfulness.html and here 
http://blairs-page.blogspot.ca/2012/10/its-getting-cold_21.html

I would like to supply new blankets for all of the seniors in the Kemin home.  They are made locally in Kyrgyzstan by a wonderful lady named Aigula who needs income right now as business is currently slow.  The purchase of these blankets not only helps to keep the seniors warm this winter but also helps Aigula to provide for her family.

So far I have 14 blankets paid for and I need to buy 31 more.  They cost $25 each.  Would you like to partner with me to help save lives?  If you would, please click the Canada Helps button on the right side of the blog to donate on line, or you can click the "Ways to Donate" tab at the top of the page for other options.  Please remember to include a note with my name and advise that your gift is for blankets.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to keep me in you prayers as well as Ukraine which is having elections this Sunday (May 25th).  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я дюбдю вас!!

 

One of the beds at the Kemin Seniors Home

These are the blankets I would like to buy.  They are actually more like a comforter.

Some of the residents of Kemin Seniors Home

This is Luba who lost her feet to frostbite in her own apartment.