Thursday, May 13, 2010

An Earthquake Passes

by Aiden L K Riverstone

An earthquake passes
Beneath my toes
An unsettling notion
Is left in my heart
As thoughts of concern
Race by like 2 ton trucks
An empty freight train
May shake a small town
However the frenzied freight truck
Shakes my nerve
Serving up appetite for destruction
Watching with watchful eye
Seeing itty bitty houses fall to the ground
Like a house of cards being blown over
Once the appetite is fulfilled
My notions will be settled
Once and for all
Justice, Peace at last
Resetting happiness
To the beginning of
A brand new day
Where love settles in the hills
Looking over the tip top of the mound
You notice the sun shining
Brightly

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I Stand By Your Side

by Alexa

Hard times have come
and gone
people always need a helping hand
and now it is you who need it the most
I reach my hand down to help up your needs
to share whatever is mine with you
I want to fix all that is broken
and sew together what is torn
and although 1 person can't do it all
1 person can do more than what most would expect
so as you hurt
I plan to heal
and cure your tender pain
I want to sing you lullabies
and so the fears of darkness will go away
hush now hold on
to the faith that is left
and always remember
that I will stand by your side.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Dear Haitian children,
I am a 13-year-old girl living in Idaho, USA. When I heard about the earthquake I was shocked, so shocked I couldn’t react at first. I know it is hard for you and everyone else in Haiti. I am currently babysitting to raise money. Once I have a reasonable amount I will send it to you. My sister also asked for money for Haiti instead of presents for her birthday and it will be sent to you soon. Although money will help you I wanted to send you something else… Hope. I know your country will be fixed up and many people want to help you. My teacher for example is really close to Haiti and is part of an organization called Honor and Respect Foundation. He and another teacher of mine went down to Haiti to teach teachers better strategies at a public school in Port a Prince. All of my classmates want to help out too.
I wanted to tell you that I write poetry. I wanted to write you a poem. Maybe one day you will see it. Maybe one day I will go to Haiti to visit you. Perhaps if I go I could write poetry with you. Many people care about you and want to help. I wish I was there right now to help you, but I am not, so I want you to know that you have my heart and my hope.
Alexa
Dear Haiti,
I am very sorry about your losses this year. At my school, we are doing our best to raise money to go to the Honor and Respect foundation to help in rebuilding Haiti. At my school, we have a sister school in Port au Prince that we do our best to support. In the most recent fundraiser we had, we gave away homemade chili to people on the street and asked for donations to go to Haiti. Soon we will be having an art auction to raise money to send to help you guys. I wish there was more I could do to help, but for now I am helping and organizing fundraisers to help as much as I can. I admire all the people of Haiti for staying strong and keeping your heads up.
Love,
Izzy C. (soccer #25)
Dear People of Haiti,
Hi, my name is Claire and I live in Sun Valley, Idaho. I am deeply sorry for the massive earthquake you have encountered and the pain it has caused. I have been thinking of the earthquake often and I know I am not alone. Our school, our town, and our country have been thinking of you. The earthquake has brought the world together to help Haiti’s people. My school and 7th grade class have been raising money for Haiti by having bake sales, art auctions, dances, and selling chili. We have raised a lot of money in the last four years for Haiti. The money goes to help the children eat free meals and get an education. I hope the money we are sending will help rebuild your community. Never give up and keep fighting.
Sending lots of love,
Claire
Dear Haiti,
My name is Gavin. I am 13 years old and I am from Sun Valley, Idaho. I am in the seventh grade. In Port au Prince we have a sister school and when I heard about the earthquake I was devastated . I looked at pictures online when I could. I wish I could go down there and help. Maybe one day when I am older I can come down there and help if you guys still need us.
From,
Gavin
Dear, Haiti
Our school has tried to raise as much money as we can and do as much as we can for you guys. We are starting to send the money to help children get back in school and have a lunch program. Our school has raised more than $5,000 dollars this year. I hope that the whole world will take this into there own hands and do something about it. And you are in our schools prayers.
Sincerely,
Trenor
Dear Haiti,
I was so shocked when I heard about the earthquake and I can only begin to imagine what you have gone through. You have all been so strong and shown so much courage I’m sure that you will make it through. I’m from Sun Valley, Idaho and our school has done had a lot of fundraisers to try to earn money for you. I really hope that you and your family are safe, and that as tough as it may seem right now you don’t loose faith. As far away as we seem America and my school are fighting by your side and we will do everything we can to help you. You are in our thoughts and we will continue to do our best to help you out.
Keep holding on,
Sydney
Dear Haiti,
My name is Josie and I go to a school that has a sister school in Haiti in Port Au Prince. After the earthquake we have been making major donations to Haiti. I am really sorry that you are suffering from the terrible earthquake. We have tried to do everything we can to help you. We had a dance, many bake sales, competitions, and many other events to raise money to help you. Soon we will be selling art we have made. My friend and I have even made a video and posted it on You Tube to help donations. I admire that you have kept a smile on your face through all these hard times. I wish i could do more to help and could heal all of your problems but for now i am fighting for you in every way i can.
Keep Fighting,
Josie!!!!

