Haiti or Bust, v2
Thanks again for everyone who chimed in (both in email and on the blog) in response to my earlier post about Haiti. Believe it or not, there are so many people volunteering to go to Haiti–and their infrastructure is still so compromised–that you have to basically apply for the job.
I am still waiting to hear back from some churches; there was one place that had an opening but it coincided perfectly with a conference at which I had already agreed to teach.
At this point I have blocked out two separate weeks on my calendar and registered with this (secular) group. I have never felt like such a privileged American slob as when filling out the form to convince them they should pick me. A sample (paraphrased for humor and brevity):
List your medical training? Band-Aid technician; cleaned up son’s puke and poop.
List your construction skills? Opened bathroom door the other day that had been locked from the inside.
Previous volunteer work. Setup chairs with the janitor every week at my old church, and was assistant coach to a junior high basketball team. (That’s actually the real answer I put!!)
Other skills. I’m not actually a certified CPA, but I might be able to help with bookkeeping if you need that. I am a good writer but I’m not doing grant proposals to governments.
Why should we pick you? I have a blog and I bet I could get you guys more donations than some other skill-less clown. So if it comes down to a dozen skill-less clowns and you have one spot, pick me.
