DONATING TO HAITI

Many in the Educational Travel Community have assisted Haiti since it was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010. In a note to ETC, Betty Miles, a board member of the American Haitian Foundation, wrote of the tragedy in Haiti: “It’s a disaster of epic proportions, but I have hope that Haiti will recover and be a vibrant country again.” Miles shared her thoughts on making charitable donations for Haiti, as did ETC Executive Advisory Council Member Roberta Moore, who offered a recommendation for making sure one’s contribution goes directly to those in need at this critical time.

Betty Miles shared the following information:

I think it’s valuable to work with organizations that have people on the ground already and that know the people and country, and how best to serve their needs. The American Haitian Foundation is small, but we have Haitian board members there. We wire money directly to their check books, $16,000 so far, and have been feeding people since the day after the quake in two feeding distribution centers. We serve the rural communities, and many people are leaving Port-au-Prince for the countryside so the need will be greater. Our website is not fancy but you can see the photos and what we are all about at www.americanhaitianfoundation.org.
 
Catholic Relief Services is larger and very effective with a low percent of fundraising overhead. It has worked in Haiti serving the poor of every denomination and has people on the ground networking there among established churches. Its website is www.CRS.org.
 
We have two adopted grandchildren from Haiti, and their orphanage, God’s Littlest Angels, does excellent work and is expecting an influx of new children. They have been on the Today Show and need money to 
rebuild their facility, fund their hospital, and provide for the needs of the children.
Its website is www.glahaiti.org.

Roberta Moore shared the following letter:

Friends,

If you are like me, I want to respond the earthquake victims in Haiti but with so many instances of corporate and non-profit corruption over the past several years, want to be sure my contribution goes directly to those in need. Dartmouth's new President, Jim Yong Kim, co-founded Partners in Health with Paul Farmer to not only respond to some of our world's poorest nations but actually operates clinics in Haiti. The book that chronicles their efforts is called Mountains Beyond Mountains and is a great read in case you are interested.

In any case, I just wanted to urge you to consider giving in some way to help the people of Haiti at this critical time. If you are looking for a worthwhile organization, read President Kim's note below and consider donating to the efforts of Partners in Health.

You may also wish to read The Chronicle of Higher Education article "Dartmouth's President, a Global Health Leader, Offers Perspectives on Helping Haiti."

Peace.
Roberta Moore
Director, Alumni Continuing Education & Travel
Office of Alumni Relations at Dartmouth College

Excerpts from Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim's January 14, 2010, Letter to the Dartmouth Community:

Reports on the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince this week reveal the devastating extent of the damage and loss of life. At Dartmouth, we share the grief of Haitians and are mobilizing to assist in the relief effort.

As you may know, over 20 years ago I co-founded Partners in Health (PIH), the nonprofit medical relief organization that operates in several countries. My colleagues on the ground tell me that earthquake victims are streaming into PIH clinics in Haiti, which are located in rural areas that sustained less damage. Author Tracy Kidder wrote in The New York Times today
that, "As a result of this calamity, Partners in Health probably just became the largest health care provider still standing in all Haiti."

Many of you have asked how you can help. The urgent need is financial support. I encourage you to donate to organizations that you know will make immediate use of your dollars for earthquake relief. I especially encourage you to consider a donation to Partners In Health,
https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake. While there are a number of organizations involved in the response, I guarantee that your donation to PIH will go directly to relief efforts.

As John Sloan Dickey said, the world's troubles are our troubles and right now, Haiti's troubles are as horrific as anything I have witnessed.

Sincerely,
Jim Yong Kim