CRI听力: Because We Can - Beijing's Charity Events for Haiti

Ever since the recent earthquake in Haiti struck, governments and organizations worldwide have rushed to alleviate some of the devastation and emotional trauma caused.

In Beijing, half a world away, several groups have also taken it upon themselves to do what they can.



CRI Reporter Andrea Hunt has the story.


Nature is indiscriminate and the world saw the earthquake in Haiti rip apart the lives of thousands in only a few minutes.

Some Beijing residents like local DJ Jeff Hinson and Network Club founder Brian Gale have used their local connections to quickly organize events in the community to raise money for Haiti as a reminder that ordinary people can also make a difference. (www.hXen.com)

"Here these people have nothing and live in a terrible situation and then they have a horrific thing like an earthquake, and I'm someone who has a lot of sympathy, seeing it really hurt."

Brian Gale's degree in child psychology has motivated him in recent years to focus on local migrant children, but this recent tragedy has moved his attention abroad to help children in Haiti.

Gale notes that it was previously harder to plan charity events but the 2008 Olympics ushered in a new era of volunteer mentality with local youth and elderly participants.

"One of the best things to come out of the Olympics was the spirit of community and helping other people. Also, because of the Sichuan earthquake, people in China saw how much people around the world had contributed and given and cared."

Mr. Gale is planning "4EVER Help Haiti Kids", a fundraising party at Mako Theater with live music and 100% of the ticket proceeds going towards donations on Thursday, February 4.

Jeff Hinson is part of musical DJ collective "Funk Fever" and has used his musical connections within Beijing to coordinate with international noNPRofit group Partners in Health, which has also promised to donate 100% of the proceeds.

Partners in Health has been helping in Haiti for over twenty years in the most impoverished areas, and Hinson says they have fully proven themselves to be fit to manage the money raised.

"We wanted an organization that was committed to Haiti and committed to helping Haiti develop on its own in the long term."

With the help of local venue, Yugongyishan, Hinson and four other members of "Funk Fever" will raise money through a "Hope for Haiti" party on Wednesday, February 3 with an Afro Caribbean musical theme.

Three local DJ ensembles and three bands have volunteered to play and the bar will also donate 10% of its drink sales.
Both Funk Fever and Brian Gale's Network Club have been promoting their events online and have welcomed the local media's attention.

But it's more than just planning an event, Jeff says.

"We put a lot of work into this, a lot of effort, it's all for the cause, just the interest is in giving back."

Nature may show no remorse, but there are no borders to human empathy.

Andrea Hunt,CRI News.