Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti need Our Help

Hello Ladies,

Just wanted to thank you guys for following the site. I haven't spent as much time blogging as I probably should. However, since this is a great way to network with folks, I really want to do what I can in spreading the word about relief efforts in Haiti. Now I'll be honest, I don't believe every relief effort has good intentions. That's why I'll only post specific ones that I believe will bring the money and resources to our people. Here's a few tips to better determine if a relief effort is reputable:

• Do they offer transparency in regards to how money or resources is dispensed?
• Do they have insider cooperation?
• Do they have an underlying agenda or are they linked to larger companies or services that get a "cut?"
• What is their track record for organization and proficiency in response to mass disasters?
• What do the people they help have to say about their services?

I decided to support The Yele Foundation because it passed the above checklist with flying colors. When you can, please visit http://www.yele.org/ to learn more about Wyclef Jean's Foundation. There you can make a donation or you can visit the wonderful blog http://www.clumpsofmascara.com/. There a donate button for the Yele Foundation will enable you to make a contribution.

If y'all don't know by now, I consider myself a part of the global African community. I am a firm believer in the Kwanzaa principle of Ujima --(Collective Work and Responsibility). I believe in order to build and maintain our community together, we must know that our brother's and sister's problems are our problems, and no matter where we are in the African Diaspora, we must solve them together.

The man of my life's family is from Haiti and my cousin's family resides there as well. Please pray a special prayer for them. Love you all and many blessings to you and your family.

Remember ladies, within all of us is a story. Black women we must tell ours or no one else will.