Being aware of others, helping those in crisis

Just three weeks ago an earthquake left a country devastated. I feel like it has been three months since then.

As each day passes, I’m reminded I have done nothing to help the people in Haiti, even though I have practically nothing substantial to give during their time of need.

I feel guilty even though some might say I have some sort of guilt complex. Some may say I should not take the aftermath of the earthquake so heavily upon my own shoulders.

However, this is the first time in my life I have realized how numb I have become to the world’s tragedies that are happening every minute of every day. In the past decade, other tragedies have almost reached the level of devastation Haiti has suffered, yet I would only feel guilty for as long as the news headlines chose to cover the tragedy.

It seems after a set amount of time, my brain clicks back into reality, putting something like Haiti on the backburner until I hear the news again. So this is where the guilt comes in.

Haiti most likely won’t recover within this decade. If history repeats itself, it may not be able to recover at all unless a continual support system is guaranteed. For the first time, it seems as though we, as a nation, are realizing just how much long-term planning and effort it requires.

The heavily advertised $10-text-message system is just one testament. We can make it easier and more convenient to really make a long-term difference in Haiti. Simply donating a few dollars and then leaving the job up to someone else to finish is something I would have done in the past.

After seeing the devastation and learning how long it will take for these people to recover, I’m challenging myself to remain aware of this situation and consistent in my attempts to help these people.