Haiti

On Wednesday I was searching for information on how to donate to Haiti and I stumbled upon the blog of Wyclef Jean, a Haitian rapper and musician. The blog (http://wyclefjean.wordpress.com/) was exclusively focused (for the past few days) on what specific steps Americans can take to assist Haiti, as well as a personal plea from the famous musician Quincy Jones. I'm really impressed by the website's focus on providing relief rather than emphasizing the tragedy in a way that tries to appeal to American's fascination with disaster. While Wyclef's organization, Yele, obviously acknowledges the awful events, it has mobilized in a way that few others seem to have. Wyclef Jean is using his fame and power in a way that goes beyond just donating some money and going back to a life of luxury. He has provided lists of items Haitians need, as well as places for these items to be dropped off. I've been surprised by the lack of information available on how people can work to help Haitians. Even the Red cross' website (www.redcross.org) has focused not on how people can help but on what they (the red cross) have been doing. Articles such as "Red Cross Continuing to Push Aid to Haiti Amid Difficult Conditions" and "CBS News Helps Red Cross Transport Blood into Haiti," read as them wanting praise for the efforts being made. Evidently, red cross is an amazing organization, but why have they not made information on providing donations readily available? There is a "Donate Now" button in the corner, but in the middle of the page are advertisements about "winter preparedness tips" and getting the flu shot. I know there's only so much one organization can do, but why don't they too have visible lists of materials needed in Haiti? Why haven't they provided multiple outlets for donations or relief? Why are they focusing on the flu shot when people are dying every single minute? The bandaids and blankets I send aren't going to go very far, but if every person at Andover or everyone in Massachusetts even sent a box of band-aids and some blankets, it could achieve something. I feel bad for only thinking about Haiti about 5% of the day. My thoughts have been consumed by school and college and senior hour. I've definitely relied on the Red Cross and other organizations to deal with this crisis while I go on with my life. I'm ready to focus more on what I can do so far removed from the crisis, but I searched for 30 minutes before finding a site that advertised more than texting money in or paying with a credit card. If other media sources such as the Boston Globe made giving donations to Haiti Relief take over the whole "above the fold" section of their website maybe more people would donate. If they wrote articles on exactly what is needed in Haiti and organized specific places for these things to be collected maybe people would donate. These organizations have immense power but it seems like they aren't really doing all that they can. It's great that CBS news is bringing blood to Haiti, but maybe they should stop advertising that and start making donating more available. Their website has flashy ads advertising computers, but maybe flashy ads advertising helping Haiti would make more people notice. I read an article on CBS news about how it's going to be hard to make sure the aid money doesn't get lost in the corrupt government. While the article merits thought, since there have been questionable disappearances in Haiti of aid money in the past, the article appeals to those of us who want a scandal. The article's subtitle is "Corruption, Theft, Violence Will Add to Challenges of Making Sure Aid is Properly Spent." I don't understand how violence will lead to the disappearance of aid money. The money is not going to be carried around in suitcases on the streets, the holder mugged and robbed. The government of Haiti probably wouldn't openly assault someone donating aid money in order to get their hands on it. This article is an appeal to the drama queens and Law and Order addicts of America, and as a small concession they've included a tiny link named "How to Help Victims." After the link they discuss how aid money has disappeared in the past in Haiti and render giving aid something to be seriously questioned. I'm glad people like Wyclef Jean are using their power to encourage donations as I feel as if our country, myself included, isn't doing enough to help. Ms. Sykes' email about giving aid to Haiti is wonderful, and I wish CBS and the Boston Globe would mobilize and act in similar ways.