UPDATE: My project was about religious and racial intolerence. On the inside of the box I focused on intolerence of religion and races where as on the outside I showed acceptance and more tolerent images. I focues a lot on China invading Tibet and the intolerence there and thats why I have the buhhda head. I hope you liked my project. Thanks!!!!! :)


Dear Haiti,
I have heard about what happened with the earthquake. I live in Sun Valley, Idaho and our school is raising a lot of money for your country and its recovery. We have been raising money through gallery walks, art auctions, dances, lemonade stands, selling chili and hot cocoa, and posting videos to promote donations to you. I hope to be able to donate more money myself, but I need to raise that money. I hope that you all can recover quickly and that you all get better soon.
Sincerely,
Willis
Dear Haiti,
I am so very sorry about the earthquake and am suprised how strong you are. I will do anything to help the cause. My name is Anna. I am twelve years and love to help out. My school does many fundraisers for you and I participate willingly and try as hard as I can, along with the rest of my class. I have been following the news and that always gives me a new drive to work harder on the foundraisers. We have a new project coming up. We are selling our project artwork and donating it to you. I really want to do well, not because of the grade but because of the fact that it will help you. I also have gotten some other people to help out too. I feel for you and want to do my best , like the rest of my class. I bet the earthquake has made you all stronger . I am very excited for the project and am ready to give it my all. Not just my class, but the whole middle school is helping. I can't imagine how hard this is for you, but we care, so always remember you are not alone.
With Love,
Anna
Dear Haiti,
I am Alexandra from Idaho in America. It hurts me to know what you have gone through, and I know that no child should have to face what you've experienced. I am 12, and I know that I would probably not be able to survive to horrible things that have happened to you. My class, and all of America are trying hard to help your country to it's feet, and I hope our efforts are paying off. It may take a while, but I am sure that soon life in Haiti will be back to normal, no matter how hard the struggle to get there is. You are strong, and if anyone can make it, it will be you. Though you may not see it yet, I am sure that when this is all over with, the rest of your life will be a happy one.
Best wishes,
Alexandra :-)
Dear Haiti
I'm Noah and I am very sorry about what happened. I know I have not felt your pain or cannot understand it but for what I can understand I am so sad for what happened and I know you must be feeling a lot of sorrow. But our school is doing its best to help you get money to help. We have raised a lot in the last year. I value your bravery and what you you have to deal with and I hope the best will happen and your city will be rebuilt. And also good luck and, I hope your dreams come true.
From
Noah
Dear Haiti,
My name is Emily. I am 12 years old and I live in Idaho. We have a sister school in Jake, Haiti. After our school heard about the horrible earthquake we just had to start raising money . We have had dances, bake sales, penny wars, and art auctions to raise money. The 7th grade is making art projects about intolerance and are going to be selling them to raise money for Haiti. We have all of you in our prayers. I am so sorry about what has happend and I hope everything is getting better!
Sincerely,
Emily
Dear Haiti,
I am 12 years old and I live in Idaho. For several years now, our school has had a sister school in Jake, Haiti. We have heard word that the school has been devastaded. Over the years, we have worked to raise money to send to Haiti through the Honor and Respect Foundation. After the earthquake, we have had several fundraisers so that we can give as much help as possible to people in Haiti. We are currently working on a project where each student will create a piece of artwork relating to intolerance throughout the years. We will sell the projects and give the money to Haiti. I hope that all of you know that we are doing our best to help you out. Please don't forget that we care.
Sincerely,
Moyo
Dear Haiti,
This year I decided to join an enrichment to help Haiti. We had a dance and a bake sale with all the profits going to Haiti. Our enrichment group ended up raising just over $700. I have kept reaserching to find out more about the earthquake and what I can do to help. Our school has a sister school in Haiti so we have been doing a bunch of projects and bake sales to raise money. I feel sorry for everyone that has lost loved ones and hope that the fundraisers are helping.
Sincerely,
Jack

