When the earth moves
If you haven't heard, there was a massive earthquake that demolished the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince yesterday afternoon. If you have heard, so don't need me to tell you about the hundreds of thousands feared dead, or the many more homeless and injured.
Those reading this may remember that I worked in Haiti back in 2006 for nearly 2 months (before my own house caught fire and burned up). I still have friends there, and communicate regularly with the folks that are carrying on the human rights work that led me there. At least I did; I have not yet heard from the friends I had living there. I do know that the neighborhood where they lived was hit hard, and nearby buildings were destroyed.
I would like to go back, I would like to think my training as a nurse and EMT would be helpful, but given the utter lack of infrastructure and the fact that my Creole language skills never really advanced beyond mediocrity I think I would be greater burden to the system in the immediate aftermath. Perhaps I can go in a few weeks.
In the meantime I am hoping that my friends are alive and unhurt, and I am sending money, through the organization I worked for and still work with: Human Rights Accompaniment Haiti (HURAH).
I have always hated asking people for money, however in light of the dire circumstances now imposed upon a country already struggling with basic infrastructure and rule of law, I am asking those that read this passage to donate whatever they can afford to help those that help others, on the ground in Haiti day in and day out. If $5 is all you can spare, thank you. If it is more, thanks all the same. If you cannot spare anything (and even if you can), then a prayer would be appreciated.
For background, HURAH is composed entirely of unpaid volunteers (of which I am one, a board member since 2008). Any money recieved will go directly toward the victims of the earthquake. 100%, nothing taken off for overhead or operating expenses. If you like you can read about my time in Haiti in 2006 during the election and working in the jails at www.behindthemountain.blogspot.com .
Otherwise the website where you can donate to HURAH is at: www.hurah-inc.org .
Meci anpil.
(many thanks)
Those reading this may remember that I worked in Haiti back in 2006 for nearly 2 months (before my own house caught fire and burned up). I still have friends there, and communicate regularly with the folks that are carrying on the human rights work that led me there. At least I did; I have not yet heard from the friends I had living there. I do know that the neighborhood where they lived was hit hard, and nearby buildings were destroyed.
I would like to go back, I would like to think my training as a nurse and EMT would be helpful, but given the utter lack of infrastructure and the fact that my Creole language skills never really advanced beyond mediocrity I think I would be greater burden to the system in the immediate aftermath. Perhaps I can go in a few weeks.
In the meantime I am hoping that my friends are alive and unhurt, and I am sending money, through the organization I worked for and still work with: Human Rights Accompaniment Haiti (HURAH).
I have always hated asking people for money, however in light of the dire circumstances now imposed upon a country already struggling with basic infrastructure and rule of law, I am asking those that read this passage to donate whatever they can afford to help those that help others, on the ground in Haiti day in and day out. If $5 is all you can spare, thank you. If it is more, thanks all the same. If you cannot spare anything (and even if you can), then a prayer would be appreciated.
For background, HURAH is composed entirely of unpaid volunteers (of which I am one, a board member since 2008). Any money recieved will go directly toward the victims of the earthquake. 100%, nothing taken off for overhead or operating expenses. If you like you can read about my time in Haiti in 2006 during the election and working in the jails at www.behindthemountain.blogspot.com .
Otherwise the website where you can donate to HURAH is at: www.hurah-inc.org .
Meci anpil.
(many thanks)
posted by Jared | 6:32 PM
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