k unemployed people who have no money but some free time. I did some asking around and I think I found something.
Many people in the US are trying to contact family and friends in Haiti, but can't afford to spend all day (time or money) calling. But we can help out by making calls for them.
Former Reed student Clare Payton is working at a calling center at the Haitian Enlightenment & Literacy Project (H.E.L.P.) in New York. Right now there are only two volunteers making calls and they are soon going home for the day. If we on the west coast could continue to make calls as long as we can, it would be really helpful. Do you have some spare skype credit to burn? (yeah. ok. so my sister in New Zealand can wait until next month for me to call.) Do you have T-Mobile? T-Mobile is offering calls to and from Haiti at regular US calling rates.
Join the facebook group Haitian Response. You will see a list of people and phone numbers on the wall. Call the 509 numbers. On Skype select Haiti as the country and dial the number after 509. On a regular phone you will need to dial 011 + 509 + Phone Number.
If someone answers, find out: 1. Who picked up? 2: Where are they? 3. Is the target person alive? 4. Are any other family members dead or alive? 5. Tell them who on the list is trying to contact them.
It is especially useful if you speak French, but if you don't, it's ok. If you can't communicate with the recipient, or if the call cuts off before you can ask them questions, it's ok. Just the fact that someone, anyone, answered that phone number is very valuable information. Most likely, you will get a variety of error messages or even recorded music playing at you. You may not find anyone, but what you are doing is important. If you do get an actual person on the phone, report the details on the facebook group immediately.
Good luck, and thank you for your help.
