Monday, July 5, 2010

6 Months in the making

It's been almost exactly 6 months since the Jan 12 earthquake that devastated a nation already living on the extremes of poverty. For those of you that follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook, you know that I've tried to do my part to help Haiti from afar. I've witnessed the very best in humanity, and I've seen the shortcomings of organizations that run archaic systems that are no longer relevant. I've seen the eyes of the world avert their focus from the harshness of how these people are expected to live. Eyes that I myself had closed until January 12, 2010. But they are open now. Wide, wide open. And amazed.

Amazed by the intolerable living conditions, 6 months later. Amazed by the children, expected to look after children. Amazed that, in 2010, politics are permitted to keep an entire nation living in such extreme poverty that people have to give their children away for fear of them starving (I am aware that there are countries with situations similar to Haiti in terms of oppression - I still find it amazing)

Post EQ, I worked with an amazing group of dedicated volunteers on Twitter to facilitate communication systems, distribute aid, report emergencies and provide support in any way we could. We beta tested a ground-breaking SMS emergency response system called Ushahidi that will change the world of disaster response forever. We've seen the shortcomings of traditional NGO systems and hope to work with them to transition to a new way of working.

In short, I've been able to help in my own small way. But as the months rolled on, and the red tape got thicker, I was able to help less and less.
Feeling a void, I knew in my heart that I needed to get to Haiti to connect with a people that have touched my soul. So, on July 24th, I'll be joining wwwAHomeInHaiti.org as they break ground on newly purchased property to build a school for an orphanage and do census-style interviews with locals to begin plans for sustainable housing.

A Home In Haiti (AHIH) has shipped over $1.5MILLION worth of tents that provide over 30,000 people temporary shelter. I'm honoured to be asked to be a part of Phase 2 of this amazing organization (started by ONE 25 year old from Atlanta. ONE person. Stunning)

In the coming weeks I will be updating this blog with information on the trip and hope that you find it interesting and educational. If you feel inclined to help in any way, please let me know. I am hoping to go with a number of medical supplies (gauze, bandages, gloves, etc), over the counter medications (vitamins, Tylenol, etc), and childrens clothes. I would be forever grateful for any donations of these items, or donations of money to purchase them. My PayPal information is melissa.elliott@blackboxcommunications.ca

Thanks for taking the time to read this post! I'll try to make future ones a little less...wordy.

Mèsi & Bonswa!
Melissa

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