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Update from DOY BAGS on floods in the Philippines.

September 29, 2009

Dear All,
After two fraught days waiting for news from the Philippines, we've
finally heard from our ladies at the Doy Bags cooperative.

The cooperative is located in one of the worst flood-affected areas.
Thankfully all the cooperative's members have been accounted for and
are safe, but tragically two members of the wider community have lost
their lives in the floods.

Several of the cooperative's families have lost their homes, most
have lost precious furnishings and possessions. Our main production
building's location next to the river means that the damage has been
extensive, and much of the sewing equipment and materials are damaged
or destroyed - everything covered with a thick layer of mud. However,
the water is now receding and the clean-up operation is already
underway.

We are waiting for further details of the situation, but meanwhile we
have today sent money to be distributed to the most immediately needy
members of the cooperative.

We will update you all when we have more news.

**Messages of Support**
You can help our wonderful ladies remain optimistic under these
horrible conditions - please, please take a moment to send a message
of support and encouragement to floods@doybags.com. Please don't feel
that this is just an empty gesture - it is hard to overestimate how
much thoughts and prayers from the other side of the world mean to
our ladies, especially in times of crisis like this.

October 1, 2009

Thank you so much for the wonderful response to our initial e-mail
about the floods and our request for messages of support.

Our ladies at the cooperative have already received over two dozen
lovely messages of sympathy and encouragement. This means a great
deal to them and they intend to reply to everyone in due course.

If you haven't had a chance to write yet, please do - send to:
floods@doybags.com
Your message doesn't have to be long - just a line or two is enough
to send them your best wishes.
It is enormously encouraging for them to know that their customers
are thinking of them and willing them on for the huge task ahead.

Huge thanks are due to those of you who have very kindly offered to
hold a collection and/or fundraise on the cooperative's behalf. We
have started a Flood Relief Appeal and set up a PayPal account to
make the whole donation process as simple and effective as possible
for all concerned. Please see:
http://www.doybags.com/floodrelief.html

Anything you can contribute will be put to the very best use to help
the most severely affected members and their families, and will be
greatly appreciated.

We will be individually contacting those who have made specific
offers of help over the next couple of days - please bear with us.

Meanwhile, we will be adding further updates as and when we can. For
details please see:
http://www.doybags.com/floodrelief.html#updates

Thank you again for all your support in these especially challenging
days.

Bodo, Lucy and the rest of the Doy Bags team

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