Haiti

Haiti: the world banding together... what an incredible reminder of the importance of thinking globally in our everyday lives.

There have been so many phenomenal gestures of love, humanity, and care signifying unity of all humankind. We are all connected and sometimes it unnecessarily takes a devastating tragedy to remind us of our connection with each other, no matter our race, continent of origin, beliefs, or cultures.
Examples of heroism in this tragedy (in North America):

• Canadian government matching all donations to a maximum of 50 million dollars to go toward Haiti relief efforts
• Fundraisers in schools and other various institutions across the country
• Hope for Haiti (American- raised over 66 million and Canadian- raised over 58 million)
• Red Cross relief efforts (78 million raised- 70% going to food and water (enough water to provide 300,000 people with water everyday)- 100 relief specialists on site working with over 600 international Red Cross volunteers and 2500 Haitian volunteers)
• Volunteers from across North America helping collect materials and/or traveling to Haiti to help
• Text Haiti relief (32 million raised)
• Radio telethons
• Musical artists creating and dedicating songs for the people of Haiti and donating the profits of all sales to Haiti relief
• Families from all economic statuses making generous donations
• Speeding up adoptions of Haitian children across the world
• Many more volunteering, monetary, and material donations
• Prayers and positive energy filled with well-wishes and messages of strength from across the globe

There have been so many beautiful acts of kindness to help those suffering from this devastating earthquake, and because of advanced technology and global communications, people all over the world have seen the devastating effects of this natural disaster. This has most likely aided in relief efforts, because we have seen with our very own eyes the suffering that these people are experiencing and it is more difficult to "move on with our lives" and forget about it.
Now that the media has moved on to other things such as the Olympics, and other news in our communities, it will be easier to forget... it will take billions of more dollars, volunteer hours, and aid materials to even partially recover from this disaster whether the media is covering it or not. It is our choice to remember the unity that we have among all humankind. We are collectively responsible for our species’ success or failure and it is time that we take responsibility.

Let’s begin not only to focus on help in Haiti, but all beings that are suffering.

Let’s remember! All-days, all-ways!

Lots of Love,

Chanel and Heather