Haiti is in Crisis. On October 4, 2016 Hurricane Mathew, a category 4 hurricane, slammed into the island and caused extreme destruction. A staggering portion of the population lost their lives, families, homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods in the storm. Food, water, medical care, and basic necessities suddenly became scarce and urgently needed.
Although it might not be a premier surf destination, (and this ceases to matter when people are suffering and dying in the aftermath of a natural disaster) there are waves in Haiti. A couple of months ago I watched and was inspired by some footage presented by Surfing Magazine and Waves for Water of Carissa Moore and Jake Marshall surfing fun looking waves on the Caribbean island. Moore and Marshall were on a mission to help provide clean water filters to locals who, prior to Mathew’s destruction, were already struggling to procure basic necessities and battle diseases like cholera.
Since Hurricane Mathew the humanitarian crisis in Haiti escalated to unthinkable extremes. My personal level of intrigue and desire to help has intensified too. Baring the funding and or sponsorship backing to jump on a plane and make a heroic effort to cast light on the embattled island, how does a surfer who cares about the world and it’s surf destinations make a difference from far away?
To start with, I just donated $50 to Waves for Water’s Hurricane Mathew Relief Initiative for Haiti through the Waves for Water website. Although my individual effort may not seem like much it’s the collective response of all of us out here in webland that makes the difference. At the time of writing this article Waves for Water had raised $87,824 of a $150,000 target amount designated to the Hurricane Mathew response.
Waves for Water not only accepts individual donations but also offers an easy way for viewers to create their own fundraising events. There’s a button on the Hurricane Mathew Relief Initiative link labeled “Start a Fundraiser.” If you’re interested in taking things a step further and creating your own fundraiser for Haiti simply click this button, set up an account, and get started. Get that old garage band back together and pass the hat around. Inspire friends and relatives to sponsor a paddle race. The potential to get creative and make an impact, as it turns out, is endless. So, take action, make it fun, and make a difference.
Waves for Water is only one of many organization offering ways to help. The San Diego Tribune suggests 5 other ways to get involved, listing them in the article at the this link.
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