Here’s something really awesome: Firefighters Without Borders are helping fill a couple of shipping containers full of goods to ship off to one of the poorest cities in the Americas. The containers as well as the cost of shipment have already been donated to send help to a remote area of Nicaragua in January, and they need YOUR help in filling them with stuff!

This is Cristina Maria, one of the children who lives in the dump community they’re sending support to

Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Americas and the region of Chinendega is the poorest area of the country. They basically need everything. But goods of all kinds will be put to good use in two different orphanages and three schools, including a community centre that has been built with Canadian support within a garbage dump community of nearly 4,000 people.

The range of items that would be helpful include:

- Bikes, bike parts, repair tools
- Sporting equipment of all kinds for children and youth, particularly baseball, soccer and surfing equipment
- Office equipment including computers, desks, chairs
- Hospital and health supplies and equipment, including toothbrushes, toothpaste etc.
- Power tools of all types and sizes. There is a plan to finish building a trade school and these would be essential
- Kitchen appliances, including ice makers, industrial toasters, ovens, and commercial kitchen supplies. These will be critical for the food programs.
- Marine equipment, including life jackets, motors, parts
- Water purifiers and filters
- Gardening and farming equipment, including generators

Bob Dubbert with a donation from Cheryl Murtland from St Michaels University School

A group, including many kids, are going down to Nicaragua on a volunteer project for March break 2013. It would be great for them to be able to open the containers from Vancouver when they are there to begin their work. If you have any surplus goods along these lines that you can donate it would mean a lot. Please pass this along to anyone you think may be of help.

Charitable receipts can be arranged for the value of the goods through Firefighters Without Borders who are assisting with this work.

The ship leaves Vancouver on January 4th, so any goods earmarked for this impoverished community needs to be identified by January 3rd.

If you have anything to donate please contact Bob Dubbert, President of Firefighters Without Borders, to arrange dropoff. His email is bobdvfd@gmail.com