A few words...

I am currently recuperating from a minor hand surgery, which I will talk about towards the end of the week, after I publish the few scheduled posts I have prepared (to give me a little more of a break from writing). Spending these last few days at home on a standstill only made watching the terrible events in Haiti more acute and real...

Because of the French connection, Montreal is like Little Haiti. Haitians are one of the oldest, and most prominent communities established here, and this other tragedy on them hits hard. I can't stop thinking about all these people I crossed path with who were all probably affected, at different levels... From former classmates, whose few faces were the only ones that struck out in my hometown where cultural diversity was a completely abstract concept... Former co-workers, professors, friends, bosses, SIL' former fiance. Favorite writers, journalists, and other public personalities. I can only sincerely hope these people will find the courage to bounce back yet again.

I know that some cynical people have tried to take advantage of the crisis and come up with schemes to divert donations. But I hope people will not be detracted from giving anyway, because right now it's really badly needed.

Please give if you can. There are many legitimate organizations, like the Red Cross, which coordinates international aid. There are also Doctors without Borders, or Wyclef Jean's Yele. We personally chose the Unicef, since the welfare of the children is always what preoccupies us the most.