Why I won't donate to Haiti Relief...

[VickiVM]

I've been sick with the flu and home most of the week, so I've had a lot of access to the TV.

All week, I've watched CNN's coverage with Haitians stopping in front of the camera to say, "I'm [insert lovely French name] and I want to tell my mother/father/son/daughter/grandchildren [insert another lovely French name] in New Jersey that I am fine and so-&-so is fine too."

That is a huge help to those families.

Actually, my post wasn't a meant to be a dig towards you - I apologize that it sort of looked that way. There are some that seem so bothered by the news coverage that really don't have to particiapate in it if they don't want to. I viewed little of it this week simply because my work/home schedule prohibited it. I read most of the coverage on line, but that was my choice.

There ARE choices here, people. If you don't have any compelling reason to care/donate/keep up to date with this horrific situation, then don't. But millions of people are compelled. You can choose other things to watch on tv, other subjects to talk about, other hot topics to debate over.

 

[luvmy3]

Actually, my post wasn't a meant to be a dig towards you - I apologize that it sort of looked that way. There are some that seem so bothered by the news coverage that really don't have to particiapate in it if they don't want to. I viewed little of it this week simply because my work/home schedule prohibited it. I read most of the coverage on line, but that was my choice.

There ARE choices here, people. If you don't have any compelling reason to care/donate/keep up to date with this horrific situation, then don't. But millions of people are compelled. You can choose other things to watch on tv, other subjects to talk about, other hot topics to debate over.

Well of course ,and I'm pretty sure we all know that we aren't being forced to watch (did any of us say we were? ) but it doesn't change the way (some) of the media is covering Haiti. Some choose to watch, some choose to change the channel.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Although I am deeply interested in the events in Haiti, I have to admit I have not watched a lot of cable tv news lately due to busy schedule this week. It IS possible to not have the 'media circus' in your face if it it's bothersome.

The TV is rarely on in our house, so we're avoiding the media circus quite well. But seeing the fallout from the media circus here and other places is quite shocking to people like us who aren't socially engineered to be glued to our box.

My DH keeps asking me, "Where were all these 'concerned citizens' bleeding out compassion before the earthquake?" I have no answer for him and try to avoid him when he gets that way .

Seriously, I don't know where they were and, more to the point, don't really care. That's not my karma, therefore it's none of my business.

I doubt that the family in Astoria, Queens who now knows that their mother/MIL/grandmother is fine feels that way.

I'm happy for her and her family. Bet that story made GREAT publicity for CNN though, didn't it?

Anyway I think its pretty clear you weren't speaking of the tragedy itself.

Thank you, luvmy3.

 

[VickiVM]

The TV is rarely on in our house, so we're avoiding the media circus quite well. But seeing the fallout from the media circus here and other places is quite shocking to people like us who aren't socially engineered to be glued to our box.

My DH keeps asking me, "Where were all these 'concerned citizens' bleeding out compassion before the earthquake?" I have no answer for him and try to avoid him when he gets that way .

Seriously, I don't know where they were and, more to the point, don't really care. That's not my karma, therefore it's none of my business. I'm happy for her and her family. Bet that story made GREAT publicity for CNN though, didn't it? Thank you, luvmy3.

Carly, I think I've lost the point of your comments. Are you upset with the media? Are you upset with charities who are asking for help? Are you upset with people who care about this situation?

Media is not doing anything different in how they cover this or other 'hot' stories.

People will still react to events that touch their hearts

Charity organizations will still put high profile disasters at the forefront of their requests for donations.

This is not new or extraordinary. EXCEPT that Haiti is a third world country so to speak with the poorest of poor that live there and many will agree that there is no point in helping them.

Done now.

 

[Poohbear123]

I feel the same way. I can do more good with my limited resources helping my fellow neighbors and soldiers right now.

I agree the people in Haiti need help and I don't have a solution for that.

Do not Feel Bad at all! Haiti will always be needing help as they are a very poor country. Just happens to be Miami is THE PLACE for them to arrive too. I work with quite a few and you know what they told me? "Yes, its a tragedy, but there is nothing we can do, relatives are gone, and we just have to pray". There were quite a few Missionaries over there to begin with, even BEFORE the Earthquake...now some Americans may never SEE thier relatives alive again either.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My DH keeps asking me, "Where were all these 'concerned citizens' bleeding out compassion before the earthquake?" I have no answer for him and try to avoid him when he gets that way .

Like I said several posts back, different events move different hearts and minds. I doubt that any of us has the resources to give to every good cause there is. Those of us who gave to the Haitian relief efforts this week did so because we were moved by what we've seen on TV. Speaking for myself, whatever I donated is in addition to things I support on an ingoing basis. I consider myself very fortunate to have enough discretionary income to be able to do so.

No need to apologize, Vicki, I didn't take your post as a dig. I was just relating where I was coming from. I watched an inordinate amount of coverage on the tragedy because I had the opportunity to do so, being home sick.

