I’m a little late on this, but if you’ve been wondering
how and where to donate to Haiti relief work, have meant to give but haven’t
yet done so, have given already but can give more ($10?), you can’t do better than give to Partners in Health. Founded by
Paul Farmer with the conviction that health care is a human right, PIH has been
working in Haiti for nearly 25 years, building a grassroots organization
that has become a model for health care for the poor in the developing world. PIH knows the people and the culture and how to get things
done. It’s in Haiti for the long term as well as the immediate
crisis. It will be there long after
the media spotlight has moved on. That’s particularly important because,
unlike the 2004 tsunami in Asia, the earthquake has left tens of thousands of
survivors with terrible injuries that will require long-term help.
I’ve set up a donation page that
makes giving incredibly easy. All amounts are welcome. My goal is to raise
$1000, but if by some miracle you visit my page and that goal has been met,
don’t worry. You can still donate! No amount is too small.
Just click on this link.
It only takes a minute to set up your own personal fundraising page, by the way. Just go to my page and click on “Create your own page now!” in small print under the box with the thermometer. Set your own fundraising goal, post to your facebook page, e mail your friends.
Bonus: I was blown away by Mary J. Blige’s rendition of Stephen C. Foster’s 1854 heartbreaker, “Hard Times Come
Again No More” at the Hope for
Haiti Now telethon in New York.
I admit
that to my mind Mavis Staples’ quiet intensity is even more moving: