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What should I do ???

BigAl

BigAl

Gone But Not Forgotten
As many of you know I am to leave for Haiti to work with a relief group building back housing from the earthquake disaster on June 1st . In all this time they have only cleared 30 concrete pads .That is pretty sad . They seem to be more interested in playing games on the weekends than working to get homes built . I really do not want to go down there and feel like I am wasting my time .I want to agressively build housing . My whole plan has always been to help teach them(locals) to rebuild there country and take pride in what they are doing .
The group I am involved with is a lot of college students who I think are more interested in partying than getting much done . This ain't about them feeling good cause they donated a few days to help but teaching and helping their fellow man in a time of need .They will probaly earn college credit too !

Now the kicker .......Last night I recieved a job offer from an investmest group . They are offering to pay my fees to oversee the building of a new Super Market .They will donate every penny I earn directly to my school charity in Panama which goes to help the local Indian children to afford to go to school . They know I have the charity and they know what it means to me . It would easily give 1000 kids a chance for school or upgrade the existing program so we have more options for the children we already have .
The problem is they want me there ASAP .

I am really fighting with myself over this .
One side tells me I made a Haiti committment and that is the way it is . The other side says I got a chance to help a lot of young kids gain a education .

The problem is their are not enough hours in the day to do it all ...

Haiti may end up being a waste of time if I cannot get people moving to get things done . The Panama school charity is already up and running and making a difference . I feel like I am damned if I do, and damned if I don't.

If nothing else I'll probably just go to Haiti and hope I can still work a deal with the group after I get back .

Any of you knuckleheads got any great words of wisdom or ideas ?????
 
i would say take the job for the kids. it sounds like the people down there doing the Haiti program are a bunch of screwoffs, and, unfortunately, i dont think it would be worth your time, if you know that the Panama program you are doing will definatley make a difference. thats my 2 cents on the subject. either way, whatever you do you should be proud of yourself for doing so much to help others. kudos to you sir.
 
It would seem that you've weighed the Haiti option and found it wanting. On the other hand, what you've got going in Panama IS making a difference.
I don't think you'd be breaking much of a commitment if you went with the Super Market option.
 
If it where me I would do the Panama charity. As someone living most of my life in South Florida and some time spent in Haiti, I have little faith in that place to anything more than it is now regardless. It is just the nature of the beast there, poor country, poor education, no skills so odds are against anything changing there ever. Just my opinion mind you but I'm sure you will do what is right for you.
 
Which choice will generate the greatest product for your efforts? Which recipients of your efforts are neediest? Can the Haitians wait for housing? Can the Panamanians wait for education (or improvement thereon)?

It seems to me, those in Haiti are in more need of someone who can organize, energize and realize group efforts.
 
1) You have decided to give your time to helping people in need.
2) Both Haiti and Panama are in need.
3) Panama has a proven record of success.
4) I resume that you would not be running the operation in Haiti. Therefore you cannot direct the success, you can only go with the flow.


Finish what you have started in Panama.
 
Knowing Panama is truly in your heart and the fact you can over see this and do more good for the locals you know the answer is there already.

Continue the great work your doing....harsh but the truth is you cant help everyone,but will get thanks from the ones you do.

Thanks Al.
 
You have only one good option based on the facts you've posted: the Panama Super Market. Seems to me you'd be wasting your time and energy in Haiti and that would drive you nuts.

K
 
I guess if you look at my signature line you will see my problem . I am a Master Mason . We never break our word . Our word is as good as a handshake or a written contract .

I agree that the relief effort in Haiti is not progressing as I had hope ,but I made a promise to God and those people .

The wife said it best tonight ..... If you don't go you will always wander what might you had been able to accomplish .

I guess I an going to need to think about this a few days . I think I already know my answer .



Damn it !
 
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well whatever you feel is right, is right. nobody can blame you or criticize you for going with how you feel. like i said, kudos to you either way for doing what you can to help those in need. you're a good man
 
BigAl said:
I guess if you look at my signature line you will see my problem . I am a Master Mason . We never break our word . Our word is as good as a handshake or a written contract .

I agree that the relief effort in Haiti is not progresing as I had hope ,but I made a promise to God and those people .

The wife said it best tonight ..... If you don't go you will always wander what might you had been able to accomplish .

I guess I an going to need to think about this a few days . I think I already know my answer .



Damn it !
Click to expand...
If its by the square and on the level of course you have no choice.
 
Follow your heart Al. Can the agency in Haiti give you a timeline for getting materials in place to start construction? Would be sad to miss something you can readily do in Panama to go spin your wheels in Haiti. I don't hold much hope for things changing down there. Months have gone by and they are still arguing over where to build. If former presidents can't get things moving you will knock yourself out for nothing.
 
I did not realize that you abode the Masonic Code.
I must retract my earlier statements and tell you as others have; You must do what you believe is right. A man's word should be as good as gold!
 
The reason Haiti is in such bad shape isn't from just the Earthquake, it is from the people that are in charge there, and they are corrupt... and still there.

Helping the kids there is a no brainer, you said it yourself, they need the school and they would love to have your help with it.

So, why you asking us when you already know the answer....?

You are in a place where you can make a difference and have done a lot towards that end already, most of us would be lucky to be able to do a fraction of what you have done for those people already.

Good luck!
 
pirate_girl said:
You seem to be stretched in a thousand different ways here Al.
Follow your heart.
Click to expand...
I agree with PG. Do what YOU think is best. Everyday we all have to make decisions to do one thing and pass on another. We don't always make the best decision but if you do what you believe to be the right thing you can move on with your head held high.

All that said, there seems to be an overabundance of help in Haiti. They put you off until June for whatever reason. Whereas you have a unique skill set and could make a big difference in Panama, a difference which would enrich the country for many years and generations to come with the help to the school.

And I suspect they will be rebuilding in Haiti for years to come. Perhaps you could delay your help there to get this local project done, and then offer up assistance again to Haiti.

I really don't think there is a wrong answer, but you have to do what you believe is right. And I have a feeling you already know that answer.
 
i totally agree with doc on this one......help the kids of panama for now and offer up help for haiti when the next available time comes up...there will still be work to do in haiti for many years to follow.the offer you got to help the kids and generations of kids to follow will bless you for life....Bill w:flowers:
 
i didnt even read all the other replys but from what i know about you from just knowing you here, i think you will do the right thing and somebody somewhere will be better off because you are a part of their world, i think i would help the school kids, they are the only help this world can hope for even if they are from another country.who knows what will be learned in a schoolroom in a small country somewhere because some guy helped them out when nobody else would.god bless what you do al :clap::clap::clap:
 
Thanks guys for the input . I sent off a email today asking if my arrival time is still the same as planned . There may be a few changes but it looks like the bottom line is I am still on for Haiti in June . I did get a reply from the investor group that would like to use my services and they have agreed to give me 30 days in Haiti . I guess they are kicking the whole thing around and it looks like I may be able to hire my own people and have total charge of the project . Right now I really wish I could clone myself because I am having way too much fun in Panama .:w00t2:
 
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