This is not a normal blog post for me…just because I live in Haiti, in my own bubble of Gressier’s poverty and need, sometimes I forget how the rest of the world lives. But since coincidentally I am in the states for a few weeks talking about Respire Haiti, I recently experienced a bit of “normalcy” in the world of America.
Let me start off first by saying, I Love Football. Yes, I really do. I’ve been a Saints fan since the day I was born and was even a Tulane Cheerleader (shhh…don’t tell) and I was the cheerleader who would forget to say the cheer because I was watching the game so intently…
So now that that disclaimer is made, I can start saying what has puzzled me most recently in the land of America. Sunday, February 5, 2011. Super Bowl Sunday. Big game. Lots of Parties, Food and Fun. I am all in for that…as I reiterate that I Love Football, I also Love Super Bowls….but now let me tell you what I DON’T love, and what I am SO confused by….
Businesses paid an average of $3.5 million dollars for a 30 second commercial during the Super Bowl….let me say that again…$3.5 million…yes MILLION.,. for 30 seconds…For 30 seconds when there’s a good chance people will be using that time to race to the bathroom….or refill their drinks…or grab some more crawfish dip (Shout out to Mrs. Bebe Haha)
While I am in the states raising awareness and funds for Respire Haiti my mind was blown…$3.5 million. For 30 seconds.
I could NOT stop thinking about what I could do with that money….that $3.5 million would FINISH the WHOLE school. IT would build the library, computer lab, medical clinic, community center, pavilion….that money would make these dreams that all of these Restaveks and Orphans have in Gressier a reality. Education for thousands. Freedom for hundreds of children. $3.5 million would have completely built Heartline’s Maternity Hospital they want to build, and save HUNDREDS of mothers and babies.
But then again, I thought, well I’m in America, it’s hard for people to know about things they don’t see….sometimes it’s hard for people to care about Haiti…so, giving a little grace I stopped thinking about MY organization…and thought of the HUNDREDS of others here in the U.S of A. that $3.5 million could help….
….I thought about all of the SCHOOLS that are underfunded in America…all of the foster children and orphans that are struggling here in the States…I thought of my old workplace Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana…what could THEY have done with this $3.5 million.
For 30 seconds…these businesses could have built schools, rebuilt lives, fed children, healed people…
And I know…in the end it’s ALL God’s money. In the end, God ALWAYS funds what HE is leading.
Call their commercials marketing. Tell me how they probably give to charity other times. Remind me how GREAT the Super Bowl is… But ultimately my mind is still spinning at the reality of how much money was spent on Super Bowl Commercials.
But still…I can’t help but think…if Budweiser would have given Respire Haiti or any of these other organizations…even just 5 seconds of their 30 seconds…we could have built CHANGE. FREEDOM. FOREVER.
meganboudreaux.com 
Such an awesome statement! Companies should look at the big picture. It is not always about allocating large sums of money to charity. Think if they could just allocate a small portion of advertising budgets to those who really need it. It is about corporate responsibility. Sounds like a great marketing plan for your next corporate “ask”!
Megan – I’ve been keeping up with your blog since meeting you last summer when our medical group brought a mobile clinic to your area. Your words in this blog are stated perfectly! This past Friday, YOU were on the forefront of my mind when I encountered a similar situation at the school where I teach. I did a lunch supervision duty for the first time (I normally supervise outside recess) . I was utterly amazed at how many FULL lunch trays were being tossed in the trash can at the end of the lunch time. My first thought…kids in Haiti are starving and here we are throwing full trays of food in the trash can! I was so disturbed by this fact that I was sick to my stomach…literally. The students are required to get a tray whether they are hungry or not. Point is…how can we find a medium with this? So frustrating!
AMEN Sister!!!!!!!
#TIA huh.
Megan, you are one of a few women whom I have had the opportunity to work with and I can truly say that you are a great inspiration to me…As I read Matthew 5 it reminds me of your never ending love for the Children of God….. Matthew 5 >>
American King James Version
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1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came to him: 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his flavor, with which shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Girl, I am so proud of what God is doing with you to further his kingdom. I totally agree with your blog. I am not a football fan, but am so amazed at how much money is wasted to fund so much stuff that is of no true benefit to the world we live in. I lived in a children’s home as a teenager, and I have been on several international mission trips. Those trips really show you what is important in this world. I have been praying for you and your school. I will be supporting some youth that will be headed your way this year from the Chapel. I can’t wait to see what is going on new with you. May God continue to bless all that you do and say, and I pray that you get that 3.5 million. Our God can. Penny
Money will never change anything. Only the Spirit of the living God will be able to effect eternal change. While it is disheartening to see the waste in America, nothing but a work of His Spirit will suffice.. …..Dim mirrors……
You are right that Only the Spirit of the Living God will bring about effective eternal change…but because we live in this world there are definitely times where the blessing of money allows Respire Haiti to better serve, meet physical needs (of hunger, school, therapy) and also build buildings that become a safe haven for these children. Knowing their Identity in Christ will change their lives forever, having the ability to eat, get an education and help will change the quality of their lives, and unfortunately this can only happen through financial blessings. Thanks for your comment!
Megan, my heart goes out to you. Just the other day I paused at a golf show on tv. The green was offset by surrounding cacti and sand and it occurred to me that God had placed the desire in someone’s heart to make the desert green. And they probably spent millions of dollars doing this so that other someones who have extra time on their hands could knock a little white ball around all day in the fresh air and sunshine. They’ve missed a calling, maybe? God gave them abundance and they just don’t know enough or feel enough to do something truly noble with the overflow? I thought about you and your hill in Haiti and the wreckage in the cities there and the drought in Africa where literally millions are starving. God gave us plenty, a bounty so that there would be enough to share with everyone in such a way that they can fend for themselves. They could be working in gardens and tending fat cattle – if there just were some.
But you. You stepped up to the plate and that’s what it takes. People like you. People who do what people like me only dream of. People who make a difference in the world. One child at a time. One hill at a time.
Sounds like a change.org petition in the making! Challenge a company that hosts super bowl ads year after year! If NOTHING ELSE, it will spread awareness!
Once God has allowed you to see everything with “child lives” money value, everything is valued and weighed by that. It is a Gods’ eye view that breaks your heart….. keep telling them Megan….. He can open other’s eyes to see it, also. God bless you and the kids…. He has and will continue to do so….. because it is His work….. :0)