Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers

[Gailey]

Date: 1/14/2010 12:31:12 AM
Author: Should Be Studying
Hello all,

I am a longtime lurker who has only posted once. I enjoy reading this website for the support and compassion you all provide to each other. As a Haitian-American with family in Port-Au-Prince, I am hoping that everyone around the world continues to pray for Haiti and provide whatever sort of support possible.

I was born in America, but I have traveled to Haiti several times to see my family. I was there just a few months ago and I was happy to see that things seemed to be getting better compared to the last time I was there. That being said, the poverty there is SHOCKING and UNBELIEVABLE. To be honest, it hurts me to go there because I cannot stand to see the conditions that people live in. CNN keeps repeating that Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, but those words do not convey the plight of the Haitian people. I thought I had seen the worst of it, but now these people truly have NOTHING.

I have been lucky enough to hear from my family, and I am so thankful that they are alive. But they report that the devastation is indescribable. I have been watching as people post on facebook (from their Blackberrys) about being trapped under rubble, or calling for help for their families and friends. It looks horrible on TV, but I guarantee you it is so much worse in real life. Haiti has no infrastructure, their government is truly useless, and the people are on their own. I have lived through catastrophic hurricanes and seen my city destroyed, but I am lucky enough to live in a country where the government was here to help immediately. They have nothing. They are using their hands to dig people out from under the rubble, because they have no tools or bulldozers. These people are living a nightmare, without the benefit of waking up.

This is just the beginning. Food will run out quickly (the markets are destroyed, and they have no power to preserve anything anyway), disease will spread quickly. They are already running out of medical supplies.

I am writing this partly because it has hit so close to home. It is not just a news story...these people are scared (they are still experiencing aftershocks) and confused. They are heartbroken. So I mostly write this to encourage you to PLEASE DO WHATEVER YOU CAN. If you can donate money, supplies, ANYTHING, please do. There are issues with sending money legitimately, but some good organizations have already been mentioned. Anything will help.

Please continue to keep Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. And please do whatever you can to help.

Thank you so much for reading this long post.

Welcome to Pricescope ShouldbeStudying. I am glad that you have heard from your family and that they were not hurt. As we are all begining to realise, that statement whilst comforting by no means suggests that they or the other people not trapped in rubble are out of the woods - far from it.

I think given my geographical location right now is largely why I am feeling so affected by this tragedy and I want to continue to feel this way even when I get home in the early hours of tomorrow morning, that way I can continue to galvanise myserlf into action.

It seems to me one of the basic things needed right now is means of power generation. I believe GE has huge mobile generators that were used after 9/ll. I don''t know if they are transportable across sea - they must be. I hope that the major corporations around the world will help.

We were sitting close to what appeared to be very senior management of this hotel chain last night at dinner (tricky to tell for sure becausre they were all talking in Spanish). There is a vast number of hotel chains that operate in DR. I would like to think that they will help too. It is a huge logistical feat to feed the hundreds of thousands of tourists that come to the DR every year. I would like to think that they would be in a position to divert some of those resources to Haiti in the coming weeks. Similarly, the number of airlines from across the world that fly in here may also be in a position to help.

I know next to nothing about the political infrastructure in DR, but I am guessing there must me a minister responsible for tourism here, I will try and find out who that is and see what can be done to lobby some of these organisations. I know there is not a lot of love lost between DR and Haiti, but I sincerely hope people in DR will rise above it for something so serious and so fundamental as this earthquake. It could so easily have happened on this side of the border.

On a personal note, close neighbours of mine at home, a surgeon and his wife who is a nurse, belong to an organisation that sends medical personnel into areas where natural disasters such as this occur. In fact, I would not be surprised not to see then when I get home. I don''t know what the name of their organisation is, I am ashamed to say, but I intend to find out and to make a donation. That will be a start.

Don''t expect to be reading about my gem projects any time soon folks, my budget is being diverted for the time being. I shall still be ogling though!

