[pct-l] Hike for Haiti

[Dan Africk]

Paul, thanks so much for setting this up, this really speaks to me.
Sustainable building and permaculture are real, long-term solutions to
helping Haitians meet their basic needs, while avoiding some of the
environmental disasters that made them so vulnerable in the first place.
This should make Haitians more self-sufficient instead of being dependent on
foreign aid, which will really help to put their future in their own hands.

It would be wonderful if everyone on this list who plans on hiking this year
signs up. Do it now!

www.hikefor.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Paul Mitchell" <bluebrain at bluebrain.ca>
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 20:12:27 -0800
Subject: [pct-l] Hike for Haiti
PCT Class of 2010!

I've started a fundraising project that I'm hoping we can all get behind and
turn into something really special.

A couple weeks ago I wondered, what could we - the Class of 2010 - achieve
if we worked together on a single cause, dedicating our individual hikes to
that cause and asking our friends, families & folks we meet along the way to
pledge a per-mile donation? The answer is of course, dependant on how many
of us get involved! I think each of us that signs up and actively spreads
the word can get a lot of pledges, after all, these hikes are pretty
interesting (not to mention long!) adventures and our families, friends,
co-workers, etc are usually pretty supportive, even if they think we're
crazy! Once we have a good number of hikers and sponsors signed up, we can
approach gear manufacturers, hiking food producers, retailers, etc. and
ultimately I think we could really achieve some great results!

The next thing I wondered is what could and should we do with the funds?
Obviously the first thing that came to mind was Haiti. This is a country
with a long history of incredible poverty, and this earthquake has inflicted
unfathomable hardship on it's already impoverished population. There are
plenty who could use help here at home, no shortage of worthwhile causes,
but I think we need to start where the help is needed most, and whatever
money we raise, it can definitely go a long way to helping a lot of people
in Haiti.

How do we make sure the money does help as many people as possible in Haiti?
I've personally had some experience with natural building and permaculture,
and these non-mainstream but growing solutions to housing and food
production can be highly effective on very limited budgets - and best of
all, they can be easily learned and passed on. I contacted some friends at
the Natural Building Network who work closely with a number of natural
building and permaculture organizations, and discovered that they've already
been discussing plans for housing, water, food and energy solutions in Haiti
with a heavy emphasis on education and empowerment. I strongly believe this
is one of the best possible things we could contribute to, and fits very
well with the nature of our fundraiser in general. There's more on the site
about the project plans that will take shape over the summer while we hike.

So, after a bit of reflection that was the general idea and it felt like it
was maybe a good one, but I wasn't sure it was something other hikers would
be interested in. I figured it was worth a try, so I got started on
development and today for better or worse the site is ready for hikers to
register their 2010 hikes, and for supporters to make their pledges!

If you're on the trail this year, I hope you'll take a look at the site and
consider making your 2010 hike a Hike for Haiti.


www.hikefor.com


When we're having those inevitable low moments on the trail, knowing that
there's such a worthwhile cause attached to our hike might give us something
really positive to reflect on. Every extra mile we hike sends more support
to people who have much rougher days than our rough day on the trail. As
someone who has tried and failed twice to complete a PCT thru-hike I know I
could use that extra motivation!


Paul Mitchell - Potential178

www.potential178.com