The Hearts of Haiti
By Elisa-Marie Dumas, Director of Member Relations, FWE&E
As Haiti experienced yet another devastating aftershock today, I find myself feeling incredibly sad for the community that I had been so close to just a few days ago. My husband and I flew to the Dominican Republic for a belated honeymoon, returning the day before the quake hit. Although we did not visit the island of Haiti, we met several Haitians in DR, as well as many of the locals. In the US we complain about how horrible the economy was in 2009. Believe me, as bad as it was here, most of us are much better off than the majority of people in poverty-stricken countries. This was the first time that my husband had travelled outside of the US. As we walked down the street, what disturbed him is something I’ve seen many times around the world. Poverty was everywhere. Entire families live in cinderblock houses smaller than my living room. It’s heartbreaking that there are so few resources to help them. Despite their dire circumstances, these people are some of the most beautiful, generous, and kind people I’ve ever met. They don’t beg for food or money and don’t want charity. But they’ll do anything for the smallest amount of money that could equate to what your child might receive from the tooth fairy. And even though they have so little, they’re willing to share what they have with their neighbors. In that spirit of generosity, I hope you’ll help those who are happy with so little, when we are blessed with so much. I encourage you to support the Haiti earthquake relief effort any way you can. It’s easy. You can text the Red Cross at 90999 to donate $10, or you can go to their link to donate http://www.redcross.org/ For more ways to help, there’s a list of other organizations at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/.
January 22nd, 2010 at 11:19 am
Thank you for this message, Elisa-Marie. While my heart is heavy for those who suffer in Haiti, my stronger hope is strong that women “leaders” of all types will be a beacon of light in this disaster. Perhaps this is an opportunity disguised or even buried behind walls of current challenges - where we as women can step up, speak up and allow this crisis to help us all make a positive difference in the world.
Giving time, attention, money and support to those who are on the front lines is something we all can collectively do to “reframe” this moment to “engage for more meaning, connection and positive energy”.