Monday, January 18, 2010

Artists for Peace and Justice: On the Ground Help in Haiti


I haven't been blogging for some time. Mostly because I feel that I don't have much to say these days. Some despondency has been creeping into my pysche since the end of 2009, a defiantly difficult year, not just for me but for a lot of people I know and love. But my own personal angst as a small business owner about unpaid invoices and the precariousness of sole proprietorship gets sharply snapped into focus when one sees real suffering, deprivation and death - and on such a large scale.

Haiti should be in everyone's thoughts now. And it does seem that the world is responding generously and compassionately. It is quite remarkable really. Give, give, give cash is the rallying cry now. Charitable organizations large and small are seeking funds to get aid out to desperate Haitians - food, water, medicine. They need the basics.

They need everything.

I gave it some thought before I rushed to the phones or the Internet. I wanted to find an organization that could put the funds to good use immediately and would be so "hands on" that I could donate with peace of mind, knowing that even my meagre contribution would translate into something tangible for a Haitian in need. As soon as possible. Right away. Maybe hydrate a child, or prevent a baby from dying needlessly.

Well, I found that organization and I want to spread the word.

I am so proud to call Paul Haggis a fellow Londoner. (I was born in London, Ontario, Canada.) Last year he started an organization called Artists for Peace and Justice. Please follow the link and watch the video. And donate. This money will go directly into the hands of Father Frechette so that he can provide emergency aid to the children of Haiti. While all people in Haiti right now need help, regardless of their age, it is the children who are so vulnerable, so fragile. So many are orphans - were orphans even before the quake struck.

Just visit the website and see for yourself, because quite frankly I don't feel very eloquent these days. Let the images speak for themselves. The video is not easy to watch. But watch it you should.