Every day, we get to enjoy the food that is put on our tables, the dairy products that we use for cooking, the wheat used for baking, and sipping our coffees and frappes, and everything else that is ready for human and even animal consumption is made available to us and for us, all because of our farmers, farm these products that allow us to produce the foods we love!
Yes. That is what they do. And they do it not just to make a living but because they see this as their job, their responsibility to feed the population. It is a task that only farmers know how to do. And if they weren’t doing it, then who else would be?
Our farmers have been working hard for the people at large to not suffer in hunger and starvation forever, and today, it is them that need our help. It is known that the Areas in Australia have been suffering for long periods of severe drought, so more then three years now. Although it has rained in some parts of Australia, these areas have not experienced rain for months now. Some even up to 3 years, even and worst. Main problem that has been very difficult for them is the lack of WATER, NO RAIN to fill the tanks.
Negative effects have already been felt by the larger community in the area because of this. Of course, we know that almost all living organisms cannot survive with the absence of water. And imagine how their lives are today just because drought has been their season for years. It’s sad to know how the patterns have turned to somewhat like a domino effect to people that are affected because of the lack of water in the area. Livestock and crops are dying. When this happens, it means a lot of losses for the farmer’s income as they wouldn’t be able to trade their products and make an income. This resulting in their families starving or going without much needed everyday things we take for granted. Imagine the people working hard to feed us can no longer feed themselves and families? It’s just Heartbreaking!
What’s even worse is that because there hasn’t been enough income coming in for them, the farmers are using their own savings, money from their pockets, over capitalising on their assets, to keep the farms going, and buying their own water to feed and maintain the stocks they are approximately paying between $1,000 per month to $32-50,000 per month to stay afloat. Because of this, they can no longer take care of themselves. When they get sick, there is no available funds for healthcare because they need to spend the money keeping their farms rather than caring for themselves. They couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong such as illnesses, equipment breakdown, bush fires, and other natural or man-made disasters because if this misfortune happens, then what would be left of them?
This is also causing a big mental instability amongst farmers as they can see no way out of this income – drought disaster. Even if it rains now and it’s a good downfall this will take many years for the farmer to recover financially from these stressful times they are currently experiencing and is a burden too much to bear for some. They feel like they have let their families down, the friends down, their ancestors down and themselves and this is too much for them to cope with.
We are trying to alleviate some of this burden by organising for water to be delivered to farmers in need by way of 10,000 Litres into their tanks or 10Litre water bottles for cooking, drinking and washing in. We are helping out with petrol vouchers, phone credit, food, clothing and other things that they need that they are not able to cover the cost of. We are selling used clothing to raise funds for this and relying on donations of money, water and clothing to help out. At this point in time, every little bit helps to alleviate their current situation, so I urge you all to PLEASE HELP OUT where you can.
With the recent bushfires that have happened around Australia, circumstances have become worse for farmers and rural areas with a number of people dead and over 270 farms, homes lost to the fire. There is wildlife injured, people injured, and people have nothing but the clothes they are wearing. Just adds to the already sad state of affairs.
With this current situation, we are asking for donations of any kind or in cash. Let’s help hand in hand to save the lives of the people that fed us. It’s our time to return the favour. It’s our time to extend a helping hand, it’s our time to dig deep in the true Aussie fashion and help out our mates!
You can help by donation to Our gofundme page gf.me/u/v928pc and our Facebook page is @sofnsw or you can donate via Homeless no more with description saying “Kim Save Our Farmers” at https://www.givenow.com.au/homelessnomore
