Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Haiti

I'm having a rough day. I have been trying to find ways to focus more on the positive but today is just not helping. Case in point:

Haiti. Those poor people! Already living in poverty with political unrest and horrible situations, now an earthquake comes along and flattens them. The outpouring of humanitarian aid is nice. But you know what bothers me? The fact that the people of Haiti may end up better off after this recovery process than they were before the earthquake. Countries around the world are sending medical help, food, clothing, shelter, aid for rebuilding their homes and their infrastructure. And it took the deaths of who knows how many poeple, the destruction of businesses, homes and a way of life to get the rest of the world to really care. Yes, I know that there have been peacekeeping missions and Doctors Without Borders and other charities trying to help them for years. But. But.

How many Americans really paid any attention to the situations these people lived in prior to this? I will be honest and say that I really didn't. And we are just one country. How many people the world over have been more concerned with buying a better iPod than with feeding other people, making sure they have potable water, helping to provide health care for people with NO OPTIONS and keeping children from starving to death?

I have in the past said that I am more concerned with American children who are poor. That I am more worried about healthcare in America. That I don't have any way to help others until I am in a better situation.

Wow.

How incredibly asinine and isolationist of me.

I have no idea how to help. I have no idea what to do. And I realize that my feeling guilty and horrible for past thoughts and behaviors does nothing good for anyone. I have no money to send.

But at least I can send my thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I feel the exact same way. But I still wish that all AMERCANS had some place to live and food to eat. During Christmas, they showed all these homeless people in Nashville. One hit home. A boy that was 21, had been homeless for two years, and only got to sleep indoors if it was really cold out and the churches opened up. It killed me because that is the age of my youngest son. I wonder what happened to his family? To him? Why is there no help? There was a couple with two kids that had no wear to sleep except their car. It's kills my heart and soul.

And these people in Haiti. My God. I can't even begin to imagine what they are going through. It's just down right horrible.

Mother Moon said...

I agree with Bina. It is not just the obvious other countries that have devastation and despair. The same thing exists in our own country. Haiti however has been hit hard over the last year. Hurricanes seemed to love the island this year. Each time they would start to recover from the last and the water would start to subside another would hit. Now the earthquake. It is almost unimaginable to think of the death toll reaching 100,000, The thing is it will climb higher because as time will pass and due to the low standards of facilities and aid many will pass after many have forgotten of the need.

Turning the Clock Back said...

My thoughts and prayers will join yours.

Diane
http://turning-the-clock-back.blogspot.com/

(following from MBC)

Nana The Nana said...

Someone on TV was saying that some of the people from Haiti in NY asked for the U.S. to get busy and send help. The person reporting said " there are something like several million people from there living here. If they all sent 10 dollars that would help a lot!" Someone else said the US could buy the country, repair it all then sell it back and make some money on the deal. Who knows what should be done. I just know one of my sons has been helping the homeless in his neighborhood and there are a lot around. There but for the grace of God go I. Isn't that how it goes? I also have no money to send, only hope, prayers and best wishes.

Rue said...

Sending healing thoughts and prayers does help - even though it's not money. A global consciousness is what we need, and sending love and healing out into the world helps.

Bridgett said...

I understand and empathize with what you're saying.

And I feel so helpless. I don't have a dime to spare anymore...but I can offer my positive energies to them and many prayers.

Just doesn't seem like enough, does it?

)O(
boo