Some News Is So Big It Deserves Its Own Page – That is the caption on the Huffington Post Haiti Earthquake page. Click on the link. Read the headlines and look at the images.
I have to be honest, there are times that I catch myself looking at images like the ones we see from Haiti and not quite believing that conditions such as these could possibly exist. I’ve never seen anything like this first hand. Most of us would never imagine sights like these.
We read about celebrities, politicians and church groups that visit places where the daily reality is nothing short of a nightmare. They go to “help”, to bring attention to causes, and to raise funds. The prospect of heading to Haiti right now when nearly 95% of the rubble from last January’s earthquake is still to be removed, almost 6000 people have died from a cholera epidemic, and political unrest sparks daily violence, is a little frightening.
Yet, it is something I have contemplated. It’s an opportunity that could possibly present itself…. possibly. Maybe. The Heart of Haiti campaign will be sending one of the program ambassadors (of which I am one), to Haiti in January over the one year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake.
I’ve lived an incredibly blessed life. I grew up in a loving family, had the best education, married a loving man, made beautiful babies….. no matter what difficulties I’ve had to face somehow I’ve always landed in a good spot. Sometimes this feels weird, like I’m not sure I deserve to be quite as lucky as I am. I know that much of this is due to my attitude and the perspective with which I choose to look on things, but my reality is a very good one. I am grateful and I try to be generous. I’ve been generous in my community with my time but mostly I’ve been generous financially. My “giving back” has always been quite comfortable. I’ve never looked into the eyes of a man or woman who faces challenges very few Americans could ever fathom. There is not a doubt in my mind that traveling to Haiti would be a life changing experience, one that would extend beyond myself, to my community, my family and my readers, but…
Am I worthy of such an experience as traveling to Haiti?
Does that sound stupid? It feels like it sounds stupid but that is the question that has weighed on my mind lately. Do I want to go to Haiti? Yes. Why? … Why? Well-and here is where I fall flat…. My eyes fill with tears and I feel that tightness of anxiety in my chest. I should be able to say something of great significance that would set you all in awe of my fabulous-ness. Instead, I make up words like “fabulous-ness” and wipe the snotty tears from my nose.
Personally, my own community has struggled with more tragic events over the past three years than statistics say should be possible-so much for statistics. More than once I have uttered the question, “how does one go on after this?”. When I look at the images of the Heart of Haiti artisans on the Macy’s website I feel gratitude. EXTREME gratitude for the hope and humanity they represent. If after all these men and women have endured (even before the earthquake), they can create and live and love and smile … well, it just proves how resilient and determined we all are as a human race. These people inspire me and they give me hope.
(Well, lookie there, The Blonde, seems to have answered the question!)
Just being an ambassador for this program has been incredibly fulfilling. Last spring I set a goal for myself-to live with purpose and to hold all of my work up to the MomActive mission statement, “To motivate and empower women to be positive role models for their families”. My involvement with the Heart of Haiti initiative is the cherry on top of all of the amazing work that has come my way in the past 8 or 9 months.
These are my fellow Heart of Haiti Ambassadors, visit them all and read about their experiences with this project. Read about the women they have chosen as The Heart of Social Good and learn how trade for aid initiatives touch the lives of so many people in so many ways. And stay tuned because I will be following the blogging, vlogging, fabulous-ness of the ambassador that does travel to Haiti because I know that the experience is likely to change all of our lives.
One Brown Girl: Tracey Friley @OneBrownGirl
Ananda Leeke: @anandaleeke
Green Your Decor: Jennae Petersen @greenyourdecor
Mommy Niri: Nirasha Jaganath @mommyniri
The Broke Socialite: Shameeka Ayers @brokesocialite
Madre Minutes: Barbara Collins @madreminutes
Real Life Sarah: Sarah Pinnix @RealLifeSarah
Peas for Prosperity: Christy Annis @Peas4Luck
My Brown Baby: Denene Millner @mybrownbaby
The Fabulous Do-Gooder: Bessie Winn-Afeku @fabdogooder | @sheismeprogram
Wow! What a great post. I love that you actively chose to live your life with purpose and have followed through. It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day responsibilities and although we have great thoughts of helping others – it gets put off one more day, then one more week, then one more year.
I know you don’t know me and I know this may not mean much coming from me – but it is sometimes nice to hear anyway.
I am proud of you.
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Fiona Bryan Reply:
December 24th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
*sniff* this comment has made me tear up – what a kind thing to leave on a post, Daria! I looked at your blog and when I saw your KIVA post I instantly decided that you and I should become great friends!
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I often feel like I need to go and help somewhere and then I wonder… how? What will I do once I get there? Will I wander aimlessly and give food or clothes or money to someone who looks like they are in need? If I were to do something like this… I’d want to go with an organized group equipped with the tools needed to embark on such a journey. I’d want them to be knowledgeable. I’d want to feel safe. My heart of compassion wants to go… but how?
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Fiona Bryan Reply:
December 24th, 2010 at 11:58 am
These are thoughts I’ve had at times as well – I don’t know the details of this trip but I’m certain there are groups that organize trips to places like this. I would be most comfortable with people who were able to point me in the right direction, kwim? I also think that as moms with responsibility to our kids we have to balance making our time with them a priority while still showing them how to give freely … this is where I’ve struggled.
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Fiona you are a wonderful example of holding yourself to be true to your personal values in your work and your world. LOVE this post and all it says about being brave to live by the standards that feed our souls and help others, taking the focus off of me and turing outward to the world and turning your eyes up =) Blessings to you for all the amazing work you are SURE to do in 2011!!!
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Fiona Bryan Reply:
December 24th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Molly, I know from our conversations that you have great things in store for 2011. Someone with your spirit and energy already gives more than you realize, embracing that and allowing yourself to marinate in it will be truly rewarding for you and your family
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You’ve given me so much to think about this Christmas Eve. Thanks for your beautiful words and thoughts.
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you are amazing.
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What a really great post. Visiting a country that has endured such devastation over and over again is humbling and will take your breath away. Bless you all that are going on this trip, you will come back changed.
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