Well, after educating yourself and advocating for the rights of the Syrian people in their fight for freedom against a brutal dictatorship as well as naming and holding accountable those who aid the Assad regime such as Iran, Hezbollah and Russia among others, *breathes*, you can help by donating to any of the organisations/groups listed below. 

These groups mainly help on the ground in Syria providing aid; be it medical or psychological as well as food and clothes to those in need.

SAMS Foundation: the foundation works with Syrian American health care professionals and operates 106 medical facilities throughout Syria

Doctors Without Borders (also known as MSF): the organisation provides front-line medical treatment as well as providing drugs, medical supplies and equipment

Questscope: the organisation’s work is mostly centered on providing immediate trauma support and psychosocial counseling

Save the Children: the organisation is on the ground in Syria and in refugee communities providing children and their families with warm clothes, shelters, clean water and emergency care

Syrian Civil Defense (also known as The White Helmets): they are about 3,000 neutral, impartial and humanitarian Syrian volunteers who operate as first responders in rebel-held areas across the country. They were recently nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Karam Foundation: the organisations is focused on educational opportunities for Syrian children, currently raising funds to rebuild schools in Syria.

NuDay Syria: the organisation’s mission focuses on bringing housing and food to displaced families with single mothers or wounded family members. They are especially concerned with the lack of safe shelter and living for single mothers with daughters.

Hand in Hand for Syria: the organisation provides aid including food, clothing, water, sanitation and crucial medical assistance 

According to the United Nations, there are almost 14 million Syrian refugees around the world (so far) in need of humanitarian aid. The groups below are mainly focused on helping Syrian refugees:

Migrant Offshore Aid Station: this charity exists to save children like Alan Kurdi, with a fleet of rescue boats patrolling the Mediterranean to save migrants lost at sea.

Refugees Welcome: dubbed as a kind of “Airbnb for refugees” this German nonprofit matches people with spare rooms with refugees in need of housing. If you don’t have a spare bed in Germany.

The Worldwide Tribe in Calais: a group of social activists documenting stories in the Calais migrant camp, they also raise relief funds.  

Small Projects Istanbul: the initiative provides classes and cultural enrichment and scholarships to Syrian children in Turkey.

International Medical Corps: they run a service center for Syrian refugees that provides medical care, classes and job training.

Medical Teams International: the organisation focuses on health and dental care for Syrian refugees in Lebanon. 

Mercy Corps: the group provides direct aid to Syrian refugees in the form of food and supplies, and by increasing access to clean water and sanitation, shelters, and safe spaces and activities for children

Shelterbox: the group has been providing emergency shelter and supplies to families affected by the Syrian crisis in Iraq Kurdistan, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria, including clothing, stoves and, water filters.

UNICEF: the UN agency focuses on assisting Syrian children by providing healthcare, nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, and classes.

Oxfam: the nonprofit provides aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon and Jordan such as clean water, sanitation services, and hygiene education to help ward of cholera and other intestinal diseases.

CLEANING

Dish soap

Laundry detergent

All-purpose cleaner

Hand soap

Broom

Mop

Wash cloths / rags

Vacuum

Dustpan

Lint roller

Sponges

KITCHENWARE

Plates

Bowls

Spoons

Forks

Knives

Glasses

Mugs

Tongs

Spatula

Plastic wrap

Ziplock baggies

Garbage bags

Paper towel

Tupperware

Ice tray

Oven mitts

Potato peeler

Mixing bowls

Frying pan

Pot

Baking sheet

Whisk

Stirring spoons / ladels

Tea infuser ball

Measuring cups

Strainer

Cutting board

Coffee maker

Kettle

Toaster

Magnets

Dry erase markers

Sticky notes

Microwave

Wire sponge

Trash bin

Recycling bin

Rubber gloves

Silverware organizer

Measuring spoons

Aluminum foil

Wax paper

Can opener

Bottle opener

Containers for salt, sugar, flour, etc.