 

[3jsmommy]

I have only read the first 3 pages and the last 3 pages of this post because it was alot of repetition and quotes.
But.
I have a few friends who came here from Haiti and they all have said that they wouldn't send any money toward the relief. they have family there and one hasn't heard from his parents yet. He said that any money that has been sent in the past gets to the big guys, not the people who need it. There is terrible need now but there has been a terrible need in the past.
He also has family that was affetcted by Katrina who still are living in a small trailer because they haven't been able to rebuild.
Why does everyone jump to help other countries but our people here are still doing without?
I am on disability and things have been really tough. I don't live paycheck to paycheck anymore, I am not making it with my SSDI and have had to take cash advances from my credit card to pay some bills. I know that I will get enough to pay them off from my income tax, but then the cycle starts again.
I own DVC but am trying to sell it so I can have a small nest egg just in case my 60 year old furnace dies. But so many peole are selling now that I was told that it probably won't sell at the price I want and I should lower it to below market to get rid of it fast. I still owe on it and would get back less than 1/2 of what I paid. I just can't do that and will rent my points if possible to get by for now. We do need to help our country more and even though it is hard, let the other countries provide for their own. People here in the US are suffering and starving too.

This is relevant why?

 

[MizTink]

I have only read the first 3 pages and the last 3 pages of this post because it was alot of repetition and quotes.
But.
I have a few friends who came here from Haiti and they all have said that they wouldn't send any money toward the relief. they have family there and one hasn't heard from his parents yet. He said that any money that has been sent in the past gets to the big guys, not the people who need it. There is terrible need now but there has been a terrible need in the past.
He also has family that was affetcted by Katrina who still are living in a small trailer because they haven't been able to rebuild.
Why does everyone jump to help other countries but our people here are still doing without?
I am on disability and things have been really tough. I don't live paycheck to paycheck anymore, I am not making it with my SSDI and have had to take cash advances from my credit card to pay some bills. I know that I will get enough to pay them off from my income tax, but then the cycle starts again.
I own DVC but am trying to sell it so I can have a small nest egg just in case my 60 year old furnace dies. But so many peole are selling now that I was told that it probably won't sell at the price I want and I should lower it to below market to get rid of it fast. I still owe on it and would get back less than 1/2 of what I paid. I just can't do that and will rent my points if possible to get by for now.
We do need to help our country more and even though it is hard, let the other countries provide for their own. People here in the US are suffering and starving too.

Now you did it. You mentioned DVC and not having enough money to pay your bills. What you said in your first and last paragraphs will be totally ignored in light of the above-mentioned DVC.

Hope you have your flame-suit on.

flame suit or not, i just don't see how anyone could begin to compare the above poster's hardship to what the people in haiti (and others too) are going through.
i'm having major financial trouble right now too. since losing my job almost 6 months ago, i am basically living on little more than public assistance and child support. yet i am still sitting in my (heated/air conditioned) apartment, watched the haitian tragedy on cable tv, and am writing this on my computer with internet access. i woke up this morning in my bed, peed in a toilet, showered in a shower, put clean clothes on, and will later drive my car to the grocery store where i can buy just about any food or drink imaginable. i hear my kids laughing/talking in the other room.
i would never say that my neighbor should help me, instead of someone else much more in need than me, just because of what country they are in.
the 2 situations just don't compare.
bottom line, in my opinion, is help if you want to help and don't help if you don't want to. it's your choice. just please don't say that you are more deserving of the money that someone else choses to donate.

 

[dicar123]

We are talking human beings. Do you really think a two year old under the rubble really practices communiism?

No, someone commented upon the general poverty in Haiti and asked why it wasn't being addressed prior to the disaster. I said that our government HAD given quite a lot of money and that money (given to THEIR government) hadn't been used to benefit the people.

God bless all the organizations who can actually get supplies and food into the hands of the people. This is actually of benefit to them, unlike US Government foreign aid contributions.

 

[mfd25wife]

My son considers his sport a big deal too but I doubt that even he would compare it to dying and suffering people. That's quite a leap IMO.

I have to agree on this one. I wasn't including sports in my suffering posts. I only mean suffering in the survival sense (food, shelter, etc.) While sports is important, no one will die from lack of it. I hope no one took my posts that way.

 

[mfd25wife]

I see nothing wrong with donating locally but I think that the question about donating prior to the disaster is puzzling. Many people are donating to help out with the disaster so Haiti being poor before seems meaningless in that case. Even though you could say that the enormity of the disaster is partially due to the country's poverty many people want to help the people get past the earthquake. Or so I'm told.

Many people donated to New Orleans charities after Katrina. Should they have also done so prior to Katrina?

Sorry for quoting your posts, but it shouldn't make a hill of beans difference. I'm happy people are donating to Haiti or locally. I will not judge anyone for either or both. As for not donating because of their government, I don't agree with that either as the ARC doesn't give it to them. That is the organization I would donate through or through a church just to have a better idea that it is going to the people. Whether they were poor before or not and the reason why makes no difference. They do need help.