Monday, March 29, 2010

Dear Haiti,
My name is Eve. I live in Idaho, and I am doing the best I can to help you. I cannot imagine how devastated you are but Haiti holds a special place in my heart because my school has a sister school in Jake, Haiti. We are doing everything we can, including making and selling artwork, just for you. Everybody in Haiti must be amazingly strong. If that happened to me I would probably not make it. I live a good life and go to a good school. For this reason I wish it happened to us. You guys have suffered enough.
Lots of Love,
Eve
Dear Haiti,
My name is Carter and I go to school in Idaho. Our school has been doing everything we can to raise money. I am very sorry for your lost loved ones and pray that your country can rebuild all of the damage. We have had bake sales, penny wars, and dances. We will soon be hosting a gallery walk and hoping to raise some good money for you. When I was told that there had been an earthquake in Haiti I was determined to help. Our school wishes the best for you and hope that things start to get better.
“Stay Forever Strong”
Sincerely,
Carter
Dear Haiti,
I have been researching and learning about Haiti's history for the last couple of weeks. I have been trying to learn about the difficulties Haiti has faced, how they have affected Haiti, and how other countries might be able to help and prevent these difficulties. I am so sorry that this happened to your country. With the research and information that I have gathered about your country, I will be making an art project. When I finish, I am planning on selling it. All the money that is made from the sale will go to a public school in Port-Au-Prince. This school will help educate your children so that they can become doctors, mechanics, teachers, etc. I hope that your country will eventually be in a better place than it was before that horrible earthquake hit in January.
Sincerely,
Maddie
Dear Haiti,
When I heard about the earthquake I was shocked. Just thinking about earthquakes makes me sad. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have gone through this. I am very sorry this happened to you, and I hope the best for all of you.
Madi
Dear Haiti,
After hearing about how many hardships people there have to deal with, I felt 10 times worse when I heard about the earthquake. I hope that all the efforts that our school is doing is making a big difference in your life. Every year we try to help and this year we have been doing more and more after hearing about everything you've been through. I feel very bad and I really want to help so I am trying to get enough money so I can fly down to Haiti and help you guys out. I want you to know there are a lot of people who care.
Sincerely,
Sara
Dear Haiti,
I am 13 years old and my school has been working so hard to raise money to help you out. I am so hopeful that your city will work through this hard time. I am doing a bunch of classwork and my own fundraisers to raise money for your school. I am always watching out for you. Keep your heads up and hope for the best. I will always be thinking about all you kids and your country. Good luck.
Sincerely,
George
Dear Haiti,
My school has been doing what we can to help everyone in Haiti. We had a contest a little while ago and it was called Penny Wars. Our school raised over $5,000 dollars and sent it to a relief organization in Haiti. Recently we did a bake sale and made more money. We all care about you guys and want you to have a good life. You are in my prayers.
Sincerely, Roger
Dear Haiti, at my school we have tried to raise lots of money, some of the fundraisers we have done are dances, bake sales, penny wars, and auctions. We are trying to find and buy tents for kids to go to school in temporarily. I am a big soccer player for my school. I am from Sun Valley Idaho, and I am 13 years old.
Miles
Dear Haiti,
My name is Sofia. I am in 7th grade from Sun Valley, Idaho in the USA. I heard about your condition after the earthquake and was devastated. We are doing all we can as a school to help you in your hard times. I hope you are safe, and I hope you keep your faith and hope in your hearts because it will help guide you through these hard times. I hope that our money will go to the right cause for you, especially helping rebuild homes and your school. So far the fundraisers we have done for you were: a dance, a penny war, a chilly feed, a bake sale, and we are soon doing a gallery walk of our art.
Don’t ever lose faith,
Sofia
Dear Kids in Haiti,
We have been doing as much as possible to help you and we will keep trying. I was very sad to hear what happened. I hope that everything gets better. I will keep trying to help. Keep your hopes and spirits up! I know you can get through these hard times. You guys are awesome.
Your new friend,
Marleigh, Sun Valley, Idaho, USA
Dear Haiti,
I am from Sun Valley Idaho and I attend the Community School. We are very sorry for your loss and are working hard to help you. Responding to your hard times, our school has raised over $25,000 dollars in the last four years. Some of our fund raising events were dances, bake sales, auctions, penny wars and coming up we will be having another art auction. Just know that you are not alone and there are many people all around the world trying to help. Good luck and I hope that things will get better.
Sincerely,Will

