Los Angeles Wedding Photographer | Josh Newton Photography Blog

In the next few months, I will hopefully be going to Haiti to help Child Hope International and Discover the Journey – whenever the airports open up and some roads are cleared. If you’d like to help these organizations out, I will be bringing them any donations given to me and putting it into their hands. This is a real chance to help and make a difference over there. Email me at photos@joshnewton.com if you’d like more info.

Haiti is considered a fourth world country. They don’t have many natural resources and consequently can’t import or export many goods. They have an extremely corrupt government, their health care system is lacking in so many ways, there are very few good paying jobs, and most residents have a hard time just finding food and water. So when a disaster like a 7.2 earthquake hits a country that is already desperate, utter devastation ensues.

But there is Hope.

I visited Haiti a couple years ago and stayed at a friends house where they are running two orphanages. I was completely overwhelmed by these kids love for each other and for God. They had such amazing faith and understood Him in a way that blew me away. They were not in the best circumstance when it came to their living conditions, but they have a inner peace and joy that is unexplainable.

There are so many things I take for granted here in the states, and I am completely humbled when disasters like the earthquake in Port-au-Prince happen. It really makes me think about what matters in this life – what I need to put my energy into and what I shouldn’t. I develop a new appreciation for being able to get a good nights rest, have drinking water wherever I go, and know that I have a government that wants to protect me.

Direct ways you can help:

1 – Donate to an organization running two orphanages

When I was over in Haiti, I did a lot of photography for an organization called Child Hope International. It was started by a couple good friends of mine and its truly an amazing organization. They’ve raised about $80,000 already but are going to need a lot more to rebuild parts of both orphanages and also help their neighbors

2 – Help raise awareness

I worked with a phenomenal videographer name Jonathan Olinger while I was in Haiti. He has started a non-profit organization called Discover the Journey. He’s been to over 50 countries the past couple years and has told the story of so many kids that are in dire conditions. He’s risked his health and life many times to help make a difference in this world. I love him dearly and will always have a special place in my heart.

He is in Haiti right now and you can follow his journey there on twitter or donate here.

3. Red Cross

This is a really easy way to help – SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. They’ve raised over $6 million via text messages and this is always a great organization to help.

4. Pray continually

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
-Proverbs 31:8-9