Ideas For Haiti

Shakira has been working in Haiti this week with Barefoot Foundation preparing to build a school in Port-au-prince. In her own country of Columbia, she has already spent thousands of her own dollars building a school and noticed a need in Haiti as well. With hurricane season on its way, I sure hope more people are finding the shelter they need. Read her thoughts on her trip here at Shakira.com

Also check out some artists work from around the world that have come together to create this collaborative art project with all proceeds going to Haiti through World Vision and A Beautiful Idea. A handful of Etsy artists were givin a select number of colors and were told to come up with their own idea of "Love Wins". Check out some of the work at Promise Tangeman - lovin the idea and really digging the image on the left above.

Angelina In Haiti

Angelina Jolie was in Haiti this past week doing her Goodwill Ambassador duties gathering information by listening and talking to the people to figure out the best ways and procedures to help the people and children. Both her and Brad donated $1 million for Haiti victims. I admire how she continues to ignore rumors and news about her family to go and bring attention to those that need it. I hope her voice continues to grow and be heard for those that don't have one. Helping and fighting for those without a voice - now thats love.

See other photos and video here

The Faces Of Innocence

Thought this was a good way to put a face to those living in campsites in Haiti, or anywhere else. I know in my head all I see are tents and tents and nothing else. When really there are these sweet little innocent faces trying to survive.

Photo via Big Picture

Haiti: 360°

Found this really neat post on CNN using this great 360 degree photography technology to document Haiti after the earthquake. Not only is the photography very interesting but it brings the viewer into the situation like you are there viewing your surroundings. Of course it's not like really being there but it's one step closer than a still shot or plain video. There are four videos and from those you can see the amount of damage, the chaos, the crowds of people and the horrible condition everything is in. You even get an insider view of a refugee camp.

On a side not - recently I have heard that the government is wanting to send all the people out into the country sides so that they can completely bulldoze the city and start from scratch. Not sure what the pros and cons of that would be but it's most likely something really needed.

Photos via CNN

Million Meals

Went out to the Numana and Salvation Army's Million Meal Packaging Event out at the Coliseum today and it was packed packed packed. I couldn't even get in! The line was out to the parking lot (in the cold)...and I was there early! There was a steady flow of cars into the arena. It was good to see so many people that are wanting to help package some much needed meals for those in Haiti. Wish we could do this for those in other countries because so many people would benefit and I know so many people would offer to help. Thank you to Inspire. Create. Bake. for letting me know about this event!

Poster via http://jonani.tumblr.com/

For Those In Haiti

When I first heard the news of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti and in Haiti's largest city, my heart dropped. I knew without reading any further that this was going to be news that brings you to tears and will be incredibly horrific. And this event as been pulling at my heart for a few days now.

For about 2 years I had done research on places to be a long term volunteer at and I had seriously thought about going and living in Haiti and working with a couple different Christian organizations like Friends of the Orphans or visit with Airline Ambassadors. And just today I read of volunteers that had died at the exact place I thought about volunteering. From my research I knew of the massive amounts of suffering going on in that country (one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere) and with an earthquake on top of it I couldn't imagine the turmoil, crime, hopelessness and lost souls that will be created. The buildings there are like they are in any poor country - made of whatever you can find and without any kind of safety standards. It has taken me a few days to even write about this because it has bothered me and I want so much to be in a position to be able to go down and be there for the people. But I can't and I have to do what I can from here. I hope and I pray that something good will come out of this and that souls will not suffer but instead find comfort in something or someone. And I hope to God that relief efforts reach many and bring peace to many.

If you still feel as though this disaster in another country really doesn't pertain to you, I dare you to read through this blog, look at the photos and watch the videos and your mind will change. Make your world a bit bigger. Latest News & Updates On Haiti (Viewer discretion is advised.)

Photo via Latest News & Updates On Haiti

Organization I found a couple years ago: Yele Haiti

Dirt Poor

Photographer Ruth Fremson from The New York Times took the above photo of a woman in Fort Dimanche, Haiti laying out biscuits to dry. The biscuits are made of butter, salt, water and dirt and are used as a dietary supplement for pregnant women and children. Basically, they eat mud cookies up to three times a day.

Lately there has been a lot of talk about food riots in Haiti and I did some research as to why this is happening. Haiti is a country that mainly imports all its food. They import close to 400,000 tons annually. So when the price of staple foods goes on the rise, many are beginning to starve. Why can't they grow their own food you may wonder? Well, much of Haiti's soil is barren from deforestation. So less than a quarter of Haiti's food is homegrown. As some soil scientists say in a National Geographic article, "As a nation's soil goes, so goes the nation."