Something to give
I don't usually post about giving to charities. As a Jew, I was raised to believe these kinds of acts have more power when they are not spoken of. But the situation in Haiti is so great, the need is so overwhelming, that I feel uncomfortable not saying anything at all.
I have not been able to speak to this. Haiti is one of the places I have always wanted to go to - even when I was a little girl. My mother went to Haiti in the 1960s, and told me stories about it, and I was entranced. I have studied some of it's culture and religion, both formally in undergraduate school, and informally on my own. I know a little of it's history as it relates to culture and religion - less politically, because I am not great at understanding politics. It's my blind spot.
I read my friend bcholmes's journal. She has been going to Haiti for a number of years now, and working to bring to light a number of injustices that have been going on there. She was there just before the quake, and of course, has been blogging about many aspects of the quake. She is an excellent source of news and perspective, and who to give to.
My family and I do not give to the Red Cross as my grandfather felt that was their fault his leg ended up amputated (we're holding a grudge for him, even though he's been dead since the 1940s - it's a Family Thing). I was going to give to Doctors Without Borders, they are amazing and wonderful. But based on reading bcholmes's journal, I decided to give to two other groups, that are also in Haiti and are Haiti-specific.
First is Partners in Health which is on the ground already and has been providing health care to Haitians for many years now. Images of their care post-quake at the link.
We also gave to Sopdudep School. The headmistress there survived, some of the buildings survived, and she has turned her home and the school into a hospice. At this time, we cannot get money directly to her, but I felt that giving now, when they are able to get the money directly to her, will help people in the most direct way possible.
As the situation in Haiiti evolves and moves forward, so much more will be needed. In the future I will be giving to Habitat for Humanity. I am contemplating volunteering at some point for a rebuilding project. Obviously, there is a lot happening there right now - we are a long way off from that. But there will come a day when it is time to build. I hope I can help then.
If you have not given yet, please do. Every little bit helps. Read bcholmes for updates and news and perspectives. Think about what you can do in the future for Haiti and prepare for that as well.
Hold your loved ones close and be thankful for them. And pray for the people of Haiti. They need us - and we owe them.
N.
I have not been able to speak to this. Haiti is one of the places I have always wanted to go to - even when I was a little girl. My mother went to Haiti in the 1960s, and told me stories about it, and I was entranced. I have studied some of it's culture and religion, both formally in undergraduate school, and informally on my own. I know a little of it's history as it relates to culture and religion - less politically, because I am not great at understanding politics. It's my blind spot.
I read my friend bcholmes's journal. She has been going to Haiti for a number of years now, and working to bring to light a number of injustices that have been going on there. She was there just before the quake, and of course, has been blogging about many aspects of the quake. She is an excellent source of news and perspective, and who to give to.
My family and I do not give to the Red Cross as my grandfather felt that was their fault his leg ended up amputated (we're holding a grudge for him, even though he's been dead since the 1940s - it's a Family Thing). I was going to give to Doctors Without Borders, they are amazing and wonderful. But based on reading bcholmes's journal, I decided to give to two other groups, that are also in Haiti and are Haiti-specific.
First is Partners in Health which is on the ground already and has been providing health care to Haitians for many years now. Images of their care post-quake at the link.
We also gave to Sopdudep School. The headmistress there survived, some of the buildings survived, and she has turned her home and the school into a hospice. At this time, we cannot get money directly to her, but I felt that giving now, when they are able to get the money directly to her, will help people in the most direct way possible.
As the situation in Haiiti evolves and moves forward, so much more will be needed. In the future I will be giving to Habitat for Humanity. I am contemplating volunteering at some point for a rebuilding project. Obviously, there is a lot happening there right now - we are a long way off from that. But there will come a day when it is time to build. I hope I can help then.
If you have not given yet, please do. Every little bit helps. Read bcholmes for updates and news and perspectives. Think about what you can do in the future for Haiti and prepare for that as well.
Hold your loved ones close and be thankful for them. And pray for the people of Haiti. They need us - and we owe them.
N.