Helping Haiti

January 14, 2010 by
Filed under: Blog Entries, Community, Family, Relationships, Society & Culture, Technology, Think Global 

It’s amazing how a disaster can bring people together and due to major  advancements in technology, it’s easier than every to lend a hand. I’ve received information via email, text and Facebook about Wyclef Jean’s efforts to help those in Haiti. It’s pretty easy to donate and you know the funds are going to be used wisely. To donate via your cell phone text “Yele” to 501501 and $5.00 will be charged to your cell phone bill. To donate online, click here.

The Red Cross also has a text message option and so far has raised over $4 million in mobile donations. To donate to the Red Cross via your mobile phone, text the word “Haiti” to the number 90999. A donation of $10.oo will be charged to your mobile phone bill.

Local Dallas radio host Tom Joyner said in this morning’s show that he and his team have plans to fly to Port-au-Prince to set up an internet cafe for Haitian citizens to contact family in America. In a post at blackamericaweb.com, they list some other things we can do to help out.

I shouldn’t be surprised at the global response to help a country in need, but I would like to end this post with a message from the Villager titled “Haiti Earthquake: Will America Care Next Week?”. Haiti has always been a country in need and I hope America will not forget them or others who need a helping hand.

 

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Comments

3 Comments on Helping Haiti

  1. theo.johnson on Thu, 14th Jan 2010 4:20 pm

    2. I received an email from the Prez today about Haiti. Yeah, we’re cool like that ;)

    http://my.barackobama.com/Haiti

  2. montana on Fri, 15th Jan 2010 1:00 am

    3. You got that right just look at 9/11 for your answer. Everyone and their mother had flags hanging anywhere they could hang one. Then as Americans do they move to the next thing happening.This weeks its Haiti ,next week they move on. An Earthquake is an Earthquake why is Haiti so special? Much more attention and money is being given to Haiti then was given to Turkey. Is it because it is a Black Population and we saw what happened when we didn’t get help to them right away in Katrina? They turn on one another , Rape, Kill and Loot. Wait till the big one hits here

  3. theo.johnson on Fri, 15th Jan 2010 11:38 am

    4. Montana,

    Thanks for your comment. I can’t speak for everyone, but I feel the media coverage is right about where it should be. Right now it’s a hot topic and soon they will move on. Where it is getting more attention is from black people throughout the nation. We are paying attention and we know how long it can take the government to get moving, so more people are willing to donate to make sure they get the help they need.

    Why is it getting more coverage than the earthquake in Turkey? I can’t say, but I think part of it is due to the fact that this is a country in poverty. Turkey’s economy is A LOT better off than Haiti’s (see links below) and I’m sure their infrastructure is a lot better also. Turkey may not have needed as much help as Haiti.

    http://www.google.com/publicdata?ds=wb-wdi&met=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&idim=country:TUR&q=turkey+gdp#met=ny_gdp_mktp_cd&idim=country:TUR:HTI

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052748704675104575001350479248086.html

    One final thing about Katrina. I hope you see more than the raping, killing and looting that went on during the floods. I’ve talked to people who were there and I’m sure there were more stories of heroism and kindness that were not shown in the media. Those who were out there raping and killing would have done so regardless of the situation. They just took advantage of a horrible situation and that seems to be the thing that sticks out is people’s mind. Unless I’m there, I’m always wary of what I see on the news. You never know if you are getting the full story.

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