Picture of what once was - and what will be again...
We've all been informed of the tragedy and turmoil Haiti is encountering right now, and many of us across the world are giving our shares to help save them. I have grown to have a passion for Haiti that I never saw coming - ever since I helped fill a tractor-trailor full of clothes, food and water to help them with the last hurricane. This event has officially brought me to tears. A co-worker of mine cannot locate her daughter - and I have done all I can to make sure she stays connected.
Many people are either uneducated or misinformed about a lot of the charitable things going on right now in light of the situation. I hope to bring everyone up to speed on things - through my experiences over the past week, and what I have discovered today as well...
FIRST: I would like to inform all my T-Mobile subscribers, that the wireless company has changed their policy and waived the "international charges" to call Haiti. This means that your phone calls home will be considered a domestic call, and this lasts until the 31st of this month. I am extremely proud and surprised that the company is actually being this generous, in a time when quite a few companies are capitalizing on the plight of the Haitian people.
Speaking of CAPITALIZING: Have you been texting donations to not-for-profit organizations?
We often assume that when we donate to charities - all of the proceeds go towards the cause. Unfortunately, this is sometimes far from the case - and it is our duty as donors to know where are money is going and how it is being spent. I am priviledged to work with a brilliant marketing director at work, and she put me up on game today.
I have been promoting Yele Haiti - Wyclef's organization throughout the week, encouraging my team members and co-workers to text and donate money to his cause. Today, though - I read articles claiming that a large amount of the funds are being put towards "administrative fees" - almost fifty percent according to some sources. I, personally am skeptical of this. There are media outlets that are quick to denounce big named celebrities and their efforts, in order to shine light on another program instead. From watching Wyclef over the years, his foundation has helped thousands of Haitians across the small island, and he continues to show his commitment to his people. There are not many human beings of wealth who would willingly fly to a third-world country and walk amongst the poor and the dead - no matter the financial gain. I believe we should continue supporting his cause - especially since Yele Haiti will be Fed-Ex flying parcels and pallets of food, water and supplies to Haiti this week. I implore you, though - to be a conscious consumer and donor - and research organizations BEFORE contributing your funds to them. A wise man once said, "Men lie, women lie - numbers don't." Let's see who comes through on the forefront.
Yele Haiti will be accepting the following donations tomorrow, Sunday - January 17th between the hours of 9am and 3pm:
- Nutrition Bars (i.e. Balance/Cliff bars) in cases/boxes or individually
- Blankets and sheets - (unopened and in store wrapping)
- Non-battery radios and flashlights (wind-up or solar)
- Candles (loose or in packaging)
Please bring these items to
the Adrian Arsht Center
1300 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida, 33132
You can also text 'Yele" to 501501 and add $5.00 to your phone bill towards monetary donations. These will be used to purchase the items that are in extreme need, including medical supplies and food.
Consider these the essentials. The people of Haiti have nowhere to cook or wash. They are cold, and exposed to the elements. There is nowhere to charge a phone, change a flashlight battery, there is barely a signal for radio. There is little electricity, because power lines have been downed or damaged for days. They are in dire need of these items. To view Yele Haiti's updates and watch Wyclef denounce the allegations of profiting from his organization - click here.
The accredited organization that I support as well is Food For the Poor. This not-for-profit has been stationed in Haiti for over 30 years, and have bases set up on the island for distribution. After the last hurricane, I assisted my mother at Spirit Airlines in collecting resources with them. These items were shipped within a week of collection and distributed to those in need. Spirit Airlines, my former internship - will be shipping these items free of charge for the organization. Right now, I am collecting clothing, non-perishable food and supplies to be sent to Spirit's corporate office in Miramar, Florida - then picked up for transport by Food For the Poor. I have set up a station at work along with my co-workers in order to accept donations as quickly as possible. I will be picking up donations from those who are unable to drop them off this week, to expedite distribution. This is serious. Food For the Poor's update page can be found here, where you can make donations, find out the latest news from Haiti, or volunteer your services.
At Whole Foods Market, stores in South Florida will be accepting donations of $1, $5, and $10 to help Food For the Poor with their aid efforts. The organization is the number one charity in the country - using only one percent of the proceeds for administrative costs. That is amazing, and we can't help but trust them. Right now they are currently deployed in Haiti - so we are waiting for an update on the distribution of the items.
Please visit sites like charitynavigator.org - to research organizations before you donate. It is CRUCIAL to the aid movement that we put our funds in the hands of those who will use them appropriately. There are scammers and half-cocked groups who claim to help - but have motives that are not conducive to the prosperity of the Haitian people.
Please visit sites like charitynavigator.org - to research organizations before you donate. It is CRUCIAL to the aid movement that we put our funds in the hands of those who will use them appropriately. There are scammers and half-cocked groups who claim to help - but have motives that are not conducive to the prosperity of the Haitian people.
I implore all of you to help in any way that you can. Skip that cup of coffee and spend a dollar on a donation. Cancel that ringtone purchase and text your donation through cell phone. Hold off on that t-shirt you wanted to buy, and purchase a sheet set for a cold child in need. We can all help - and consider the lives of comfort we lead at this moment. Times may be hard for some of us - but imagine your entire world crashing down around you. Most of us cannot say we've experienced that. And we should pray that we never do. For if the time comes that the tables turn - who will help us??
I pray for the day that my co-worker will be united with her daughter. I lay my head at night, thinking of the anguish she must be experiencing every day. The faster Haiti recovers, the faster mothers like her will have their children back.
"Paz" (peace) - Kimi
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