Hope For Haiti telethon raised 58 million from the public.. People donated by phone ,internet and text. Corporation donation is not included in this 58 million.

http://www.theinsider.com/news/3167201__Hope_for_Haiti_Now_Telethon_Sets_New_Record_for_Funds_Raised

I am interested in the long-term aspects of the Haitian recovery. A firm I have been reading about for a while is called Architecture for Humanity, and is where I will be sending my donations.

This is on their front page now:

$500,000 Matching Grant Challenge to Rebuild Schools in Haiti studentsrebuild.org

In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Architecture for Humanity, the Bezos Family Foundation and Global Nomads Group have partnered to create “www.studentsrebuild.org,” a $500,000 matching challenge grant and call to action for middle and high school students and educators around the globe to help rebuild better, safer schools in Haiti.

Students: Create teams that raise funds and partner in the sustained reconstruction effort. Through interactive video, conversations with building professionals and live connections to Haitian students, you’ll learn first-hand how people can rebuild communities and lives.

Visit www.studentsrebuild.org to learn more and sign up your team.

The organization's raison d'etre and goal:

"Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999. We are building a more sustainable future through the power of professional design."

>>>>>By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.

Each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity. Our advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 50,000 people annually. We channel the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally. From conception to completion, we manage all aspects of the design and construction process. Our clients include community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations. <<<<

I'm including a link to a 3+ minute TED talk from last fall by founder Cameron Sinclair: (It doesn't seem to be loading, but here is the address http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_sinclair_the_refugees_of_boom_and_bust.html

1.Martha St Jean said that,

I am suffering an inordinate amount of anxiety over the adoption of these children. As grateful as I am for the outpouring of support, I have grown wary that many in their noble attempt to help the children will fail to protect them and allow the process of verification to lapse leading to harm.

Child sex traffickers become even more industrious in their attempts to place children on the black market during times of chaos, exploiting instances of national emergencies and natural disasters such as the earthquake that rocked Haiti. Some media outlets have been portraying Haitian adoption laws as restrictive and as I now witness the melee surrounding these children, they are understandably so. Now more then ever, with these children at risk, this is not the time to be sending children abroad, jetting them out of the country.

I also want those of you reading this post to understand how orphanages in Haiti work. Here is an excerpt from a long series of e-mails regarding the situation in Haiti:

An important point to remember is that the way orphanages work in Haiti is very different from what we Americans know orphanages to be. Due to political instability, poverty, etc., many families put their children in orphanages to ensure that they are off the streets, have a place to sleep, and have a bit of food to eat. This is not to give them away nor are the families under the assumption that they may never see their children again. Further, many do not realize that they are permanently signing away their parental rights when they put their children in those US /Euro missionaries orphanages. This is why Haiti changed their adoption laws and foreign adoptions take so much longer than Haitian/Haitian adoptions.

As members of the international community, we should be seeking reunification of these children with family members. Taking them out of the country will not only lead to a permanent physical separation but a cultural one as well. Haiti has just suffered a devastating setback and needs to rebuild; the country needs a posterity in order to accomplish that.

The disconnection of these children from their families and the land all in the name of nobility can backfire in unimaginable ways. Now is the time for the re-staging of the adoption debate taking place, we must not only think of how can we "save" these children who needed help a long time before the earthquake hit but how can we invest in their futures so that they can develop in terms of human capital in an economy with so little financial capital.
2.Mafia Wars : Haiti Relief Fund
It was not a very long time ago since Zynga released Special Item for charity for Haitian people who suffered from hunger and proverty. Now that country is suffering from the devastating consequences of Tuesday's earthquake which killed one hundred thousands of people.
Due to the horrible tragedy that has befallen the people of Haiti

Donation links,
http://www.redcross.org/
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/haitidonate/
http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

I think the best achievement so far was getting flight ground controllers in early to direct the barrage of commercial and military flights. Also, the military has helped to coordinate with the NGO's and the UN forces that were there previously. They are also handling logistics at the airport which helps to get food to the people of Haiti.

Politics: Haiti government leadership has been corrupt, in the past, and very unstable. Stable government leadership will take time.

Business: Hopefully, Haiti apparel exports will increase, jobs be maintained, and reconstruction of the country begin.

Education: Education is one of the most important areas in Haiti's restructuring effort that needs improved. However, water and food needs trump education, for now.

Relief: The US is the major player in providing relief having contribute over $54 million in money, food, and supplies. Clean water is a major problem in Haiti.

My vote is "Clean Water" emphasis.