“Seems that when some innocent die
All we can offer them is a page in a some magazine
Too many cameras and not enough food
‘Cos this is what we’ve seen
Driven to tears” -The Police

The photo you are looking at above is BEFORE the quake. This tragedy that has Haiti has driven me to tears. On January 12th, 2010 the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere was devastated. The quake didn’t only destroy the country and kill 150,000 or more people, but it took a country that has been in dire straits’ for a century and reduced it to rubble with no way to dig its way out. What I find is so intriguing about the people of Haiti, is that despite living in long-term material poverty, their faith has allowed them to continue to have an enormous amount of endurance, hope and dignity. The people of Haiti still need our help, and just because the Hope For Haiti telethon is over, doesn’t mean that the work is done. The people of Haiti where in bad condition, before the quake. Take a look at these facts:

The government is not able to provide the resources to educate the nation’s next generation.

The unemployment rate is over 80%.

More than half of Haitians live on less than a dollar a day.

There are few paved roads, an inadequate supply of potable water, minimal utilities, and depleted forests.

About 60% of the population lives in abject poverty.

Less than 20% of Haitians age 15 and over can read and write.

Fewer than 75% of children attend school.

40% of the Haitian population does not have access to primary health care.

The United Nations estimates 6% of Haitians are infected with HIV/AIDS. The highest rate in the Western Hemisphere. An estimated 30,000 people die of AIDS every year.

One in twenty Haitians is infected with HIV/AIDS and there are over 150,000 AIDS orphans.

Your donations can do the same for the people of Haiti. If you’re looking for a way to donate, but don’t know where to start, take a look at some of the links below.
· According to the Red Cross’ Twitter page, you can text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. You can also donate online to Red Cross’ International Response Fund. Depending on your carrier you can text two or three times. If you wish to donate more that that amount visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

· The Canadian Red Cross has a Haiti Earthquake fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111 by sending the text message “REDCROSS” to 30333 to make a one-time donation of $5, or at any Red Cross office.

· Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean’s grassroots organization is accepting donations via text. By texting “Yele” to 501501, you’ll automatically be donating $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund. Check out Yele.org for more information.

•Unicef is directly supporting the children of Haiti. There are over 300,000 orphans currently. The Organization absorbs all the administrative cost for the donation drives so 100% of your donation will go directly to the Haiti relief fund. Call 1.800.FOR.KIDS (1.800.367.5437) or visit unicef.org for more information.

•The French organization Doctors Without Borders has been doing work in Haiti for years. Donate at DoctorsWithoutBorders.org.