As many of you are probably aware, Haiti suffered a major catastrophe 3 days ago that has left the entire island in shambles. There has been a lot of dialogue regarding why this happened, online. As I read the commentaries, I am both proud and elated that our President has stepped up and made other world leaders do the same. What has troubled me are the perspectives that continue to pop up from leftists radicals claiming that somehow Haitians brought this natural disaster on themselves? I was in transit yesterday and a West Indian woman with a thick accent went as far as to say that she hates Haitians and wished they were all swallowed up by the quacke! Makes you wonder why folks dislike a people whose only vice is that they never allowed themselves to be enslaved...by ANYONE. Because this is such a loaded topic, I leave you with this little bit a of food for thought..........
There is not a single instance in history where hate has brought joy to human beings. Hate destroys those who hold it in their minds and bodies. If humanity released all hate, fear, and resentment, then no dictator could ever rise, and we would have peace on earth.
Peace on earth can occur only through peace within each of us.
-Rhonda Byrne
Author of The Secret
I send this mesage to all of the crazy radicals that somehow seem to think that the Haitian people deserve what they’ve just endured.....and will continue to face. I reiterate, NOYONE deserves to lose everything in the violent manner in which so many Haitian people have over the last few days. Noyone deserves to live in agony, not knowing if their loved ones are alive. Again, I commend the actions of President Obama and other world leaders who are finally stepping up to the plate to aid a country that has been in dire need for more than a few decades. There is absolutely no real, creditable reason why this country has not received the foreign aid it’s needed to build infrastructure and stimulate economic growth, empowerment and stabilization and we all know that the world an no longer turn it's back on this country.
SMART MONEY TIP: Donations to charitable organizations and relief organizations are tax deductions that reduce your tax liability, make a donation to relief fund today and do something good for your conscience and your tax status. Below is a list of organizations you can go to donate to HELP HAITI!
- Doctors without Borders – has already set up emergency relief clinics on the ground, give $$ (may need supplies later as well)
- Grassroots Online – partnering w/local social justice organizations to help distribute food, medical supplies, & other needs identified by Haitian social justice workers; asking for: Donate $$
- Haiti Emergency Relief Fund – has been inworking on social, political, and human rights issues in Haiti for 6 years, asking: Donate $$
- International Medical Core – currently deploying medical aid, asking for: donate $$
- Madre – works with community based Haitian women’s organizations, will be helping women in crisis, needs: water tablets, antibiotics, medical supplies, also distributing food & clean water asking for: donate $$ or supplies, call for more info
- Medical Teams International – sending teams to Haiti, 1st leaves tomorrow, asking for: donate $$ or medical supplies
- Mercy Corp – putting together aid packages, sending ppl to help soon give $$ or volunteer
- Operation Blessing – religious organization providing food, clean water, and basic medical supplies to Haiti, asking for : Donate $$
- Operation USA – mobilizing to send medical aid, asking for: donate $$
- Oxfam – you can donate over the phone @ 0300 200 1999, at any Oxfam shop, or online
- Partners in Health – has clinics in Haiti, asking for medical supplies: Temporary field hospital by us at UNDP needs supplies, pain meds, bandages.
- Quixote Center – long term grassroots organization working in US & Haiti, works w/ women’s groups & is sending earthquake aid
- Red Cross has already allotted funds to relief effort; you can give money via link or text “Haiti” to #90999 to give $10; NO volunteer opportunities @ this time
- Salvation army: asking for: donate $$
- Save the Children emergency team already in Haiti give $ or volunteer
- ShelterBox – has deployed a response team, needs donations
- UNICEF – emergency teams already in Haiti give $ or volunteer
- World Concern – offering food, clean water, blankets, and temp shelter to victims, asking for: Donate $$ (special link for Canadians so they don’t have to convert to dollars)
- World Food Programme – provides emergency meals and clean water, sking for: Donate $$
- World Vision – has existing Christian based children’s services in Haiti asking: donate $$, sponsor a child, pray for Haiti
- Yele - the site has crashed due to so much interest in helping out but you can still donate $5 by texting the word “yele” to #501501 (I believe the $ is going to the red cross)
Stay tuned later today for a video commentary my two sidekicks (Bob and Mike) put together in response to the plight in Haiti....sit back and listen, the teen perspective, albeit, crude and somewhat immature at times, is very real...... despite the evident verbal venting...they say some pretty insightful things......check it out!
As always, sending you hugs and love,
Niurka
Yele is a foundation set up by Wyclef Jean. I think that, because it is a foundation not an organization with paid employees, that the money will reach people and not be used up in administrative costs.
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