What can truly help now - and what perhaps isn't....

How do some "aid agency" people ~ sleep at night?

If one is so inclined, there's no shortage of "from the trenches" stories emerging on the internet from within Haiti of how the aid situation is deteriorating due to lack of co-ordinated and timely support, supplies and assistance getting where they need to. Some of the reasons for that are somewhat understandable? Others simply make me angry.

I'm not back-tracking on my earlier commentary that the Haitian people themselves ultimately need to step up and demand that their gov't do what it should be doing under these horrendeous circumstances and demand long-term solutions that are in their own interest. The Haitian community leaders are right in wanting them to empower themselves that way for their own ultimate well being.

But as the rains come it's becoming more painfully apparent that comprehensive, safe solutions need to come en masse now - and quickly - in a way that only the gov't and world aid institutions can provide under the circumstances. The situation deteriorates daily and it is only going to get worse.

But the more I educate myself through reading and research about conditions before - and after - in Haiti, the more I realize what an unfair hand the country and its people have been dealt for a long, long time now. Being there gives a person an entirely different view of both the country and the people. And it's allowing me to read articles, opinion pieces, so-called "this is how it is" statements with a wary and skeptical eye that is looking for what I personally now believe to be more truth ... than spin.

I spoke yesterday at length with the founder of "Aviation for Humanity" - Rymann Winter.

Let me state categorically that AFH is an organization that was started for the right reasons, is being run for the right reasons and has had immediate and positive impact on helping Haiti and its people since the earthquake ... and continues to do so. Please support them.

Aviation by its nature has that ability - delivering immediate aid to specific places. As Rymann said, how satisfying to fly a doctor or medical crews into an area knowing they will immediately begin to supply care and relief.

Because it's so important - especially now that Haiti is disappearing from the media radar in spite of conditions only continuing to deteriorate - I again want to emphasize the value in donations to Aviation for Humanity, Medishare, Partners In Health for insuring the type of help truly needed is indeed provided.

Also, please support the wonderful Art Creation Foundation for Children in Jacmel. Judy Hoffman and all associated with this school are models of how to effectively help the children - and thereby the future - of Haiti.

I just received this update from her - an appropriate and important ending for this post.

Thank you for reading, and caring...........

Update - Art Creation Foundation For Children - Jacmel Haiti



Good morning all. I want to give you a sense of what it is like for our children at ACFFC these days. They are strong and they see the future - because they have become a family, because they are not hungry in the night, because if sick, they have assistance, and most important, because they have found their voices and spirits. Their hearts are open and they, as a group are incredibly compassionate. Their creativity and your support have helped them to move mountains.


The situation in Haiti, despite the fact that it is now off the front pages of the newspapers, is dire. We are now at the beginning of rainy season and while our children and most of their family members have tents (thanks to Jen and Guy Pantaleon, Zanmi Lakay), there are many people out there under nothing more than a lean-to covered with a bedsheet and woven banana leaves.


Our children have, what is defined as 'food security' - in other words, they do not miss a meal because of lack of resources and gratefully, the same is so for their families (thanks to G.O. Ministries) but most people stand out in lines for hours for a plate of food.


As I have told you before, almost all of our children have family in Jacmel and they care and worry about them, so the fact that we have been able to extend help to their families has also been a good thing.


When basics are provided, and a program such as ACFFC is in place, 'our' kids (children/teens) have found the joy of creativity - it is as if second nature. They have become excellent papier mache artists. We have several teens who are extraordinary painters, and all they ask is quality canvas, good paints and fine brushes! We have a team who have been drawn to photography (thanks to Jen and Guy) and have had their images on the NY Times website - because of this, we have been contacted by the Globe and Mail of Canada, to provide several ACFFC youth (called photojournalists in the NY Times) an ongoing assignment. There is a group from Canada coming in to work on a set design with our children which may also become a book (they have worked in Niger, Suriname, elsewhere with the connection being Doctors without Borders). Laurel True (mosaic artist) and Nancy Josephson of our Board (also artist/musician) will be working with the group to build a memorial wall in Jacmel to represent a reflection on the earthquake and how it has impacted lives. Because of intent and serendipity, we had a visit from Georges Valris (sequin flag artist) and there is a project in the making. And while I was there, the children gathered rubble, wrote and painted about it and it, too, may become an exhibition. Our children are being heard.


My worry is that, as Haiti becomes less prominent in the news, and as the donation dollars and aid are totaled (note, the majority is NOT reaching the people), you may think that the need at ACFFC is any less great than it was pre earthquake and than it is now.


While everything has changed, nothing has changed! And in the process, we have 16 more children in the program than we did before. Add to that a waiting list coming just from our families who have additional children of their own or in their care.


No matter that we have been featured on the UNICEF website. No matter that our program works. No matter that we are 100% accountable and have proven outcomes. We simply do not get the support of the mega-agencies that are more focused on planning and initiatives and politics than doing and being.


My dream is that you never forget ACFFC, and that you remain a part of our family now and forever! I believe in these children, in my dreams, and in you. Our children believe in you. Please walk with us!