In the wake of the super typhoon Haiyan, one Invermere nanny who arrived in Canada from the Philippines almost three years ago is aiming to help by raising $10,000 by December 8th.

Like many of our neighbours, Jamila Salle has been gripped by the tragedy of the typhoon, which struck the nation of more than 7,000 islands on Friday, November 8th. Her husband and fourteen year old son back home are fine, but others desperately need help, which prompted her to set up a donation page on World Vision’s website.

She said she was inspired by a young Filipino beggar who spent a whole day asking for donations and handed over all he had received to help others: two cans of sardines, two packs of noodles, one kilogram of rice and 30 Philippine pesos.

“They don’t have the means, but they help,” said Jamila, whose donation boxes can be found at A&W, Rocky River Grill, Super 8, the Station Neighbourhood Pub and Dairy Queen. “What can I do?”

One of her friends in Invermere sobbed as she spoke of a mother and four children forced to cling to roof rafters in their flooded home for hours, fearing the wind would blow off the roof and carry them away.

The Canadian government has agreed to match donations given by December 8th on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Interested people can go right to Jamila’s donation page at http://my.worldvision.ca/mwv//fundraiser/409 .

By Dorothy Isted

Special to The Valley Echo