If We Don’t Give, Who Will?

I’m so proud to see the world respond to Haiti with generosity and compassion. We really need to rally as many people as possible to extend aid to those in need, to “the least of these.” Especially us in the Western world; we must leverage our position away from selfishness and towards compassion. Compassion is active. Not just a passive pity.

Watching the news and photos and videos is so heartwrenching.  Photos of dumptrucks unloading piles and piles of dead bodies into mass graves, holes essentially.  Unbelievable.  Check out these 38 COMPELLING PHOTOS.  Please.

With tonight’s “Canada for Haiti” and “Hope for Haiti Now,” i’m reminded again that despite the fact that “I don’t materially and financially have a lot”– that is merely a relative statement. Relative to a very small percentage of the world’s population. I, in fact, am in an incredibly privileged position. And i will be held accountable for that at the end of it all.

I’m reminded again, that even if i’ve given, I can give again. And i hope others would do the same. IF WE DON’T GIVE, WHO WILL? There’s no passing the buck to the next person on this one.

There are so many awesome organizations out there, on the ground right now, whom you can give to.  If you don’t know where to start I will highlight 2 orgs that i’m directing my own giving.  The first is my own employer, Power to Change.  The humanitarian aid division of Power to Change, called Global Aid Network, are in Haiti meeting the immediate needs of those hurting. Check them out out at www.globalaid.net to give. Check out the Global Aid Network (GAiN) Facebook Fan Page to see pictures and videos of what the teams are doing on the ground to help.  Working for a non-profit organization has made me so grateful and proud to know people who are personally involved.

My second suggestion is an initiative called, Churches Helping Churches.   What are they about?

Our help complements the initial waves of humanitarian aid that pour into a country in the wake of a disaster. Many countries have relied on networks of local churches to be a primary conduit for the flow of health care, humanitarian aid, and even education. Rebuilding churches is a means of restoring infrastructure in a country through which aid can flow into local communities which so desperately need it.

As a Christian, I want to especially come alongside the churches in Haiti to bring restoration and healing.  But regardless of your beliefs, we can all find an organization to partner with.  Find the one you want to particularly support.  We can all help.  And we all should.  Pray and Give.

Help Haiti!

If we’re able to spend even a few bucks on ourselves, whether it’s a latte on the go at Starbucks, going out to a movie, buying ice cream at the grocery store, etc, then we’re able to give a few bucks (probably and hopefully more) to those in need.  A major earthquake has recently rocked the island nation of Haiti, killing multitudes. Comprehensive news and updates at CNN and every other news outlet.

My friend found a consolidated list of a dozen charities helping Haiti relief efforts I’m posting here. If you are in Canada, you can redirect to the Canadian division of international organizations (e.g. Compassion Canada, World Vision Canada, etc)

11 Charities Collecting Donations for Haiti (taken from DesiringGod.org)

1. Compassion International
2. Feed My Starving Children
3. Food for the Hungry
4. World Vision
5. World Relief
6. Samaritan’s Purse
7. Love a Child
8. Northwest Haiti Christian Mission
9. Compassion Weavers
10. Mennonite Central Committee
11. Water Missions International

I would like to also add what Power to Change is doing through its subsidiary organization, Global Aid Network (GAiN) – you can click here to read more or give through them.

The Greatest Silence

I went to watch a documentary called The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo as part of the Calgary Justice Film Festival. It’s telling, it’s overwhelming, it’s uncomfortable, yes.  But it needs to be said.  I need to know about it rather than being conveniently ignorant to its reality.

Since the late 90′s, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced a political upheaval spurring on civil wars which have taken the lives of over 4 million people– making it the deadliest conflict since WWII.  In the midst of this, rape and sexual violence against women and children have skyrocketed to unimaginable rates as it has become a dominate weapon of war.

Winner of the Sundance Special Jury Prize in Documentary and the inspiration for a 2008 U.N. Resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war, this extraordinary film, shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), shatters the silence that surrounds the use of sexual violence as a weapon of conflict. Many tens of thousands of women and girls have been systematically kidnapped, raped, mutilated and tortured by soldiers from both foreign militias and the Congolese army.

