My friend Jacques lives here but his brother lives in Haiti where he runs an orphanage and we have waited over the past week while the string of news has trickled in.
The children are safe.
Jacques' brother and his family are safe.
They got a few day's supply of food.
And finally, Tuesday, they are all moving into a more secure location in the countryside.
Jacques is unable to take money to his brother right now. So he, like the rest of us, waits and prays that the large aid organizations and military get what they have to the people who need it.
My eight year old asks "if our army knows now to take care of people in emergencies why don't they just do that all the time instead of going to war?" So I ask, "Samuel, will you please be president someday?"
Support for the orphanage has been done pretty much by word of mouth up until this point and there isn't a web location where I could point you you could donate. If you haven't done so and would like to help I can, however, recommend World Vision - they have an excellent financial responsibility record and already had people in the country when the earthquake occurred.
Because this is a French community (that I live in) many Haitians choose to live here when they move to Canada ( also Montreal...). My daughter's high school has many students whose relatives still live on the island. The students have been busy fundraising since the earthquake while waiting for news. I pray for no more aftershocks...
ReplyDeleteit moves me to hear your bit of good news... and your son has the right kind of heart... tell him he has another vote from me! thank you for sharing the info on the organization - that is helpful to know...
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteIs it one of the orphanages mentioned here?
http://omusa.org/haiti-earthquake-relief
Jean
See, I always suspected that a group of 8-year-olds would make a better job of running the world than most adults and your son just proved it :). You can tell him I was thinking the same thing. If all governments were limited to using their military forces to defending their own shores and going on humanitarian missions instead of sticking their nose in other people's business the world would be a much better place.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friend gets more good news soon ;)
To answer Jean's question...
ReplyDeleteNo, the orphanage it is not affliated with OM. They are small, basically privately run. My friend's brother started a safe house, an orphanage and even built a school. Family, friends and church members here in the US send money and supplies. Unfortunately something like an earthquake is sometimes what it takes to get peoples attention and now a local company is going to hold a fundraiser.
Samuel has my vote when the time comes!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. You are raising the future that should give us all hope!
ReplyDeleteXO
Prayers for your friends and everyone in Haiti.