People, Not Haitians

A 7.0 earthquake struck Port au Prince, Haiti last evening (1/12/10). This is a devastating blow to an already impoverished country with little infrastructure for stability. It’s estimated that over 3 million people have already been displaced, and the death toll is in the thousands.

I’ve been in humanitarian work long enough to know that this is a time to leave the relief work to the experts and for the rest of us to do what we can to help them do what they do best. I’d be the first to be on a plane to Haiti, ready to pull people out of the trenches. However, utilizing our networks to help raise the funds for relief supplies is what they need most, not me running around acting like I know what I’m doing.

There are hundreds of excellent aid agencies in Haiti that are tackling this crisis. I happen to know one of them well, and that’s Danita’s Children. Karris Hudson, has been in Haiti for 8 years now. I know many people that support her efforts there. We go to the same church here in Nashville and she and my sister were close in high school. Suffice it to say, I know their work, I know donations go straight to the people they serve, they know what they’re doing and I trust them.

If you want to help, I urge you to give to Danita’s Children and follow their lead on how to help. You can see their updates and make donations here.

It’s not “those Haitians” that are in trouble. It’s real live human beings. It’s mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, just like you and me. If you truly believe we are all equal, this is a good time to put your money where your mouth is.

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