A survivor of gang rape herself, Emmy Award®-winning filmmaker Lisa F. Jackson travels through the DRC to understand what is happening and why…this film features interviews with activists, peacekeepers, physicians, and even—chillingly—the indifferent rapists who are soldiers of the Congolese Army. Harrowing moments of the film come as dozens of survivors recount their stories with an honesty and immediacy that is pulverizing in its intimacy and detail, but this powerful film also provides inspiring examples of resiliency, resistance, courage and grace.

How do i even identify with stories like these?  How do i ask God for the restoration of lives without being trite about it?  What words can be said to petition for powerful redemptive work on behalf of these people and this nation?  I don’t know.  I don’t understand.

But I’m grateful for Lisa F. Jackson’s work.  I encourage people to do a simple google search of the DRC and become more aware of the situation there.

So, what can be done? How can I help? How do I respond?

- The film’s website is quite good and extensive, especially in suggestions on actions to take.   Become more educated and aware via their Reading List.  I found this list of various organizations who are helping to be extremely helpful; you can donate to many of them.

- Amnesty International on the DRC

There is a bright glimmer of hope and healing that Jackson especially highlights in her documentary about the work of a small hospital.  Hundreds of women receive surgeries to repair such things as vaginal mutilation, the destruction of the bladder, rectum, intestines, and so forth.  Their website greatly encouraged me: Panzi Hospital of Bukavu.

I bought 2 pairs of shoes for $5…

.. and then some!  You can get 4 pairs and a keychain for $10!  What a steal!

September Birthday Campaign $33

I’ve talked about charity: water before and i’m continually impressed with their great passion and high accountability as a charitable organization.  Like how they’re drilling wells in Ethiopia and using Google Earth to prove their water projects.  Like how they have live drilling videos to keep you updated and involved.  Like how they would initiate the September Birthday Campaign this month.

Scott Harrison, photographer and founder of charity: water turned 33 years old on September 7th.  For his birthday, he wants to raise $1.5 million to build 333 wells so 150,000 people could have clean drinking water. No small feat.  I’m challenged to expand my scope of vision when i realize he’s serious about this.  Scott is asking others to contribute $33 to fund wells in Ethiopia as a birthday gift.  I’d love for you to check it out, particularly if your birthday is in September.

In scott’s words.

“I started charity: water 2 years ago. We passionately believe everybody on earth should have clean water to drink.

So this year, I’m giving up my 33rd birthday so kids in Ethiopia can have more birthdays…

For my birthday, I’d love to raise $1.5 million to build 333 wells in Ethiopia.
Those wells can give more than 150,000 people clean and safe drinking water. To do that, I’m asking for your donations of $33, $330 or whatever you can give.

100% of all donations got DIRECTLY to water projects that will be proved on Google Earth. Even better, the first $400,000 we raise will be matched by a group of generous friends and sponsors.

So $33 = $66, and $330 = $660…

Thanks for your generosity!”

Relief Has Made It Through!

The world has been astounded by the Myanmar government being extremely slow to accept relief into the country, especially with 100,000+ lives gone. But I’ve received a piece of good news today in my email.   The organization I work for, Power to Change, has given a great update on how their goods have made it through into the country. So if you have given financially to help Myanmar via Power to Change, be rest assured that your help has not been idly sitting at the border

They made it!! Good news from Myanmar.

Dear Steph,

Power to Change, through our humanitarian agency GAiN, has begun shipping much needed relief supplies to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Although the situation remains desperate for so many, we rejoice that the first shipment from Thailand has arrived. This is only the beginning, but it is truly and answer to the prayers of our staff and friends like you. Here is what our staff from the field are saying:

Last night we received word that 2 of our trucks have reached Yangon. Due to their size, the supplies were loaded into 12 smaller trucks. Late last night and this morning, the 12 trucks have been unloaded at the local Christian church. There was much joy and a spark of happiness amongst the people. On the phone last night, the GAiN Thailand Coordinator said “They were so happy…. And I was so happy too!!”

