For those of you not well-versed in internet acronyms (like my spouse….and mother), that stands for In My Humble Opinion. I’ve been keeping this blog for nearly a year now, and specifically have kept my opinions to myself – the purpose of the blog, after all, is to focus on our beloved Guatemala.
Over the past few days, though, people on both sides of the border have pondered two main questions:
- Why is there virtually no coverage of the disaster in the States?
- What, besides sending money, can we do to help?
Look, I have no idea what the answer to #1 is. Maybe the world has been so numbed to disasters that it is hard to get a blip on the public’s radar. Here is MHO (refer to the acronym tip, above): If you love Guate, it is up to you to spread the word about the suffering. It really isn’t good enough to sit back and complain about the press, public, Angelina Jolie, etc. (The snide Angelina remarks may have originated from yours-truly, but that was a bad morning…). The internet is our friend, and it is up to us to get the word out.
On to #2: I know that it is not much fun to write a check, but that is job-number-one right now. The people on the ground - Guatemalans and Americans – can get the initial relief work done right now. When you write a check to a reliable (preferably grass-roots) organization you do a couple of things: You get the money straight to where it is needed, and you put some much needed funds into the Guate economy.
I KNOW that you want to get on a plane right now – I do, too. What I hear from the NGOs on the ground is that should wait. That being said, there are some folks who had already planned a trip down there for purposes besides disaster relief. If this is you, please find out what is most needed (but not available for purchase in Guate), and bring it with you. I am sure that, if you have a suitcase to spare, we can put you in touch with someone who will make good use of it.
For you MEDRANO fans – what are they saying about shipping to Guate? If you were planning a shipment down there, please still plan on it. I know it takes 6-8 weeks, but there will still be needs then – maybe more so than now, as the rainy season is only beginning. But, please find out what the groups need – specifically. I think those soccer uniforms can wait – water filters might be the priority – but we’ll find out for sure.
RAISE AWARENESS – oh yeah – I’ve already said that…pictures, videos, personal stories, eyewitness accounts. Post those somewhere on the internet. If you want me to send people to your blog, YouTube account, etc. just say the word and I’ll do it. If you want me to post your stuff here – that’s good too. Nag your friends – some of us are particularly gifted in that – you know who you are.
Please comment as you wish – ideas are more than welcomed.
Thanks for helping spread the word about the devastation here. Your guidance is spot-on for how individuals can help. The local community and volunteers here are working non-stop in the villages, and ensuring the supplies they need are available quickly is critical in these first days. Your love for Guatemala can be felt by all of us here – mil gracias!
Thank you for your post. Yes, getting the money to the organizations on the ground is of great importance right now. We are also interested in finding out more about efforts in getting needed items (water purifiers/ med equipment / etc.) shipped. If there are groups that will be coordinating that, we have families that will want to help. Thanks for getting and keeping the message out there.
I spent the last weel traveling with WFP Guatemala and am stuck in GUA city until Sat or Sun. If there is anything I can do or bring from the city, please let me know. Obviously, now is not the time for unskilled people to jump on a plane, but I thought since I’m here I would offer.