A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010. Through various media formats, the world was able to get almost instantaneous news and images of the disaster as it was developing. Images of destruction and death poured in from media outlets telling an unbearable story of suffering and loss.

This prompted an unprecedented worldwide response in the form of organized efforts to collect funds and resources for those suffering in Haiti. Contributions have come from collective funds set up by governments, NGO's, businesses, non-profits, and even individuals. It was and is a call to action for everyone to help, in any way that they can.

Jim and Karen Ansara, clients and friends of EchoDitto, heard this call. Together they organized The Haiti Fund for Relief and Reconstruction, through The Boston Foundation. The Ansara's put up $1 million of their own money and challenged their friends, family, colleagues and fellow community members to match their contribution.

Karen found her way to help by organizing the Haiti Fund campaign. She assembled a communications team to get their cause into the media and develop a community online.

Meanwhile, Jim decided that the best way he could help out was to hitch a ride with members from Partners In Health and touchdown at ground zero. Jim landed in Haiti on January 16th without a single notion of how bad things actually were. He was shocked to find bodies piling in the streets, hospitals without electricity or water, and buildings crumbled to almost nothing. Amazingly, through all of the chaos Jim also found hope and a strong sense of community.

Jim's experiences provided a centerpiece for Karen's campaign to build a community around the Haiti Fund. His notes were made public through a blog on WordPress. This site was promoted online via twitter, email list blasts, and blogger outreach, driving thousands of people to the blog. Jim's unique coverage kept visitors coming back to his blog, and in turn, donating to the fund. It was the perfect medium to broadcast these experiences.

The blog has continued to provide a unique transparency to what the Ansara's are trying to do. Through his entries, Jim has highlighted the need for not only immediate relief, but long term dedication to reconstruction. This is something that the Haiti Fund is focused on - being in Haiti long after the dust has settled. In one of Jim's entries, he quotes Winston Churchill:

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

The significance and meaning of this quote is fully realized by the disaster in Haiti and the Ansara's focus on long-term reconstruction.

On February 10, 2010 the Haiti Fund passed the million-dollar mark. With their own match, they will have over $2 million to dedicate to rebuilding infrastructure in Haiti. They are now in the planning and assessment phase of their work, reviewing specific sites and prioritizing by where the need for attention is the greatest.

You can continue to follow Jim and Karen's efforts at jiminhaiti.org. The Haiti Fund is still accepting donations.