LIVINGROOM

Sofa

Rocking chair (you know you want one)

Loveseat

Coasters

Blankets

Throw pillows

Coffee table

Book shelves

TV

TV stand

Floor lamp

End table

Stereo system / radio

BEDROOM

Mattress

Box spring

Bedframe

Linens

Sheets

Comforter

Hangers

Laundry hamper

Trash bin

Curtains

Pillows

Pillow cases

Night table

Alarm clock

Lamp

Dresser

Coat rack

Desk / vanity

Comfy chairs

DININGROOM

Dining table

Minimum of 2 chairs

Coasters

Placemat

Tablecloth

Tea lights /candles and candle holders

BATHROOM

Face clothes

Towel

Soap bar

Body wash

Shampoo

Conditioner

Tissues

Toilet paper

Trash bin

Plunger

Toilet cleaner

Cold, flu, pain, and allergy meds

Hydrogen peroxide

Antibacterial ointment

First-Aid kit

Tweezers

Nail clippers

Band-aids

Shower rod

Shower curtain

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Period products

Bathmat

Air freshener

Trash bin

Towel rod

Towels

MISCELLANEOUS

Elastic bands

Stapler

Stables

Paper clips

Needles and thread

AA / AAA batteries

Light bulbs

Extension cords

Scotch tape

Duct tape

Shovel

Rake (if you have a yard)

Stain remover

Jar of courters for laundry mat

Screw drivers

Hammer

Nails

Sticky tack

Screws

Box cutter / X-acto

Pliers

Wrench

Pens

Paper

Pencils

Pencil sharpener

Eraser

Welcome matt

Shoe rack

Coat rack

Flashlight

Flashlight batteries

Watch batteries

Rechargeable batteries and charger

Safe place to discard dead batteries

Candles

Matches

Lighter

Mini travel fans

Real fans

Emergency Survival kit

Fire extinguisher

Landline phone

Window air conditioner

Carbon monoxide alarm

Fire alarm

FOOD STUFF

Mustard

Ketchup

Mayo

Salt

Pepper

Baking soda

Flour

Eggs

Milk

Bread

Olive oil

Tea

Jam

Peanut-butter

Coffee grounds

Cereal

Rice

Pasta

Vegetable soup

Tomato sauce

Frozen vegetables

Crackers

Chickpeas / lentils

Apples

Oranges

Granola bars

Juice

Hot chocolate mix

GOFUNDME: SAVE OUR NAVAJO LANGUAGE

“I never learned my Navajo language and I was never inspired to learn it.  As I got older, I realized how valuable our language is to the livelihood of our Navajo Nation. ” -Dr. Shawna L. Begay

Our Navajo or Diné language is in danger of becoming extinct.  Help us create and develop the first Navajo-English educational media TV puppet show, “Diné Bí Ná’álkid Time” which means ‘The Navajo Movie Time.’  It will inspire and teach our youth basic language skills using media as a technology tool. Parents, grandparents, children and grandkids can learn to speak Navajo  fluently together within their own homes. Long-time friends and educators, Dr. Shawna L. Begay and Charmaine Jackson have teamed up to create this new TV pilot for an all-ages audience or for anyone who wants to learn the Navajo language.   With your support, it’ll be the first educational Navajo and English puppet show that will teach and preserve the Navajo language and culture through digital media.

After several years of extensive research on the Navajo Nation, Dr. Begay recently completed her PhD from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas with her doctorate thesis, ‘Developing A Navajo Media Guide: A Community Perspective.’ As project director, she quickly realized she was a pioneer on the topic.

This is me and my son.

He’s the best kid in the world. He’s 10 years old, autistic, and charming as heck. I love spending time with him.

I just found out just a couple of days ago that my ex–my son’s other mom–is suing me for full custody of our son because I am living in California rather than Massachusetts (even though she knows I have been working hard to move back). In order to avoid losing the case out of hand, I need to move back to Massachusetts much sooner than anticipated–early February rather than late August– to avoid losing access to my son. My son is the most important person in my life. I talk to him every day and I do everything I can to see him as often as possible. I am hoping to go back to having him live with me 2-3 days per week once I am back east, since that is what I did before. For the past several years I have been disabled and unable to work. After years of struggling I moved across the country in 2016 to be with my (ex) partner who said they would take care of me and make sure I would be able to see my son as often as I needed to. That relationship ended because they were abusive, leaving me stranded and broke in San Diego. Since then, I have gotten help for my disability and I am working again and going back to school. I am rebuilding my life. I am making just enough to pay for my own rent and food and I can put a little bit aside. I will have just enough money in cash and loans in early february to rent a van and move myself and my best friend/partner back to New England, but I can’t do it safely without a little bit more money. This is a bare bones, budget move where I will arrive with almost nothing to move into a new apartment and barely enough money to pay rent. I am putting in $4300, which breaks down to: $800  Van Rental $400 Gas and Tolls $400 Hotels and Food for 5 days $2700 Move in rent and security for the new apartment I still need at least another $2500 by early February: $800 furniture so that my son can have a place to live with me $700 expenses for while I am finding a job $1000 retainer for my lawyer, just to get started I will continue to work as hard as I can to make it happen even if I don’t reach my goal, but I really don’t want to end up being homeless after all of this. Please help as much as you can. My son is so important to me and I can’t even imagine losing him.

