MONKEY:STEEZ: backyard obsessions...giving to Haiti

i guess working for non profit organizations for a majority of my twenties has skewed my view just a wee little bit... i've seen first hand how even the most reputable organizations can "mismanage" funds...a charitable nazi would be an understatement, but when organizing or giving funds to a cause or organization i like to know EXACTLY how the funds are distributed and how quickly they reach the people they're supposed to be helping. we're aware that even (sometimes) the hierarchy of the organization's staff (and salary) is comparable to any other for profit or corporation. i'm not knockin' anyone's efforts of giving, but with so many different people in need it's easy for organizations to take advantage of people's generosity.

part of these reflections have come forth since we've been helping my good friend Caleb and his group's relief efforts in Haiti. it's funny how we're fundraising and people will say "oh, i already gave to _________ and it goes to the same cause." my instinct reaction is "hmmmmm, not exactly." some of the organizations don't have a hard angle/strategy on how to get aid because they a) aren't familiar with the community they're serving, b) their leaders who are familiar have died, c) they are having a hard time maneuvering on land-- whereas Caleb and his group know Haiti inside out especially since this project (of installing a solar plant for Haiti's government) has brought them to Haiti on a monthly/bi monthly basis for the past year and a half. even before the earthquake, Haiti could be a difficult place to do business unless you're familiar with specific customs, people and nuances. in other words, for earthquake relief efforts, you may give $20 on Monday to let's say, Red Cross. but that $20 may not be implemented for another 3-5 days (sometimes longer.)

meanwhile, while a big organization is trying to strategize on how to get aid distributed most efficiently, there are still folks trapped under debris who are texting their loved ones to send help, and these loved ones are posting comments on Caleb's FB of where their loved ones are. i.e. A friend of Caleb posted this on his FB "Please if you have contact with rescue teams let them know that help is needed for Valou Gehy Keda Innocent Floreal & her son Clarens Innocent Flor... See Moreéal, Impasse Pierre Louis, Bourdon near the water reservoir, they are under the rubble, they are alive and need to be rescued..A text message was just received from Keda. Please send help.. Also at the Unibank Building in Bourdon people are still alive trapped under the rubble. Numerous text msgs have been received since yesterday.. They need help PLEASE."

i guess this is somewhat of a plea to let folks know that their efforts towards Caleb's
Haiti Earthquake Relief Mission are used IMMEDIATELY. we have people on the ground in Haiti who are familiar with the language, the land, the people, the community organizations and who are giving aid directly... apologies in advance for the semi pompous tone in the intro of this entry. but really, we are infinitely appreciative to those who continuously send Caleb and our group prayers, meditations, donations and thank you to those who are helping us spread the word.

we are obsessed with gratitude.
thank you thank you. thank you.

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and
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