There is not a person in the world who hasn’t heard about the tragedy that hit Haiti January 12th 2010 (The earthquake for those of you under a rock).Whenever something like this happens, people respond; everyone ( Banks, Retailers, Offices, Individuals) were all setting up collections in order to help Haiti. I myself, wanted to help anyway I could, and as usual that means money (it’s the American way).
I’m a student, on a student budget but I knew I wanted to give something. I soon received one of the many text msgs. instructing me on how to donate money ($5) to the Salvation Army. Right after I got the confirmation txt, I received another text warning me to be careful of a scam collection circulating.
(My first reaction was duh, Rogers will probably charge me $5 just for sending the text). But I really began to question where my money was, and how it would be used.
Helping others in need by collecting money in itself is a beautiful thing; but who, and how, are they going to keep track of it all? I mean, it’s impossible (for me) to keep track of all my spending. How does a small country like Haiti, who is already unstable (physically and politically), do it? Especially with the 100’s of millions of dollars going into it?
With all that money and so many hands in the pile, it seems a little too easy for someone to skim a little off the top of the money pile.
I mean, think about it, millions of people are collecting donations in the name of Haiti. But again where and to whom is it really going to? If its going towards food, how are the people going to get it? Roads are destroyed. Would they drop it from the sky? Will everyone get enough? Most importantly, who is in charge. Who is responsible for what, and how much exactly do they need?
I heard (in the US) that one organization raised $9 million just over text donations. $9 million USD, which is 40x the amount in the Haiti gourde (Haiti dollars). And this was just the beginning.
I understand that this is a country that literally need to be rebuilt. But I don’t believe in just giving money than saying goodbye.
From what I heard Haiti is still a poor, politically unstable economy. To pump hundreds of millions dollars into a country who has proven themselves unable to sustain their themselves, seems a little stupid.
So who should be in charge of operation Haiti. The US would seem like a likely choice but given their track record of handling money (recession – yes I am pointing fingers) I don’t think they have the time to be building another country when the obviously should be focusing on their own. Canada, same thing!
I guess the plan it to get things started, do the best we can, then allow them to continue. But when we do succeed in rebuilding Haiti, we cannot prevent another earthquake from coming. What happens then?
I know I’m asking a lot of question, but I want to know (I think that I’m allowed that much); Am I wrong for wanting to know?
These are my 21 questions about Haiti (I know it's less).Either way I have a feeling that none of these organizations would be able to answer them anyway.
Just another thought,
Unltd love,
SM
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