By: Cassandra Clifford
Note: This post reflects the views of the author, not those of the Foreign Policy Association. The author is an independent contributor.
We don’t all have a lot of money to send to Haiti to add to the countries harrowing disaster and relief effort and few of us have the needed skills, time and capabilities to volunteer to go over and help the country quite literally dig themselves out of the heartbreaking rubble that covers the impoverished nation. However we are overcome with empathy and an extreme desire to do something to help, including children.
Children have a unique sense of uncompromisable sense of empathy when they hear of disasters, and especially wen they think of other children just like themselves in need, injured or without parents. Sadly disasters are the perfect opportunity to teach children the true value of giving and ensure they maintain a sense of empathy and compassion that is not lost in daily life, and thus see how they can make a differnece. Therefore it is crucial that we teach children about human rights and global awareness.
Ways Children Can Help:
- Fundraise
Unplug Your Kids has a great list of fundraising ideas for children to take part in and raise funds for Haiti.
- Teach Your Children More about Haiti, Disasters and Poverty
Talk to your children and look up resources to show your children what the country was like before and after the earthquake, and why their need is so great. Learn more about the countries history and culture. You can find satellite photos before and after the quake to show the extreme devastation, some can be found on The New York Times provides satellite photos from GeoEye.
- Start a Family Collection Jar
Have everyone, kids included, put their loose change in the the jar at the end of each day. Then discuss a charities working on Haiti relief and the needs that face children in the country and then decide as a family on which charity to donate to.
- Make Something and Donate It
The Etsy store, Craft Hope for Haiti is accepting and selling handmade goods to benefit Haitian relief efforts.
- Host an Event
Hold an event at school or church, anything from a Pancake Breakfast to a Donation Drive for needed items for an organization working on the relief effort. Please be sure that before collection items you speak to a charity to ensure what is needed and that they can logistically be delivered.
Regardless of how your children get involved in the Haiti relief effort, or any disaster effort or cause, encourage them and let them know how their impact will be felt.
