Haystacks for Haiti

The earthquake in Haiti has shaken me. I've never been to Haiti, I don't know anyone from Haiti, but yet, but yet, I can't pull myself away. I see those pictures and I think of my baby. I think of my family. I think of compassion. I think of Dr. Farmer.


Everyone should read Mountains Beyond Mountains. It's beyond inspiring, proving that yes, one person can make a difference. Dr. Paul Farmer graduated from Harvard Medical School and instead of following the cash, he opened a clinic in Haiti. Living like a pauper, he built a tiny clinic into a thriving multi-national health organization for the world's poorest people, Partners In Health. I read that story years ago, and with the recent news, Dr. Farmer comes to my mind again.

And then I thought about mud. I remember reading an article about rising food prices, and how poor Haitians have resorted to eating "mud cookies" - essentially dirt biscuits, held together with a little oil and salt. 'People eating dirt,' I thought. 'Our world has come to this.'

So these mud cookies. And this earthquake. And this doctor. All these things came together in my mind when I decided to do something about it. I'm calling it Haystacks for Haiti.

Haystacks look kind of muddy, like the famous Haitian "mud cookies", so why not make a batch for some Haiti awareness and have a little fund-raiser? I made a double batch, about 50 cookies total. I'm taking them to work tomorrow. I'm going to put up a sign that says, 'Hey, take a cookie, and consider a donation to Haiti relief. I'll match your donation, up to $100 total.' Whatever cash I raise is going to Partners In Health and their earthquake relief fund.

I floated the idea to another co-worker of mine, just to make sure I wasn't completely crazy. He thought it was cool. In fact, he said he'd pitch in another $100 as a donation match. Now we're rolling!

So here we go. I have no doubt that the cookies will go over well tomorrow at the office, but I hope people donate. I'm guessing there will be a couple people who will take a cookie and pretend not to see the tip jar, but I think most will. Maybe $50 ($1 a cookie)? Maybe we'll meet the $200 match goal?? Stay tuned.

Hungry for Haystacks yourself? Get the recipe here.