 

[Gailey]

Here is a statement from the Dominican Republic''s Ministry of Tourism I have to say, the statement seemed to be as much about reassuring the world that it is safe to travel to the DR following the earthquake in Haiti as it is about pledging support for their neighbour. It does however, provide the folloiwng link to a CNN site who in turn lists all the relief organisations involved in help for Haiti. Please visit this link:


http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/


Thanks to the remarkable Google, I now know who the Secretary of State for tourism is here in DR, so I will write to him today to ask him to clarify exactly what aid DR is offering and what he is doing to galvanise support from the many international corporations that run the resorts here.

 

[jewelz617]

Great link Gailey thank you! I''m so happy someone here had an inside scoop from a location so close to Haiti.

Should be Studying, I''m so glad you have heard from your family. It must have been awful knowing that this happened and not being able to get through. My thoughts are with everyone there. Hopefully the donations will arrive quickly...

 

[junebug17]

My mind almost can''t comprehend a tragedy like this, what is unimaginable to me is reality for them, it is shocking and heartbreaking. They had so little to begin with, what little resources they had have been taken away. I will be making a contribution today, but feel so helpless. So extremely sad.

 

[AGBF]

This has become a remarkable thread. Gailey and Should Be Studying, you have added so much by being able to tell us about what it is like to be on the island. I thank you both. I know you will soon be home, Gailey. Should Be Studying, I welcome any more postings that you have the time to make.

Best wishes to both of you.

Hugs,
AGBF

 

[Gailey]

It is certainly very surreal. I walk amongst happy, nonchalant holiday makers, who for the most part seem not to know or not to care. Actually, that's pretty judgemental on my part because I can neither understand the many different languages I am hearing nor can I read minds. And of course people should feel that way in such a paradise as this. Maisie's recent avatar really does show the paradise that it is here. Heck up until two days ago, I was one of them. Well, not quite the same I would venture. My sunglasses were from Shoppers Drug Mart and my beach bag was very definitely not the same as the D&G ones that abounded around me on the beach.

I've only had 3 foreign tropical holidays in my life - including this one and I've spent a better part of it watching and regaling the staff of local people here who work 16 hour shifts and smile all day long and probably for a very low minimum wage.

I lunge between feelings of guilt on behalf of the local exploitation to marvelling how tourism here has given these people a far higher standard of living than those of impoverished Hatian neighbours. It must be a bit like thinking of the gruelling work that the gem miners do that result in some of the exquisite gems we see on Pricescope.

I can't even say that this will be a life changing event for me and that from now on I will be devoting my life to the relief of poor nations who suffer such unfair and such frequent natural disasters. I can say ashamedly that I did not feel the way I do today about the catastrophic Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 when some 245,000 people lost their lives even if I did make a finanial donation.

All I can say is that I am not quite the same person I was two days ago. I will go home and I will do my small bit to make a difference. My most ferverant hope is that everyone who reads this thread will also make a small effort of time or of money. Every small step counts and every dime counts.

After I lost my sister and I lost our Mum to a car crash, we found literally dozens of raffle tickets that she had bought in support of such a wide range of charitable causes. Everything from Sudanese orphans to a new wing on the local old folks home.

You have to believe that every effort, no matter how large or small will do good and is worth it. So I will say to Junebug, don't feel helpless because what you do will help.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

I donated 10 dollars. It''s really all I can afford right now but I figure 5 bucks will buy a 30 pack of clean water, so that is 60 bottles of clean water for people who normally wouldn''t have it. Isn''t that more important than buying a pack of soda when we go grocery shopping anyways?

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 1/14/2010 11:55:20 AM
Author: Smurfyimproved
I donated 10 dollars. It''s really all I can afford right now but I figure 5 bucks will buy a 30 pack of clean water, so that is 60 bottles of clean water for people who normally wouldn''t have it. Isn''t that more important than buying a pack of soda when we go grocery shopping anyways?

Same! If everyone who thought 10 dollars wouldnt make a difference just DID donate the 10 dollars... that would be a whole lot of money!

 

[partgypsy]

Here are other organizations to keep in mind.

Partners in Health have medical facilities just a little outside Port a Prince and in the plateau, and as they have been established there for 20+ years are on the ground helping people as we speak.

International Child Care is the organization my father in law was/is involved with. Their primary facility is hospital that serves children with TB, but also provides primary care/preventative services for the local community. Unfortunately as of yesterday they have not been able to get in touch with hospital, did not know the status of the hospital... They will need help in coming weeks months to both help and most probably to rebuild.

