Thoughts on Haiti

I know everybody is well aware by now of the massive 7.0 quake which devastated the already desperate nation of Haiti on January 12.

Since then, the Haitian people have not once been far from my mind. Being here, I feel a mixture of guilt and helplessness. It's a bitter concoction of knowing that I want to do more, but not knowing how. I feel guilty because I have a roof over my head and many of these people do not. I feel guilty because my fridge houses an abundance of food and fresh water and so many Haitians are hungry and thirsty right now as I type this. I feel guilty because as I go about my daily business and watch their tragedy unfold on my big-screen TV these people are experiencing hell on earth. I feel guilty for not doing more to give a voice to the people in the world who may not be receiving worldwide media attention, but whose situations are just as bleak. Darfur, Congo, Cambodia. And that's just to name a few.

I mention this only because I don't want us to forget that while Haiti certainly needs us to step up to the plate for them right now, other countries are in turmoil as well. Their stories are just heard less.

In any case, I am extremely proud to be not only Canadian, but North American today. I don't recall ever seeing this level of outpouring on a country that was not our own and it warms my heart to see people so willing to give something of themselves. That includes sending money to a broken nation - maybe doing without a family meal at McDonalds or a couple of runs to Starbucks. Seems like a small price to pay when it's put that way, doesn't it?

The issue is that even those who survived the quake are now faced with this second dilemma of not being able to meet their own basic human needs; the need for food and water. Not to mention the need for shelter and safety.

You all know I've had a tough couple years having lost so many of my closest loved ones. Well, think of those Haitians who have lost their entire families in one shot. It's hard to imagine because it seems so far away. The toll that the aftermath of this natural disaster is having on them, not just physically but emotionally, is incomprehensible. If any of you have lost somebody who means the world to you, you know what I'm talking about. Now think of losing everybody who means the world to you. Plus your house and all your means of survival.

If we are not inclined to help the Haitians, then God help us.

On Tuesday it will be two weeks since the earthquake. Haiti is still all over the news, but I've noticed it petering off somewhat in the past couple of days. That's showbiz. What happens when the novelty of the story completely wears off and other news stories begin to trickle in? Will we mentally remove ourselves from the situation? My hope is that this will not become an out-of-sight-out-of-mind problem as the shocking photos and headlines gradually diminish. To let this fade out of our consciousness would be to take a sad situation and make it more sad. It's going to require more than a little while to rebuild a country from the ground up.

I know not everybody agrees, but personally I feel that not only would it be nice if we did whatever we could to help, we also have a responsibility to help. In turn, if we don't help, we are being irresponsible. Rwanda comes to mind. And well, the holocaust, for that matter. If helping for you means fifty cents, then that's still help. Any help is better than no help, no matter how you spin it. 

There are so many places to donate, but beware of scams. For a list of reputable organizations, click here: DONATE!

Canadians, for an easy way to donate without having to give out credit card information, text "AID" to 45678. Shortly after you do, you will receive a text back. Reply to that text with "YES" to donate $5. That five bucks will be added to your phone bill at the end of the month.

Americans, same deal, except you text "HAITI" to 90999 and donate $10 per text.

Like I said, I am so proud to be North American today. The way everybody is pitching in makes me feel like maybe we really are who we say we are.