deeds born of knowledge

I am currently in Tampa, Florida coordinating a wonderful partnership between the Haitian community of the greater Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. Over 15 Caribbean and Haitian organizations are actively working together to help in Haiti after the disaster. And they have chosen Stop Hunger Now as one of the three agencies to recieve the funds they are collecting.

This is both an honor and a great responsibility. SHN was chosen because we have been working in Haiti for over twelve years. We have a track record of significant accomplishment in a country where that is never easy to achieve. We have also demonstrated that we have the necessaary knowledge to use donated resources wisely and to best effect.

I am reminded of something Martin Buber once said. We have to respond with action in a crisis. But the action must be informed action. And that is what SHN is able to provide in this crisis, action rooted in a knowledge gained by experience.

The greater the crisis becomes, the more earnest and consciously responsible is the knowledge demanded of us; for although what is demanded is a deed, only the deed which is born of knowledge will help overcome the crisis.  

This knowledge is what allows our many partners to have the assurance that funds donated to us will be used wisely and effeciently to achieve the greatest good. They recognize that SHN gets the job done. It is something we can all take pride in accomplishing.