Sunday, January 17, 2010

Eight, so far

We've all seen the devastation in Haiti. Watched the tally rise.

10,000,

20,000

50,000

200,000

But it's really meaningless to most of us.


But not to my aide, Nerlande (Nelly,) who is from Haiti. She has been walking around for the last few days hiding tears. I asked her if her family has been in touch with her, and are ok.


She has lost some members.


"Eight, so far."


Now it became very personal.

I know I'll remember hearing that for a long time.

The kind, gentle woman who has helped care for me for months has suffered a tremendous loss. Nameless, faceless victims aren't dead, but relatives of a friend. And since the initial reports, she has lost even more family and friends. The toll rises.

Sure I gave her a condolence card, and a few bucks to help out. But it is so little. I am asking everyone, if you have been thinking of sending some money to a reputable organization to help out, please do. If you haven't, please reconsider.

Here on the East Coast we have a huge Haitan community. Many of our friends and neighbors have lost family. Help for their sake.


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10 comments:

nonamedufus said...

Wow that must strike close to home for you DOM. Must put a very sharp perspective on things. Best of luck to Nelly and her friends and family.

Unknown said...

A very touching post. Quite uncharacteristic for a tough Jersey boy like yourself. WELL DONE!

Donnie said...

Too bad for her and Haiti. It's a shame that a good, strong government can't go in there and clean that place up, and I don't mean the mud and debris. We're all different until something like this occurs and then suddenly we're all on board for the common good!

ReformingGeek said...

That was a very poignant and eye-opening post. Thank you.

It is so easy to shut-out the news stories because "it's so far away" or simply because it is heart-breaking to see all the devastation.

Locally, we know of at least two Americans that were killed. One women, close to my age, was over there with her church. The other was a young man, just starting a new position with a government agency. The mother is assuming he is dead because she has not heard from him and his hotel collapsed. They have not found him as of a few days ago.

Yes, now it's a bit more personal.

brokenteepee said...

All of these crises touch us personally - we just have to understand that. It is not some far away place.

I am very sorry for your nurses's family. Goat hugs.

A New Yorker said...

Similar experience to yours in NYC. Won't elaborate on your blog comments. Glad you helped her.

Moonrayvenne said...

It is very sad to see those images. We will be donating, of course.

Anonymous said...

Aww...you're just a marshmallow under all the crotchetiness! I knew it!

That was sweet DOM, real sweet!

Deb said...

Condolences to Nelly and the strength to carry on so far from home. I hope she is surrounded by more people like you. I don't know how they begin to pick up the pieces...literally and figuratively.

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

Many families are experiencing great loss. I feel bad for the people of Haiti and have made my contribution--it seems like the least I can do. I am also praying for the rescue workers to be able to get the supplies to those in need in a timely fashion.

You are right though, when you personally know someone who has loved ones over there, you realize it's real.