Rich kid helping Haiti's poor - how about a "good guy" getting attention for a chg

[bigred]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/09/11/jackson.heroes/index.html

The last part makes me wonder wtf re. his parents, but props to him, to say the least. Talk about walking the talk.

[petra10]

Aaron is a real hero.

[This Guy]

Great story!

Thanks for the link!

[Complexity]

I'm impressed.

[billydkid]

Not to derail or compare, but it made me remember something I saw on TV a few years ago. There was some rich guy who would ride his limo into the slummy part of the city (I forget which) and throw silver dollars (yes, I know dollar coins are not really silver dollars) out the windows and watch the "natives" scramble around picking them up. They tried to portray him some sort of generous philanthropist - a millionaire throwing a couple of hundred dollars in coins - when obviously he had found some cheap and easy way to entertain himself in the most scummy way possible - like throwing scraps down for starving dogs.

[seraosha]

Nice story but a pretty good example of useless effort.

I spent 6 months in Haiti on UN Peacekeeping in the late 90's, and despite our best efforts (US Army), without addressing the real issues of deforestation, lack of natural resources, and the perpetual bone aching poverty Haitians suffer, anything done on a small scale is little more than a gesture.

Sorry for the cynicism, but this is one story that while "feels good" does nothing for the reality Haitians face daily.

[lylfyl]

Nice story but a pretty good example of useless effort.



He helps run four orphanages, an intestinal parasite program and some medical centers in Haiti. He's handed out about 20,000 deworming pills in Haiti and educated Haitians about ways to prevent getting the disease, such as washing their vegetables, cooking meat a little longer and wearing shoes outdoors.

By the end of the year, Jackson's organization, Planting Peace, said it will have helped deworm an estimated 1.7 million people worldwide.


Is that really considered a small scale operation? Should trying to improve their quality of life in one aspect be seen as a useless effort?

I can't really say that article made me feel good about anything, other than reminding me what a lucky, ungrateful SOB I am. It may motivate people to contribute more to social causes, whether specifically to Haiti, or more generally in their own neighborhoods.

I've never been there, so I will have to rely on the opinions of those who have, is Haiti really a lost cause?

[bigred]

Nice story but a pretty good example of useless effort.

I spent 6 months in Haiti on UN Peacekeeping in the late 90's, and despite our best efforts (US Army), without addressing the real issues of deforestation, lack of natural resources, and the perpetual bone aching poverty Haitians suffer, anything done on a small scale is little more than a gesture.

Sorry for the cynicism, but this is one story that while "feels good" does nothing for the reality Haitians face daily.

um from the article:

"He helps run four orphanages, an intestinal parasite program and some medical centers in Haiti. He's handed out about 20,000 deworming pills in Haiti and educated Haitians about ways to prevent getting the disease, such as washing their vegetables, cooking meat a little longer and wearing shoes outdoors.

By the end of the year, Jackson's organization, Planting Peace, said it will have helped deworm an estimated 1.7 million people worldwide."

ie you couldn't be more wrong and frankly IMO have a very strange idea of what "doing something" means. This isn't an all-or-nothing deal yknow. He's one guy. Just because he hasn't single-handedly turned the entire country around doesn't mean his work is any less worthwhile. And I have a hunch the legions of people he's helped to one degree or other would agree.

PS and oh btw the same can and should be said of your or any such humanitarian efforts, all of which I applaud. It's a shame but understanable that you came away so disgusted by it, but again that does not negate the good that was done.

[This Guy]

Nice story but a pretty good example of useless effort.

If everyone lit a single candle....

This guy has lit several I think.

IMHO relieving the suffering of a single child is a great thing. Sounds like he has relieved the suffering of thousands upon thousands.

I say great job.

[petra10]

I agree with you This Guy,anybody who helps even one child is doing something very worthwhile.

[four elevener]

I say kudos to the guy. Some people do absolutely nothing. In fact, some of those some gorge in their excess, rendering themselves polar opposites to those who give all they've got, regardless of how much they have.

[Roadtoad]

This is a guy who really isn't all that privaleged. He's just one man who decided he could make a difference, and did.

No, in the long run, it's not a lot. But it's more than these people had before, and when you consider what they gain from this one small effort, you can't help but want to pack your bags and join him.

Deforestation? Hell, when I've been short of cash, I did some gardening. How much are seedlings for trees, and how much for a mattock and a shovel?