It’s almost a year since the trip and a LOT has changed.

Two of my best friends and I have started our own NGO. Wow. Is this challenging.

I cringed as I just reread this article and am glad I have improved in my writing.

You would be interested in helping us out, joining our cause, or just supporting us by spreading the word or donating, please email us at ceed.global@gmail.com or me personally and put “CEED” in the subject box @ jaredkrauss@gmail.com

Also, please check out our website which we are still in the process of setting up and trying to get our NGO off the ground, but we’re just a bunch of college students stumbling and fumbling through this.

Cheers,
Jared Krauss

http://informationincontext.typepad.com/good_intentions_are_not_e/2010/01/dont-go-to-haiti.html#more

It took me a second of thought to really realize what he meant. Then I got to thinking about what I was planning to bring on this trip, and it was wholly different from any other packing list for any other trip I’ve taken. I’m planning to bring the bare minimum for myself, but I plan on packing a soccer ball or two, some color books, crayons, and maybe some other stuff for kids. I’m cutting down on all the accessories for myself, to make room for things that will provide for others. So, that quote of yours was speaking to me long before you ever wrote it to me, I just wasn’t aware. Thank you for putting words to actions.

Dear Kathryn,
Thank you, and that is very true. However, there is a place for everyone somewhere. There are other places in the world where help is needed as well, and the organization of the effort in those places is much more advanced than in Haiti. While I know a large portion of our empathy sits with Haiti right now, because of the relevance, proximity, and time of the situation, we can still look to other parts of the world, and home, to be of help.

Dear Michelle,
I hope that I have put you in contact with the appropriate people. Also, thank you for your gratitude. Good luck in your efforts, and look to my post above.

Thank you all.

Regards,
Jared Krauss

-Why should you (or anyone for that matter) send money to me, when they can send it directly to Haiti?-

To answer your question:

It is a matter of personal choice. If you have the ability to send your money directly to Haiti for it to be used properly, and trust in that method, than it is obviously a good choice to do just that.

In the same way, we, Students Helping Haiti, here at the University of Iowa are providing people with a way to have a direct impact on Haiti. Essentially, sending money directly to Haiti as well.

Like I said in the article, we will not be just going down there to tour and look sad. We will be doing work, putting money into the economy, perhaps not on a massive scale, but it is more than before.

So, where you send your money is a personal matter. I’m simply letting people know that if they want to send money to us, they can. I’m providing another outlet for people.

Thank you for your honesty.

Kind Regards,
Jared Krauss

Also, you said there is a girl from Texas State who is taking a student group to Haiti? Well that’s only 30 minutes from me and my school, UT-Austin, so maybe I can connect with her about going with her group? please let me know.

Great Job!

“If you truly want to be of service to the world, you need to keep your own needs to a minimum.”

Food for thought.