Connecther

My Haitian Cab Driver

It was 5:45 am Monday morning and there were only two cab drivers waiting in Harvard Square.  The first cab driver accidentally fell asleep in his parked cab. I woke him up and he apologized saying, “I’m sorry, I don’t drive this route.” The only other cab driver happened to be a guy who didn’t take credit cards.  I had no cash.  Luckily, my son was with me and had $40 cash to give me (as much as I’m sure he did not want to part with the cash :-).

It must have been meant to be for me to get this particular cab driver. I had just previously spoken on a couple of panels, one about social enterprise and the other on emerging markets at the Harvard Undergraduate Women in Business’s Intercollegiate Business Convention (HUWIB). The cab driver told me he was from Haiti and we got to talking. He works as a cab driver in Boston, and sends money home to his wife and two daughters in Haiti. He wishes more Haitians shared his beliefs on raising strong, independent girls, and knows that supporting these values is better for their futures. I was happy to learn that one of his daughters is pre-med and the other has a background in finance.

We began talking about the recent earthquake. In a defeated tone, he said that in Haiti they always prepared for hurricanes, not earthquakes. I asked about all of the relief efforts I heard about American nonprofits engaging in. His look at me in the rear view mirror compelled me to stop and wait for him to speak. He said that when the earthquake happened, the Haitians, including himself, were the first ones on the ground setting up medical stations, providing services and helping people cope and survive. “Did you hear about our efforts?” I simply replied, “No.”

He went on to speak of the various instances in which the money from nonprofits are not reaching the actual people in need. As in many cases with foreign aid, although well-intentioned, the money and help does not trickle down to the people. In the case of nonprofit money not reaching the people, it might be because of too much bureaucracy or high consulting and administrative fees. 

My Haitian cab driver did mention that there was a nonprofit that was doing great work in Haiti. He asked, “Have you heard of Dr. Paul Farmer of Partners in Health?”.  Oddly enough, I had just spoken on a panel with Donella Rapier, current CFO of Partners in Health. He said, “They are really reaching and helping the people of Haiti.” Inspired by this, we asked Partners in Health if they would consider posting a project helping women and children in Haiti on Connecther.  Their answer was yes!

I really want to learn more about local people helping in their communities.  At Connecther, we post projects that are helping women, girls and children in their quest for self-reliance. We really look for projects where local people become vested in the project. We don’t want to lose sight of the fact that we are one big family, all working together for each other.  Are there projects that you know of that you would support on Connecther?  Which women’s issues and causes do you think most need our help?  Contact us at connecther@gmail.com.

Posted by Lila Igram

Contact Us at Connecther@gmail.com