Haiti

I haven't posted on here for a long while, but I know a lot of PC people still read this, and I know a lot of you have great, good, big hearts.



Yesterday, January 12, 2010, Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake. Initially, Haiti had a 7.0 earthquake. Since the, the country has been hit seemingly nonstop by earthquakes (aftershocks) ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 magnitude.

The country is in ruins, and people testified to seeing a cloud of dust rise above the city at the end of the earthquake. The National Palace to the UN Headquarters have been destroyed. The hospital and healthcare system is demolished, the airport couldn't get any signals out, the jail has been destroyed with some escaped inmates. More importantly, the Haitian citizens are without home, food, water, health care, or power. Many are trapped under rubble and hundreds of thousands are feared dead.

Luckily many countries, companies, and individuals are pledging aid to Haiti. The country has been a poor and disadvantaged country for a long time, but this earthquake has simply put the country into ruins.

Please remember, right now the Haitians can use every little bit of aid you can offer, so please consider visiting one of these sites to help.

• American Red Cross (click to donate money, or text "Haiti" to 90999)
• Beyond Borders
• CARE
• Doctors Without Borders
• Haiti Children
• Haitian Health Foundation
• Hope for Haiti
• International Medical Corps
• International Rescue Committee
• Mercy Corps
• UNICEF
• World Hope International (to donate for Haiti, choose "Disaster Response: Haiti" from drop down menu)
• World Relief Responds
• World Vision
• Yele (Wyclef John's website to raise awareness about Haiti)

Support!

Today is a big day for the PC.....important! Even if you don't know why, keep for fingers crossed and keep hope, today is a big day!

I'll be thinking happy thought and sending good vibes out all day!

Do the same!

Excitement!

Brittany just got her invitation today! Well, of course she's still waiting for the packet to come in the mail, but her PO emailed her she was invited!!! I'm so excited, so you can just vaguely imagine the excitement she's feeling!

The funny thing is that a few days ago, I said "Brittany, the reason the reason you haven't gotten it yet is because your PO is planning to invite you the day I get my letter!"

Today, I got my letter.

Today, Brittany got invited.

Awesome!

Goals

So right now, I'm planning to reapply in August. Looking at everything right now, IF they let me get a nomination, I don't plan on it being until next summer or later (tho my availability date will be 1-10-09). In the mean time, I will either (a) stay here for an extra amount of time, or (b) apply to one of 2 programs to work with youth/orphanages/tefl in Africa for several months during the application process. I hope PC works out, otherwise, I dunno where I am? Maybe here longer.

Doing what I can to get more & more experience. Obviously, I'm here so that's big experience. Might get 2 more small TEFL certificates (Youth & Business) using the same company I did last time. Starting Tuesday, I'll be volunteering with an organization who helps sick children. Looking for other things too. Maybe 1st Aid/CPR?

Send Some Love

A child from my hometown in Indiana has a condition with his brain called AVM, his parents have set him up a Caring Bridge website, and described his condition here:

Since he has been at Riley, they determined that the cause of the bleeding is a congential (at birth) brain problem called an AVM (Arteriovenous Malformation). Basically, the bloodvessels are in a tangle in a certain area of the brain and the built up pressure finally caused them to bleed.

He is currently in Phoenix to receive his second brain surgery....second brain surgery and he is just a 6th grader! 

What you can do is go to Andrew's website and help the parents reach their goal of sending messages to him through the guestbook & send optional donations. Also, if you have a blog, twitter, facebook, or even e-mail your friends/family.....you could give this link and information to spread the word through networking to help his parents achieve their goal & bring Andrew a little cheer through the messages.

PC PSA

Sara posted a Peace Corps public service announcement on her blog, and it made me remember a coulple of the ones that I particularly like. And also, just because I like to copy her I thought I'd show them!

Support

Cool Barak Support the PC vid someone made