Gig For Doctors Without Borders

0 CommentsThursday • January 20, 2011 • by Imei

Tweet

Just after the earthquake that killed over 222,000 people and left over 1.2 million homeless hit Haiti and moved our hearts, I was inspired to put my money where my mouth was, and I went to my usual bellydance gig with an idea. I implored the guests of the show that evening to give a little more than usual in tips, and I would donate 100% of those tips to two organizations: Doctors Without Borders and The American Red Cross. That evening, I collected more tips than I ever did in any single show at the same venue. And while the quality of dance and the girl are the same, it simply proved what you and I already know: we feel good when we help others . A year later, I’m asking for your help again, but this time, with a your social network, so that I can find a gig to raise money for Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Let me say up front: both The American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are exemplary organizations and first responders to the crisis in Haiti and other places of need around the globe. I have given money to both organizations in the past, and donors are keep up-to-date with what happens to their dollars. I’m focusing on Doctors Without Borders (MSF) because of their consistent campaign that has attracted volunteer doctors, nurses, surgeons, and other medical personnel to save lives. Currently, there is an urgent need for aid as a nationwide cholera epidemic grips the people, due to poor sanitation and water, as well as the need for better shelters. Speaking to a representative from MSF, she said reports show people in Haiti “drinking water so dirty we wouldn’t even step in”. I thought about the four bottles of drinking water I have in my home on a shelf, and how I don’t like drinking water from the tap, although I know our city’s water is completely safe to drink. Can you imagine drinking water you couldn’t see through?

Want to help? I know some of us find giving $30 — the amount MSF is asking each donor to give — a bit steep when money is already tight. But like the story of “Stone Soup”, every contribution to the bigger pot, no matter how small, feeds the people, and I have a Stone Soup situation for you. Many of you know I’m about to attend MacWorld Expo 2011 in San Francisco January 26 – Jan. 29, 2011. After that, the following weekend begins the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration. I’m asking my readers who know someone in SF or in Seattle to approach their after-party connections, business owners, and venues to add a performance of bellydance by Imei at the usual price point, and I’ll donate 100% of the tips collected to Doctors Without Borders to help with relief efforts in Haiti.

I need your help because I would rather link to a well-publicized event that expects a good turn-out than to try to create from scratch an additional event in an already busy season. In turn, I can use my networks to bring attention to the hosting event and venue. I’m sure Doctors Without Borders never thought a belly dancer would use her talents to raise money for their cause! Yet, from the perspective of the organization, I think you would agree: why not?

The collected amount at the end of February 2011 from all participating events will be posted here with a copy of the donor sheet, so you can be assured that your part in helping me find a gig for this purpose is credited to those involved, and all monies are accounted for.

Please send your ideas and my contact information [email protected] to your prospective network, and let’s see if together we can create a gig to raise money for Doctors Without borders in both San Francisco and Seattle (and beyond!).

Posted in: belly, belly dance, dance, entertainment

Tagged with: belly dance, bellydance, charity, cholera epidemic, doctors without borders, gig, Haiti, help, msf