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Hi, my name is Aliyah. I'm 15 years old, and I live in Little Rock, Arkansas here in the US, Koman ou Ye? N'boute!, I hope! My regret is to hear about everything that is going on! The people in my country are doing the best they can to help out! Here at my school we are doing a big talent show and the money raised will all go to Haiti.
Pa Kounye, but I will still be doing a fundraiser at my church and sending more money to your home. I hope when you receive this you will respond. One more thing, I am in the ninth grade, maybe we are close to the same age. (Much Love!)
Sincerely,
Aliyah

Hello Haiti, my name is Jade, I attend high school, I take Spanish , and I regret you went through the earthquake. When I heard about it I know you were devastated.
Gen Anpil people are donating money and items to help out. We are having a dance competition at our school to raise money for you all. I have been keeping you and Haiti in my prayers.
Honor, Respect!
Sincerely,
Jade

Hi, my name is Jasmine. I am writing this letter to show my sympathy to your country. Muen regret ga about what happened and what you had to go through, and the loved ones you lost. I know this letter is not much, but I want you to know you and your country are in my prayers. Be strong and know that you are not alone, and that we Americans are sorry and we are helping in every way we can. I want you to know you are in our prayers.
Jasmine

Dear Haitian friend,
My name is Darius and so far I have donated 2 dollars to your country. I want to work more. I bet you are a very cool person! My favorite sports are basketball and baseball. I would love to visit Haiti someday!
Darius

Hello, my name is Antyonne and I just want to say how sorry I am about what happened. I live in the USA in Arkansas. My favorite musician is Wyclef Jean and I know he is Haitian, and he sings about going from a hut to a mansion. He proves that no matter where you come from you can achieve anything. I know the earthquake really scared you, but as a 14 year old I am here to say to keep your heads up because God has great plans for you, he will grant Haiti great memories. So to you and your family and friends good luck and you guys are always in my prayers.
Antyonne

Dear Haitian children,
Bonjour Haiti! Koman ou ye? Well I am worried about you because of the earthquake. I was wondering tout barry anfum? How was before the earthquake? Do you have any family in the USA? I saw the damage on TV. Are all your people still alive? I hope you avoided being hurt by the collapsed buildings, and I hope it gets better!!!
Shakira

Hola my name is Raheem and I watched the earthquake results and you have been on my mind ever since. We are raising money for you at my school and hope you get all you need to rebuild your homes and workplaces. This earthquake made people cry here! (This letter has a picture of a tree and sunshine symbolizing hope!)
Raheem (Soccer player)

Bonjou!! Mwen regret about all the things that have happened. Kown ou ye? I hope you and your family are OK? I am very sorry about the earthquake. I have donated money and will continue to help all I can. I hope you and your family and community will get well soon!
Charles

My name is Lauren, and I am a 9th grader in high school, taking Spanish Class. I know it has been hard to accept everything that you are going through, but please know that my family is has donated money and more importantly, prayers for you and you family! I hope this letter encourages you to have faith in God to pull you through this struggle, and I am praying that everything works out for your good!
Lauren

I am a very cool person, I love learning about different cultures and lifestyles. I am writing to say our styles are not so very different, I admire you country very much. I think what happened in your country taught me that we take things for granted until they are gone. You in your responses to the earthquake teach us! My name is Akia. I am in ninth grade. I am praying and hope you can be encouraged and keep the wonderful faith that you have.
Akia

