Tajik Winter Appeal

As promised, here is the appeal that we put together to help out the maternity hospital during the energy crisis:

Imagine you’ve been ushered into a cold room. If you would’ve planned better for this, maybe you would have come prepared with some blankets, sheets, and a heater from home. You don’t know how long you will be here, and you are scared that something could go wrong and that no one will be able to help you. Now imagine that you are there to give birth. Welcome to Tajikistan.

I am sending this to you as a member of a group of foreigners living in Tajikistan during one of the coldest winters on record. Because of the extreme cold in combination with dwindling power supplies to the country, people here are facing a crisis. Although it is already mid-February, the worst could still be ahead of us because of the lack of power to vital infrastructure, like hospitals. We have been put into contact with the local maternity hospital and we are sending out this appeal in an attempt to bless them during this time. They have made known several of their specific needs and we would like to ask you to join with us in meeting some of these requests:

* Electric kettles - $11 each
* Thermoses to keep water warm - $6 each
* Electric oil radiators (heaters) - $52 each
* New larger Generator - We were quoted $1000 each but this price needs to be verified.
* Diesel for generator - $10 /month
* Cotton sheeting material for babies cribs - $1/meter

We have other “winter emergency” giving opportunities as well, including another hospital and low income housing blocks filled with some of the poorest people here. We will work quickly to meet needs as the funds come in. If you are interested in contributing to the needs at the maternity hospital or one of these other opportunities, please send me an email (edwards@asia.com) to let me know what you would like to contribute. To follow through with the gift, either use paypal (pay to account name: edwards@asia.com), or send a check to (made out to "Aaron Edwards" with "Tajik Winter" in the memo):

Aaron Edwards
3030 S 50 W
Albion, IN 46701

The needs seem endless, and we will seek to bless people here as people respond to this appeal. We will use the funds for what we consider to be the greatest need at the time. Thank you for considering being a blessing to the people of Tajikistan during this difficult time.