A few years ago, Aaron Hawkins of StormCloudsGathering put his money where his mouth was. Having been a successful YouTuber who created gripping videos about impending global chaos, he moved with his young family to an undisclosed tropical location to build a self-reliant sustainable community. We’ve been hearing from him only sporadically since then because he’s been busy with that project and also because he had little incentive to make videos, having been viciously demonetized.
We now discover that their mystery location is Dominica, the island nation in the Caribbean which took a direct hit from Hurricane Maria’s 195 mph winds. The infrastructure, the trees, virtually everything has been completely destroyed.
He’s in the middle of a very vivid rehearsal for the global chaos that he’s been predicting.
Over images of the unfathomable destruction as well as of him and his team digging themselves out he says, “The full effects of Hurricane Maria are yet to be seen. The old economy has been shattered and the government does not have the means to cover the astronomical cost of reconstruction. In most villages, there is no money flowing. There is a clear imperative to transition the entire country to self-sufficiency, renewable energy and local economic strategies.
“The current crisis provides a clear imperative and a tangible sense of urgency. Community networks are already consolidating resources to move in this direction. We’re doing what we can with what we have. Challenges ahead however are daunting.”
Hawkins is asking for volunteers to go down and help, he’s asking for donations and this is his Recovery Needs List.
He’s made this website for the PONGOVI.ORG foundation to help their efforts.
I’d really like to know how much of my donation will go to Dominica people’s relief and directly to Aaron’s work. I’d like to help but I’ve donated to such things before only to find too many people/organizations are making money on the backs of those in need.
They are using gofundme which has sent a big red flag up the pole. They take too high a percentage of the donations for themselves–like most charitable organizations–not so charitable. They market themselves as if they are altruistic–NOT. If I remember correctly, gofundme took around a 1/4 million dollars from the pipeline campaign the veterans ran for the Water Keepers at Standing Rock when the ending donations amounted to about $1.2 million. When I was sent the numbers by the vets who ran the campaign on how the money was spent I was angry. I felt used by gofundme. Not right at all.
So again, my question is what percentage of my donation will go directly to benefit the people? Who is managing the money and what is their cut? I’m especially interested in that part because the money appears to be managed from the Netherlands–merchant heaven. I can donate via Paypal but all the questions still stand, nevertheless.
In advance, thanks to anyone in the know who can respond from the relief project in Dominica.
I’m pretty sure this is a foundation set up by Aaron or maybe by his wife, who I’m guessing fled with their small children to Europe, where she is from.
This is where an ‘off the shelf’ crypto currency would be useful. If it were possible to download a customisable digital currency for a local population. Could it be that simple?
I like your style, Debbie!!!