Amidst the destruction and stink of death, there remains life and hope in Haiti. This little boy’s smile reminded so many of us that Haiti still needs our help. There are still lives to be saved, and donations are still desperately needed.

In my previous posts on Haiti, I mentioned initiatives that are directly donating to Wyclef Jean’s charity, Yele. While I still do believe that Yele will use those funds to benefit the people of Haiti, I’ve been doing some research amongst people I personally know who have been to Haiti and seen the devastation first hand, who have shared some of my concerns.

And my concerns are — misappropriation of funds meant to help victims of the earthquake. Religious groups who are viewing this as an opportunity to help, yes — but also as an opportunity to convert and therefore “save” Haitian people from their own beliefs, to their religion of choice. Notoriously corrupt government officials and/or CEOs using this as an opportunity to fatten their own pockets. People starting up fly by night charities with the intent to fleece those of us who yearn to help, to give, to do something for this destroyed country. And believe me, all of that is happening right this minute. I am not condemning any charity, and I myself gave to Yele and the Red Cross. But I felt the need to do a little more research.

I reached out to two friends of mine whose opinions I value implicitly — both esteemed reporters who have a track record for exposing corruption. Both of them were just in Haiti to report stories, and just returned to their homes this weekend. I would like to express my gratitude for their unrestrained honesty.

One of my friends recommended Doctors Without Borders and Mercy Corps as the two large organizations they personally observed doing the most good on the ground right now. This friend also mentioned the Tzu Chi Foundation, a Buddhist group from Taiwan that has a rich history of helping people after natural disasters, especially earthquakes. This group is notable because they do not try to convert people to their religion. Right now they’re in Port-au-Prince, giving people blankets, rice, corn powder, used clothing and medical kits.

One of my friends is Tristram Korten — one of the best journalists I have had the pleasure to know. Tris writes for the likes of Salon, Ocean Drive, Mother Jones, and Atlantic Monthly. He told me and I quote: “The best, most direct group working there in my opinion is UM Global Institute/Project Medishare. They set up the largest operating hospital, and Medishare has been there years. I know them from before all this.”

The trauma doctors of Project Medishare are working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Health to get help where it’s needed most.

Once again the charities that I am hearing are doing the most on the ground right now are:
UM Global Institute/Project Medishare
Doctors Without Borders
Mercy Corps
and the Tzu Chi Foundation.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t feel free to donate to whichever charity seems best to you, I’m just trying my best to get information I know I can stand by 100%. If you know of any charity that is successfully helping the Haitian people, please let me know in the comments!

Originally posted over at BVHairTalk.com.

I must be honest — it’s difficult writing about hair care and beauty products at a time like this, when thousands upon thousands are suffering in Haiti right now. But good news from the world of hair and beauty — some very charitable companies have stepped forward to give support to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, just as they need it most.

Every donation to Wyclef Jean’s Yele Haiti organization that is made through Karen’s Body Beautiful will be matched by the company. Also, KBB is sending products directly to Haiti. Click here to visit Karen’s Body Beautiful, and click here to go straight to the donation page.

Super fly jewelry designer Camille Peace of Peace Images will be donating a percentage of all her proceeds this week to Yele Haiti. Click here for details, and click here to visit her Etsy store. Her loc chains are gorgeous!

Sarah, designer of hair accessories line Sarenzo Beads, will be donating 20% of every sale that uses the word Haiti at checkout. Click here for details, and click here to visit her web store.

If you know of another business that is legitimately donating funds to Haiti, please let me know in the comments below. Our hearts go out to Haiti at this time of unbelievable tragedy.

With every news report, with every wretched photograph or dire update on social media, my heart goes out to Haitian people suffering in Port au Prince and those relatives and friends around the world who are desperate with worry for their loved ones. I keep thinking of David Rudder’s classic calypso, written so long ago, but so poignant today.

Haiti, we’re sorry.

Have you donated money? Clothes? Canned goods? If you’ve done something to help the situation in Haiti today, please tell me in the comments below.

If you know of another business that is legitimately donating funds to Haiti, please let me know in the comments below. Our hearts go out to Haiti at this time of unbelievable tragedy.

The usual posts about hair, makeup and fashion will come later — right now my heart aches for Haiti. The already-suffering island nation was just hit with a 7.0 earthquake. A hospital has collapsed. Government buildings have been severely damaged. There was a major tsunami watch, earlier. Reports of major devastation are just starting to pour in via the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and CNN.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti, and anyone with friends or family in Haiti right now.
When you witness something like this, it can make you feel helpless. But you CAN help. By donating to charities that are directly involved in relief efforts.

Click here to donate to UNICEF’s relief efforts.

Click here to donate to Wyclef’s charity, Yele Haiti.

Click here to donate to the Red Cross.

If you know of a Haitian charity specifically working towards these urgent relief efforts, please add it to the comments. And if you can, please give to our Caribbean brothers and sisters in need. If you can’t, then send your thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti in the face of this catastrophe.