Share - Haiti needs our help

Jan Sochor Images

Port Au Prince! First introduced to me through none other than Wyclef Jean's "The Carnival" in the late 1990's. I took French in high school, so when Wyclef started singing the beautiful Creole language with it's French mix I was in heaven.

A few years later my wife and I went to a big music festival ( before we were married and had 3 kids :). There was a booth that had a table full of beautiful children's pictures all over the table. I started to talk to the guy standing behind the booth and he was telling me that for 30-40 dollars a month I could help any one of these children have access to food, water, medical attention and an education. I have to say, I couldn't turn that deal down. At the time I was living with my grandmother with virtually no expenses and working as a contractor for the government. Here in front of me, these children could have more access to their needs for just about the same amount of money that I had just spent on the T-shirt and other crap they were peddling at the concert.

I looked around and found a packet that stuck out to me. Nicolas Morento. Port Au Prince, Haiti born on September 1st. That day was significant to me because it was my brother's birthday and that made it special. We have been working with Compassion International for over 6 years now. So when I was at the gym the day the earthquake happened and looked up at the news on the overhead television, it floored me.

Almost a month later I still don't know what has happened to Nicholas. I want to know more than anything. I also want to know what else I can do to help. If you're like me, you're trying to figure out how to make a difference but the task seems way too broad and daunting and it paralyzes you.

Who do I give to? What are the needs? Who is going to put money to the best use? As Americans, we have the ability to give even a small amount and make a difference in a place like Haiti. Here are some ways that I know of to get involved.

1.) Go to your local church and ask what are they doing to help. It's always better to serve together as a community. It brings people together and is very life giving!

2.) World Vision and Compassion International - World Vision and Compassion International have been working in Haiti for a long time. They know the culture, they've lived there for years and have a proven relationship in the community. Check these guys out for ways to continually give as well as one time donations to help with resources in Haiti now.

4.) One.org - One.org is the organization that you see Bono and Matt Damon and many other compassionate music and movie stars working with to help end extreme poverty in this world. Not a small task if you ask me, but it's not stopping them. Right now you can go and vote to help end Haiti's debt. http://www.one.org/us/actnow/drophaitiandebt/. Now is the time to help rebuild and our voice is all they ask for.

5.) Reject Apathy - This is an offshoot of the popular magazine "Relevant" which I've been reading for years. They've been trying to find a way we as 20-30 somethings can help and the first way to help is to "Reject Apathy." It's a great resource for ways to get informed and involved in regards to unjust war, creation care, preventable disease, extreme poverty, and the prevention of sex trafficking. It's a great resource and I highly enjoy their magazine as well.

6.) Doma International - Doma works in the lives of vulnerable children through crisis prevention and early intervention locally and abroad. They've done work in Uganda, Ukraine, Russia. Do you enjoy running? They are running in the Capital City Half Marathon and Fun Run in Columbus OH this year and raising money for vulnerable children in Haiti as well. My wife is going to be running this year at the 5k fun run and I am going to stay back and watch the children. (I ran the last half marathon and she watched the kids :) Go Tiffani!!!

7.) Last but definitely not least, Pray. Simple prayers can do more than you think. God hears the cries of the innocent and he desires our compassion for others!

So please, don't sit back and think there's nothing you can do. You can give money and time. Just because we're not on the ground floor in Port Au Prince doesn't mean there's nothing we can do.

There are trusted organizations who have been working and are working with the Haitian people and will continue to be there for them.

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