I still need help so I don’t end up homeless in Massachusetts. Everything costs more than I estimated and I ended up with less money than I expected from selling the furniture.

I found an apartment that I want to move into, but they are asking for more money upfront than I was expecting. As it stands right now I need about $300 more so I can get into an apartment.  

I’m so close. Please help me take care of my son.

Paypal

These photos were taken around one year apart.  One year.

Can you imagine living your life without teeth?

https://www.gofundme.com/toothless-and-desperate

Have a brief example of what you’d experience:

- Unable to eat properly, your health and physical well-being suffers significantly and this shortens your life over time.  If you’re like me and have weak jaws, you’ll likely not be able to chew well; you’re going to be swallowing lumps of things, which is uncomfortable, gross, and unhealthy.

-Eating can be very painful, to the point you’re going to be eating soup, mashed potatoes, or cream of wheat for at least a few meals.

-Self-confidence tanks, and so can your mental health; this has really f*cked me up, leaving me intensely depressed to the point where I’ve pretty much cried for entire days, not to mention trying to adjust to this nightmare that has become my life.

- Dentures generally need to be pasted into your mouth (the paste doesn’t usually last that well, and isn’t a fix-all.  It also tastes pretty foul.) and tend to cause anything from mild discomfort to bad pain.

- You don’t get to eat anything sticky, chewy, etc.; no more toffee, gum, unprocessed meat, salad (yes, even things like lettuce and spinach are VERY difficult to eat.  And, forget fresh fruit and veggies.  Too firm,

- No biting with your front teeth.  

- There is no real ‘resting place’ for your lower jaw - it’s uncomfortable and even painful to have your gums pressed together, and letting your lower jaw relax and ‘hang’ is almost as bad.

- Have you heard someone speak without teeth?  You’re liable to repeat things A LOT and feel self-conscious and stupid.

-People will shun you, or give you repulsed looks.

-Try looking for work when you look like I do, all gums and no teeth.  No way you’re getting an interview or a call back.

https://www.gofundme.com/toothless-and-desperate

Not to mention that your JAWS SHRINK and make it even more difficult to eat/speak and are prone to FRACTURING.

That’s why I am on my knees, begging and praying for the donations I so desperately need to replace my teeth with implants.

Implants act like REAL TEETH and I could eat/speak as before and my jaws would stop shrinking.  But, I live in poverty and am disabled.  I can’t afford it alone.  I’m scared this is going to be the end of me.

Aloe vera: It helps with acne & softens hair. The best way to get it? Grow it yourself! (bonus: you get to use in smoothies for nutritional benefits as well). 

Patchouli essential oil (diluted with jojoba oil, don’t use essential oils without diluting them first): Fades acne scars & It will literally make you glow. Massage your face & body with it. It has also emotional healing properties.

Tea tree essential oil (diluted with jojoba oil): Fades acne scars. 

Bergamot essential oil (like always, diluted): Helps with acne. It has also emotional healing properties (helps with depression).

Apple cider vinegar: After showering, rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar diluted in some water. It will soften your hair & it will look beautiful. Apple cider vinegar also works as a toner & helps fade acne scars. 

Witch Hazel: My fave natural toner apart from apple cider vinegar. 

Rose water: Some use rose water as a toner, i use it as a natural perfume (to cleanse my aura). It uplifts mood. Remember to use a 100% natural one tho. 

Jasmine essential oil: Also an aphrodisiac, will make you feel beautiful & it smells amazing. Add a little bit diluted with a carrier oil on hands/neck as a perfume!