For us at the command centre in Bangkok, it was a major victory. Our truck route, delivery and coordination has been confirmed successful. Two trucks have made it, and more are on the way. Our biggest concern was that the government would confiscate the goods and even though the goods would be put to good use, we prefer to give it to local believers so that they can reach out to help the people around them. Sending the trucks to Yangon was no small task. The trip took five days and required passing through four checkpoints.

Our in country coordinator has organised a meeting with a government official at one of the sites we are looking at. We are attempting to get a rubber stamp on our Emergency Relief camp and things are looking good. The government official really likes us.

In a meeting of a couple of hundred people, the government official asked “Who are the only ones left out of your family?” About 50 percent of the people put up their hands. One father, overcome with the emotion of the moment and moved with grief told how there used to be 80 members in his family. Now he is the only survivor. Although injured in the storm he had managed to climb a tree, desperately holding on to two of his young children. Over come by fatigue and his own injuries, he held on to his children as as long as he could, but eventually he was forced to let them go. The last memory he has of his family is the children disappearing in the raging storm.

There are many more stories like the one told by this poor father. We are helping local Christians show love, compassion and care as they distribute the basic goods that we supply. And the people like this poor father, through the haze of grief shock and pain, can see glimmer of hope and experience some joy.

Thank you for being part of this story.

Daniel Zelli
Spokesperson for Myanmar Relief Project

Please continue to uphold the victims and the believers in Myanmar who are reaching out with Christ’s love in this crisis. As you have read, the need is still great and so many are suffering the loss of everything, especially loved ones. We appreciate your commitment to stand with us and make this practical demonstration of the gospel a reality in Myanmar.

Myanmar Relief

It’s daunting to wrap my mind around 22,000+ lost lives. Entire villages wiped out, crops destroyed, homes in ruins, thousands upon thousands upon thousands left homeless, orphaned, widowed, displaced, injured. It’s a lot. Help.

CNN Myanmar coverage.

A few ways to give:

Power to Change (Canada)

“The estimated cost to provide immediate emergency aid, which includes a two week supply of food, blankets and a set of clothing is $100 for a family of five.”

Canadian Red Cross

Samaritan’s Purse Canada

World Vision Canada

$20 Water

Paulman pointed me to a great effort called Charity: Water, an initiative started by a photographer.

You can buy a bottle of water for $20 and 100% of that money (minus Paypal fees) goes to water wells in various countries in Africa as well as in India and Bangladesh. I really like this initiative, check out the website, quite informative.

A neat touch to this project is that they’ll actually mail your bottled water to anybody (address in US or Canada) with a personal message attached. Though, it’s an extra $6 for shipping. But still, a good way to spread the word. Of course, you don’t have to buy a physical bottle if you don’t want.

Blog Compassion: Uganda 2008

15 influential bloggers, several who get a lot of traffic onto their blogs everyday (hundreds daily, some thousands daily!) decide to use their influence to change lives forever. They’re from all across America, some of them have never even met each other face to face. But these guys and gals decide to get together and go on a trip to Uganda. Why? They’re all lovers and supporters of Compassion International. Their commitment? They’re doing several things while they are there with Compassion. But one is to avidly blog about their trip with stories, pictures, videos and experiences so that more children from Uganda will be sponsored through Compassion.

Awesome idea. These guys are taking time off of their everyday lives, they’re jobs, away from their kids and families so that more lives will be saved. Good stuff. Read some blogs, see their pictures, sponsor a child (Canadian site). I love what Compassion does, they literally save kids’ lives all over the world as we partner with them. Check out the details of this Blog Project with Compassion.

There’s a great widget that Shaun Groves made which lists all 15 blog links, pictures, videos, etc but WordPress can’t read its code. But i put the widget on my Facebook page so you can go there or go to his post about it and click on one of the “Blogs. Read. Watch. See. Give” tabs.

And this banner is just one of the bloggers. Ragamuffinsoul, aka Carlos Whittaker.