Hello me llamo Tia! Yo soy de Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. Yo tengo 16. I may not know much about Haiti, but I know how it feels when something is taken away from you. Remember this: Faith is not believing for something, but IN someone, and that person is GOD! Always remember that!
Tia

Hello my name is Michael, I hope you and your family are safe, and I hope there is something to be learned from this. I especially hope this never happens again. I just wanted you to know that you will always have someone to talk to.
Your new friend,
Michael

Hey, my name is Tangulia, I am sorry for what happened, I hope you are safe, I cannot do much but you are in my prayers!
Tangulia

Whats up Haiti! I am sorry to hear about the earthquake, I know someone is going to help you guys!
Timothy

Dear Hatian children,
I am so sorry you lost homes and do not have clean water but I pray for you every night!
David (Running Back, American high school football)

So sorry it happened!!! Everybody is thinking of you and raising money for you,
A high school girl (choose to be anonymous)

Dear Guys and Girls,
I feel really sad for you, with all the lives lost and injured people.
I wish you the very best recovery!
Alex Marie

Dear Haitian friend,
I am Benny, I am so sorry you are living though this but I respect you so much, and keep you head up!
Be easy,
Benny

Koman ou ye? Mwen regret sa that you went through the earthquake!! Tout bagay anform with you and your family. My name is Tyler, I am 15 years old, and in Spanish class. I just hope everything gets better, and I hope you and your family recover quickly my friend!
Mwn Regret Sa
We are praying for you!
Tyler
Dear Haiti,
I'm so sorry to hear about your tragic accident. It is so sad to see what happened to you all. We all are trying our best to support you all by donating money, food, clothes. You are in our prayers.
Sincerely, Yours truly, a high school student, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA

Dear Haiti,
As the days go by, I see that your tragedy continues to spread throughout the world. I apologize sincerely for the losses of your family and friends, and others residing in Haiti. We, in Little Rock, Arkansas USA and everywhere else in the United States of America are trying to provide our best and help you all and your families. We also have you all in our thoughts and prayers to see a better day.
Sincerely, Cameron

Hey Haiti,
My name is Cortez. I gave "piti piti" and I go to high school in Little Rock, Arkansas. I like to "anmwe" when I can. It can only get better!!!!
Your friend, Cortez

Dear Haiti,
I hope everything is going fine, or almost getting there. God will make a change, just wait. I know everything has changed. I'm sorry to hear about what happened. I'm just praying and that's all I can do. I wish I can do more but I'm 17. I don't have a job to give any money. I'm very sorry to hear about any of you all who have lost any family members. Love to Haiti!
From Kile

Dear Haiti,
I'm sorry to hear that your country just got destroyed by the terrible earthquake. I know that there's a lot of hurt people there and I hope you all get well soon. I respect you all for having courage and strength to still stay strong. I hope to come to Haiti one day in my life.
Sincerely & God Bless, Karrel

Dear Haiti,
I hope you all get well soon. I hope everything is okay and I am sorry about what happened to you all. It will get better soon.
Love, Niesha

Dear People of Haiti,
I feel very bad about what happened to you guys. I donated money to help you guys. At my high school, we raised over $2000 to send to you. It doesn't seem like much, but we hope it would be a lot of help to you. It may seem that bad things happen to you, no one knows the reason, but it may be for a good cause in the end. I hope that things get better for you and your families.
Love, Tranecia

Dear Young Haitian,
I hope that you get back on your feet soon. I'm so sorry to hear that you don't have any food or water and also no home. I am praying for you.
Sincerely, Hailey

Hello Haiti,
My name is Jessica and I am a senior in high school. I was very saddened to hear about the disaster. I am keeping you in my prayers
Sincerely, Jessica

Dear Haiti,
Bonswa! Mwen regret sa about the earthquake. Everything will be alright. I live in the little town of Little Rock, Arkansas in the USA. I wish I could come down there with you. Sorry about your losses.
Love, Jade

Dear Friend,
Hello, my name is Derian. I am a 15 year old girl in the 9th grade in high school. I am very sorry to hear about what happened in Haiti and hope bagay anform - that everything is OK. When I first heard about what happened I was very sad and decided that I wanted to help. So a company and I decided to donate $500 dollars to help with the earthquake. And remember we are praying for you and hope for you the best.
Love, Derian