6 months, a year from now think of Haiti again. Consider donating to Habitat for Humanity International. So many people who had so little now have nothing, with no place to live. The people fleeing Port a Prince right now will eventually have to return, but to what?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

The Seattle Times is on my kitchen counter with an article about Haiti on the front. I cannot even bring myself to read it. . .Thoughts and prayers go out to all of those there.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

Date: 1/14/2010 12:44:55 PM
Author: MC
The Seattle Times is on my kitchen counter with an article about Haiti on the front. I cannot even bring myself to read it. . .Thoughts and prayers go out to all of those there.

I can tell you what it said...

"Many survivors broke out into communal song, seeking to soothe themselves and remain calm in a city with no power, little water, a limited number of habitable buildings and scores of bodies strewn along roadways.

About 6:30 p.m., the songs turned into screams, as a strong aftershock hit." -Denverpost

This is so sad, I just about started crying when I read this

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 1/14/2010 12:52:18 PM
Author: Smurfyimproved

Date: 1/14/2010 12:44:55 PM
Author: MC
The Seattle Times is on my kitchen counter with an article about Haiti on the front. I cannot even bring myself to read it. . .Thoughts and prayers go out to all of those there.

This is so sad, I just about started crying when I read this

That''s why I don''t want to read it. For a few reasons, I''ve spent the last month crying nearly every other day.

Can take only so much. When I quickly glanced at the front page (while packing my kids'' lunches of all things) I read they Haitians are (almost?) out of water.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

Date: 1/14/2010 1:01:06 PM
Author: MC

Date: 1/14/2010 12:52:18 PM

Author: Smurfyimproved

Date: 1/14/2010 12:44:55 PM

Author: MC

The Seattle Times is on my kitchen counter with an article about Haiti on the front. I cannot even bring myself to read it. . .Thoughts and prayers go out to all of those there.

This is so sad, I just about started crying when I read this

That''s why I don''t want to read it. For a few reasons, I''ve spent the last month crying nearly every other day.

Can take only so much. When I quickly glanced at the front page (while packing my kids'' lunches of all things) I read they Haitians are (almost?) out of water.

It is very sad indeed

It really put my "problems" in perspective

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 1/14/2010 1:06:19 PM
Author: Smurfyimproved

Date: 1/14/2010 1:01:06 PM
Author: MC
That's why I don't want to read it. For a few reasons, I've spent the last month crying nearly every other day.

Can take only so much. When I quickly glanced at the front page (while packing my kids' lunches of all things) I read they Haitians are (almost?) out of water.

It is very sad indeed

It really put my 'problems' in perspective

Yeah, my husband and I talked about this. Dec. was a crazy month. I know of six people who died during that time period. Two from family, another (not really family anymore) is an ex-husband of my great aunt, another two are parents related to members of my kids' school, plus a baby. This has really freaked me out, but then DH reminded me that thousands die at a time when a disaster hits. I cannot fathom being the only family member remaining and loosing ALL friends and family. I under stand the nature of people to fight for their lives, but under those circumstances, the motivation could so easily be lost.

 

[luv2sparkle]

We also lost 5 people this holiday season who were friends and acquaintances -I can''t imagine that many losses at one time. I have been hearing about numerous
relief organizations and groups from local churches who were already there and helping out in hospitals and orphanages at the time of the earthquake. God had
extra people there ready to help out. It is interesting to me also, that of all these groups, I haven''t heard of one person being injured from among them!

From southern california, I have heard that LA County Fire search and rescue teams left last night for Haiti. These men are among the most highly trained and have been
planning for just this kind of disaster literally for five years. They are bringing with them food and supplies for the people and search and rescue dogs. I personally
know some of these men and they are passionate about this work.

I have also heard that Orange County Fire Authority will be sending a crew as well. Still, our prayers and donations are crucial. What a time to show the people of the
world that Americans, as well as other nations, have a heart for the hurting people of the world.

 

[Gailey]

Nearly time to leave for the airport. Anyone who is interested in the aid response from the Dominican Republic should follow the stories in the on-line newspaper Dominican Today The comments section is as illuminating as the editorial.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/14/2010 12:31:57 PM
Author: part gypsy

Here are other organizations to keep in mind.

