Feb.

11

ZR Exclusive: Faces of Haiti

When I want the truth about the human cost of conflict or the devastation in countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Israel and Haiti, I tend to listen more to the people on the ground. After all, it’s reporters like CNN’s Anderson Cooper or MSNBC’s Richard Engel who get to the heart of the issue no matter how difficult, don’t you think?

Another person who gets to the substance of the matter through his work is critically acclaimed photographer Les Stone. As you know, I’ve worked with Les before to tell the story of Women for Women in Africa. We’ve recently been exchanging emails regarding the plight of the people of Haiti, in fact, Les is in Haiti right now, so I asked him if he would share some images that reflect the feeling on the ground.

As always, the photos that Les sent me were so moving that I thought I would share them with ZR readers. It’s true what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and I realize that I am not playing fair here, but that’s the point. I am hoping these images will move you to take action. I am hoping that if you haven’t already, you will go to Free Rice and take the quiz and help the people of long-suffering Haiti.

Reports indicate that over 800,000 Haitians are still homeless and need food desperately. So, for each correct answer at Free Rice, grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Programme who will insure that the food reaches the people in Haiti. How incredibly awesome would it be to help? And all you have to do is prove that you are smarter than a fifth grader. Ha!

It’s Friday, and you know you are goofing off a bit at work anyway, so do something philanthropic, take the quiz, and help the people of Haiti. Thank you!