As report after report comes in from Haiti, the media repeatedly tells its stunned public that there is “no equipment available anywhere” to dig out the victims and no help in sight. The Haitians only hope, the media tells us, is the philanthropic generosity of Western nations.
Palais des Minstere
The help of international aid organizations as well as that of wealthier governments is indeed needed. However the widespread assumption that the Haitians themselves have nothing to offer in their own relief effort is misguided.
While many Haitians have been devastated by this most recent natural disaster, many more Haitians, on the island and abroad, not only are ready to help, but have the training and resources to do so. Yet despite many requests to government agencies, institutions and philanthropic organizations, a multitude of Haitians find themselves being denied the ability to help.
Eglise Sacrecoeur
Haitians with disaster relief and medical training are posed to be the most effective in the relief effort. With knowledge of the island, as well as familiarity with the people and the language, they have the ability to offer a level of support in the relief effort that foreign relief workers are simply not in the position to provide.
This is not to say that foreign relief workers are not needed or are unwanted, in fact, they are desperately needed. But it is to say that governments sending aid workers, particularly the United States, should prioritize sending Haitian relief workers who can provide critical support to those who are unfamiliar with the island.
I don’t consider myself a 
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Post-college, your suddenly thrown out into the “real-world.” Suddenly being “busy” doesn’t mean running to organizational meetings filled with people you love and enjoy working with, around issues that you care about. “Busy” means trying to figure out a way to pay all of your bills on a nothing salary (keeping in mind you have no idea what a “budget” even is), while simultaneously learning how to be a “professional” and an “adult.”
Last Sunday while watching football I was moderately surprised to see the players rocking pink gloves, wristbands and shoes…. but my confusion was quickly assuaged by repeated explanations that the “