Partners in Health have medical facilities just a little outside Port a Prince and in the plateau, and as they have been established there for 20+ years are on the ground helping people as we speak.

International Child Care is the organization my father in law was/is involved with. Their primary facility is hospital that serves children with TB, but also provides primary care/preventative services for the local community. Unfortunately as of yesterday they have not been able to get in touch with hospital, did not know the status of the hospital... They will need help in coming weeks months to both help and most probably to rebuild.

6 months, a year from now think of Haiti again. Consider donating to Habitat for Humanity International. So many people who had so little now have nothing, with no place to live. The people fleeing Port a Prince right now will eventually have to return, but to what?

I gave to the Salvation Army; they have a separate fund for the earthquake in Haiti. That is another option. I love Habitat for Humanity, but I also love the Salvation Army. They have almost no overhead. Everything they collect goes to the people who need help.

AGBF

 

[partgypsy]

I don''t think there is a wrong place to donate in a time like this.

They are running out of water because (like electricity, fuel, other public services) clean water is not a service provided by the government. So people either drink bottled water or risk drinking from contaminated water. Most probably, the factory that supplies bottled water is non-operational. So many things that we take for granted that our local or national government provides for, do not exist there.

If I hear anything more from my father in law regarding conditions, will post.

 

[Should Be Studying]

Thank you to everyone for your warm welcome. I just heard from my cousin (she is more like a sister) on facebook, and although I heard that she was OK almost immediately after the earthquake, it was such a relief to hear from her directly today. Today was one of the first days that I have cried over what is going on in Haiti, perhaps because I was in shock the past few days. I was listening to NPR this morning on the way to school, and they were describing how the people are without water, and how there is just desolation and desperation one every corner. They were talking about an 8-year old girl who was alone at a clinic because she lost her entire family (11 people) when her home collapsed. I cannot imagine what that must be like, but this is just ONE story.

I have been talking to so many people, and so many of us are paralyzed by what we see on CNN. The pictures are heartbreaking, and for some reason we cannot stop watching. I think we ALL feel helpless, but please recognize that every little bit does help. I was shocked to see how many people at my school were not even aware of what happened in Haiti, because we are bombarded with news stories, and now "Pants on the Ground" has overtaken Haiti as the number one Twitter topic. We have short-term memories (I don''t mean to offend anyone, but these are generalizations that of course do not apply to everyone), but THIS IS NOT JUST A NEWS STORY. People are still searching for their friends and family members, dealing with aftershocks, looting, and a lack of food/water/other supplies. Those who are alive are sad, angry, scared, hopeful, uncertain--an entire range of emotions. Everything they know is gone, and they don''t know how they are going to get through it.

Each and every one of us can do something to help. Whether it is a financial donation (however big or small) or just spreading the word to others so that they can donate supplies/food/time etc., please do something! Every little bit helps.

 

[Should Be Studying]

I am sorry for writing so much, but I just wanted to comment on a few things individually.

PinkAsscher Thank you for starting this thread.

fiery I agree that donating supplies is great, but because of the logistics and difficulty of getting things into Haiti, they are saying money is the best donation at this time. I have heard that UNICEF and Food for the Poor give 100% of donations to the relief effort, without taking out any administrative costs. I am not sure if this is true.

AGBF Thank you for your comments here and in the Around the World forum. I wanted to include a real-life perspective because I know that the news can be so surreal. You are right--humans are humans and we are supposed to help each other in times of need and especially crisis. Although I have seen some negative comments made on other sites, the overwhelming majority of the commentary and news has been positive and hopeful (in the sense of providing aid). Crisis can bring out the worst in people, but it is beautiful to see the outpouring of love and support that the entire world (CNN just said 30 countries so far have joined together to help!) is willing to provide to this tiny country.

Gailey It was great to read your description of what it is like in the DR. The disparity between the two countries is incredible, but hopefully they will continue to step up and provide support. I read through the website you provided, and I agree that there was some promotion of their tourism, but as far as I am concerned their motivations do not matter as long as they are helping! I was shocked to read that the Haitian President landed in DR--that is what makes Haiti's situation so grave--they have no government! People are digging out friends/family members with their hands and coordinating their own rescue efforts, and their own President is fleeing the country. As for you doing your "small bit to make a difference," remember that ANYTHING you do (with this disaster and anything) will make a difference. If there are enough people doing a small bit, we can accomplish so much!



