Arc Linda hatches orphanage plan

ISLANDERS could help fund the building of an orphanage in the Aceh province of Indonesia ' one of the areas most devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami. Aid Reaching Children director Linda Garnham announced the long-term intention yesterday, just days after US helicopters started dropping food and medical supplies into isolated regions near the earthquake's epicentre.

Many communities there have been completely cut off and more than 94,000 people have been confirmed dead in Indonesia alone.

'What I would like is for Guernsey builders and plumbers at a later stage to build an orphanage in Aceh and have it funded by Guernsey until it's up and running and we can hand it over,' said Miss Garnham. 'Volunteers have said they want to go out there to help and that may be possible in the future.'

Many responded swiftly to Arc's recently-launched tent and blanket appeal in the basement of the former postal headquarters at Guelles Road ' its first drop-off was held on Monday and '850 was also collected at the gate. About 60 people have volunteered to help.

Arc is urging islanders to donate more powdered baby milk, nappies and sanitary items as well as blankets and tents.

About 100 tents and hundreds of blankets, duvets and sleeping bags have already been donated and islanders raised a staggering '12,000 in the first two days of the Arc appeal last week.

Negotiations are continuing with several freight companies and airlines about getting the items out to the devastated areas as swiftly as possible.

The first shipments should go out by early next week ' Condor Logistics has promised to transport goods to any UK destination free of charge and Britannia Airways has also offered help via its scheduled flights.

'We are not taking clothes at the moment because the logistics of getting them out there are a nightmare,' she said.

'We already have a fabulous team of volunteers who have given us their different skills. Everybody just wants to do their bit and it's one mass of people wanting to help.'

Volunteers can turn up at Guelles Road and they will be allocated tasks.

'We have been overwhelmed with everything and the likes of G. Orange & Co and the Guernsey Dairy have supplied drinks and SGB a portable loo for volunteers,' said Miss Garnham.

The disaster has brought an unprecedented response. 'It has made people aware of what could happen. The number of people killed is more than twice the Guernsey population.'

The appeal will keep going as long as necessary and the underground car park at Guelles Road is available until the end of March.

'I would like to thank everybody for being so generous with their time and if we can continue as we are, we will get some results out there,' said Miss Garnham.

Islanders can make payments via www.aidreachingchildren.org.gg.

Alternatively, donations can be made to the Arc South-East Asia Appeal: the sort code is 40-22-25 and the account number is 32801000. Payment can be made at any local HSBC branch.