See, I will even argue both sides of the issue because I think donating locally or to the Haiti relief is commendable. IMO, this is where Americans shine. For all of our faults, we do tend to run to help those in need.

 

[mfd25wife]

Maybe I'm weird but I don't see how donating to these things somehow makes it impossible for people to donate to local causes. When I donate to the massive natural disasters (and the ones I've sent money to were 9/11, Katrina, and the tsunami...I'm probably going to send some to World Vision for this) I don't take the money away from local charities. I buy myself less personal things like clothes or cofee. That money will be put to far better use in Haiti than in my closet right now. Shockingly I'm still giving to the foodbank when I do my grocery shopping. The enormity of these disasters always make me very grateful for our current situation and that I have the means to help.

No, you aren't weird. But, some people only have a certain amount they can budget for donations. It may be that they have already given up "the wants" but still have a little after their bills and debts to give a little. I won't make someone feel guilty because they don't have the ability to take from one budget fund and put it in another. Some really do live check to check. I'm impressed they find the money to donate at all.

 

[mfd25wife]

I think my dog quote is being taken out of context. The tone of some people in this thread is disturbing to me and shows a side of humans that is not very nice in my opinion.

Thx! I was beginning to think I missed the point

 

[mfd25wife]

CNN uses their resources to help only one entity: CNN.

And I apologize if my one word choice to describe the media circus has offended anyone. In light of the tens of thousands who have died (and will die) in this disaster due to the corruption in the Haitian government, you'd think people would be more offended by that instead of the one word spoken by an anonymous poster on a Disney bulletin board.

I don't think I've been here longer than you and I know better than that With this many people on one site, someone is always going to take it wrong and then it snowballs. Sometimes, the poster means something ugly, but I didn't take yours that hooplah was making light of the situation. I'm sorry that some did. That happens when people think they know what someone else meant. Heck, I just don't pick the right words sometimes.

 

[mfd25wife]

I have only read the first 3 pages and the last 3 pages of this post because it was alot of repetition and quotes.
But.
I have a few friends who came here from Haiti and they all have said that they wouldn't send any money toward the relief. they have family there and one hasn't heard from his parents yet. He said that any money that has been sent in the past gets to the big guys, not the people who need it. There is terrible need now but there has been a terrible need in the past.
He also has family that was affetcted by Katrina who still are living in a small trailer because they haven't been able to rebuild.
Why does everyone jump to help other countries but our people here are still doing without?
I am on disability and things have been really tough. I don't live paycheck to paycheck anymore, I am not making it with my SSDI and have had to take cash advances from my credit card to pay some bills. I know that I will get enough to pay them off from my income tax, but then the cycle starts again.
I own DVC but am trying to sell it so I can have a small nest egg just in case my 60 year old furnace dies. But so many peole are selling now that I was told that it probably won't sell at the price I want and I should lower it to below market to get rid of it fast. I still owe on it and would get back less than 1/2 of what I paid. I just can't do that and will rent my points if possible to get by for now.
We do need to help our country more and even though it is hard, let the other countries provide for their own. People here in the US are suffering and starving too.

I hope you can sell it soon and not lose money on it. I know you probably bought it when things were better in your life so I'm not flaming. As an FYI, I may be wrong but I think if you really tried to sell it at much of a loss Disney would step in because of they have the right to buy it to keep the values up.

 

[kinntj]

I tend to give money to both. When there's a large scale natural disaster I give what I can while still giving locally. If I have to give up pop and pizza for one week to send money, then it's worth it.

 

[zalansky]

Sorry I have not read through all the posts but did read all of page one. I agree with the OP. I don't trust anymore that my $25 goes to the people who really need it when donating through the big charities. I gave for 9/11 and then the scandal broke about the surviviors not receiving a dime. That was enough for me. I say let the big corporations and the celebrities who get $10 million a movie donate their big bucks. They have the money to make a difference.

 

[kimmar067]

Nice catch. This makes this tragedy sound like celebrity gossip or something.

* sigh *

 

[lastminutemom]

Lots of NGOs (non governmental agencies) have been on the ground for decades helping with humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Doctors without Borders, CARE, many missions, etc have been there and have people on the ground now and they are working as we speak.

Haiti is a mess, there is no doubt, especially when you consider that the Dominican Republic is the same island and the average annual income is 8x larger than Haiti. Because the quake happened during the business day -- there is the very real possibility that by next week, there will the realization that there are very few bureaucrats left. Their buildings were among those that collapsed.

Here is a great article from someone involved with Partners in Health, another organization I trust implicitly with my money.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1429930.html

As for the situation domestically, absolutely we have many families in dire need. In the US, we have pockets of extreme poverty, but they are pockets not an entire country. And in the US, people can pull themselves out of poverty when the economy is good. In Haiti, and places like it, that is so much harder to do.

 

[handinpocket]

And in the US, people can pull themselves out of poverty when the economy is good. In Haiti, and places like it, that is so much harder to do.

All third world countries face this. There isn't much we can do to change that, unless you want to send our troops in and change their whole country....that worked well in Iraq, not.