Haiti: Why We Care
I was recently speaking to a friend about how the people in our circle had stood up for Haiti, relaying information, organising fundraising events or simply donating. Like many others, it was the first time that I personally got involved. I do not think of myself as selfish, on the contrary. Giving back to the community is what drives me (and drives this website) but I had never put my hand in my pocket to give money or raise money for a cause.
However, when the earthquake happened, I did not hesitate to give: first money, then time.
Check out our project A Word for Haiti
It is only now that I ask myself why I was so prompt to react to this disaster when I didn’t do anything for Darfur or the 2004 Tsunami. I have given my answer below, the first comment to this piece.
So I’m asking you – the person who gave money, the one who organised a collection, the one who put together a fundraising event to support Haiti relief and the one who went there to help: why?
I was blessed to have spent most of my formative years being educated in the Caribbean. Although born here I do consider myself a child of the Caribbean and so when the earthquake hit Haiti I felt like it had hit home. This could have been my little Nevis, the victims could have been my friends, my family. I knew that I had to do more than just donate my money. I had to give of myself .
Haiti will rise again and I am honoured to be a part of that movement .
http://www.mixx.com/videos/11018433/youtube_rise_again_haiti_official_full_length_video_digicel_haiti_relief_fund
This is a great piece Alice and I really commend you for A Word for Haiti – it is an incredible idea and will be a piece of history. I haven’t done nearly as much I want to but I will help out as much as I can.
I’ve always felt a special connection to Haiti – it’s stands out in the Caribbean as a little piece of Africa in the West Indies. And the historic injustices levelled against the country make the catastrophe all the more tragic. Here’s to a brighter future for Haiti.
Personally I was tired of watching the news and commenting on how bad I felt about Haiti’s situation. I wanted to act and make a difference. I knew I couldn’t do it all by myself and knew that with some help from my friends we as a collective could all make a difference and do something positive for those that are less fortunate than ourselves. I wanted to inspire my daughter that action speaks louder than words and that she should not take things for granted.
When the Tsunami happened I donated money to a recognised charity but was never sure if my money did for the people what I was told it would. I suppose this way I am more in control as not only will I raise the money but I can also follow it through and ensure it gets to those who are most in need.
History wasn’t my favourite subject in school: I tend to forget dates and I’m much more interested in the present and what’s happening now (but yes I know the saying “if you don’t know where you’re coming from…”) Despite that, I knew one thing about Haiti: that it was the first independent black nation in the world. I also knew that it all went downhill from there with Haiti being today one of the poorest countries in the world.
My first instinctive reaction upon hearing about the disaster was: haven’t they paid enough? I was sent many links about Haiti’s history that reinforced that feeling: the country has never ceased to pay for daring to claim independence from colonizers.
I think that’s what touched me most: the injustice of it all. So I decided to act. Hopefully I will not stop there and will be a bit more altruistic in the future. I was also fortunate to be part of a group of people (Black Londoners Appeal for Haiti) that wanted to do something. As black people it’s especially important to show that we are involved and giving aid. African / Caribbean people from the diaspora, should be the first to help.