I'm starting this campaign in the wake of the recent tragedies of natural disasters in South East Asia and Samoa Island. I am sure I'm not the only one who's moved and sympathizes with these nations. If there's anything you and I could do, is to contribute to this campaign in remembering those who were caught in the tragedy. In a way, I'm just hopeful that through this campaign, we can help these victims or others in a similar position. Some of the victims who are still staying strong despite all they've been through, have been inspirations to me, and I'm sure they've inspired some of you too.

Here's some background story and facts for you to know:

On Sept 2, 2009 at about 2:55pm local time, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 Richter struck Tasikmalaya, located in West Java. I was sitting at my dining table when I noticed the chandelier started swinging above my head. I was 3.5-5 hours away from Tasikmalaya and I could only imagine how much worse the impact would have been at the epicentre.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the quake killed at least 57 people and more than 300 people have been injured and at least 100 were missing. More than 10,000 buildings have collapsed across Java and a further 13,000 have been classified as lightly damaged. Many buildings did not have steel reinforcement in their concrete pillars and an earthquake can cause immediate crumbling.

Read more: http://earthquakes.suite101.com/article.cfm/indonesia_earthquake_september_2009#ixzz0SbhBRcOS

In less than a month later, another earthquake struck Padang, West Sumatra, on 30 Sept 2009 afternoon. The magnitude was slightly stronger this time around, reported by some at 7.9 Richter, and was felt all the way to Jakarta, Singapore, even Malaysia. The toll is still rising and many are left homeless. As of now, the death toll has reached at least 75 according to Red Cross report.

Deadly storm, Ketsana, had also left a trail of destruction few days earlier, cited from CNN website:

"By Wednesday (4/30) morning, the death toll from the storm's rage had topped 325: at least 246 in the Philippines, 74 in Vietnam and nine in Cambodia." The figures are still rising in the aftermath as rescuers are trying to slowly clear up debris.

On Tuesday morning of Sept 29, 2009, a deadly earthquake-triggered tsunami hit the Samoa Island. At least 111 people, and still rising, are confirmed dead. Villages were flattened as the tsunami made its way around the island and its surroundings.