Smurfy and elledizzy You are right...any donation helps! These text message campaigns have already raised so much money!

part gypsy This is definitely an ongoing effort! I agree that there is no wrong place to donate to right now (well, among the many trusted sources...I would definitely not give my bank account number out!) I am wondering if my family will come here for a bit, but I have the same question that you asked...what will they go back to? I hope the hospital your FIL works with is OK, and the communication is so bad that it makes sense that they have not gotten word back yet. I hope they hear something soon.

MC I am sorry for your bad December. It is hard to lose one person, let alone six. I hope January is a better month!

luv2sparkle I give so much credit to the firefighters, doctors, and other volunteers who risk their lives to help. They are so courageous.

 

[somethingshiny]

AGBF~ Thanks for the info about the Salvation Army. I wasn''t sure where to donate but SA is one of my favorites, so I''m glad to hear they have a Haiti fund and I feel comfortable sending money to them.

SBS~ Thank you for writing so much in this thread. I''m glad to hear your family is okay.

Gailey~ I can''t imagine how it must''ve felt to be so close to this tragedy. Thank you for your updates.

 

[Tuckins1]

I am a teacher and some of us are trying to organize a fund raiser at our school. I don''t know how well it will go over because we are in a VERY poor area... but hopefully we can get SOMETHING.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/14/2010 5:43:36 PM
Author: somethingshiny

AGBF~ Thanks for the info about the Salvation Army. I wasn''t sure where to donate but SA is one of my favorites, so I''m glad to hear they have a Haiti fund and I feel comfortable sending money to them.

somethingshiny, Thank you so much for letting me know this! It makes my day!

AGBF

 

[jewelz617]

Don't forget about Doctors Without Borders, either for donations.

 

[AGBF]

Date: 1/14/2010 9:16:28 PM
Author: PinkAsscher678

Don't forget about Doctors Without Borders, either for donations.

They are soooo wonderful. And they will be needed so badly! Here is a link to their website.

AGBF

 

[Should Be Studying]

Doctors Without Borders is great. Brad and Angelina donated $1 million to them today. (That's not why they are great, it is just a sidenote...lol)

Has anyone mentioned Food For the Poor? http://www.foodforthepoor.org/ I know that they already have the logistics to get goods in Haiti (they had trucks and supplies there today already), so that's another thought.

ETA: I just realized I mentioned Food for the Poor already. Oops! Don't worry...this is not my way of promoting any particular charity

 

[jewelz617]

Date: 1/14/2010 9:39:22 PM
Author: Should Be Studying
Doctors Without Borders is great. Brad and Angelina donated $1 million to them today. (That''s not why they are great, it is just a sidenote...lol)


Has anyone mentioned Food For the Poor? http://www.foodforthepoor.org/ I know that they already have the logistics to get goods in Haiti (they had trucks and supplies there today already), so that''s another thought.


ETA: I just realized I mentioned Food for the Poor already. Oops! Don''t worry...this is not my way of promoting any particular charity

I wanted to dislike Angelina Jolie for the longest time (this was during her Billy Bob days) but you can''t deny her charity work has been nothing short of extraordinary. So glad to hear about her wonderful donation, that''s going to get a lot of doctors and supplies where they need to be.

 

[monarch64]

Great thread, very informative re. donations. For the record, I think donating money or effort to any disaster/those in need is absolutely the right thing to do if you are able. I am happy to see that so many of our PS members have made suggestions as far as legitimate organizations which will facilitate the handling of the donations.

 

[CDNinNYC]

If you're thinking of making a monetary donation, please check with your employer to inquire if they're willing to match. DH's work matched his contribution, which was great.

 

[loriken214]

World Vision is also accepting donations that go directly to Haiti. I sponsor a child in Bangladesh and trust World Vision completely.

Any amount will help! I''m just hurting for everyone who has been affected by this tragedy. I can''t imagine what it must be like to go without the basics of life....water, food, shelter....and will continue to give what I can.

Lori