As the world watches in despair, we who are fortunate enough to have been spared by the tragedy that hit Haiti, can do a lot to help those who have lost their loved ones and everything they have.

As a well-wisher of the United Nations World Food Programme, the largest hunger relief organisation in the world, I am pleading with you to please read about the great work they have been doing in Port-Au-Prince and their urgent needs. WFP’s focus is on providing food to the already hungry hundreds of thousands in the nation and into creating special programs to help the survivors get back on their feet and be able to provide for themselves as the country picks itself up and rebuilds itself (46% of the population was already food-insecure and the country’s hunger index is “alarming” and unfortunately the earthquake made the situation way worse)

Below, is a communiqué that I am bringing to your attention so that you may see what WFP is up to in Haiti and how you can help out the hungry by making a small or large donation which is the only thing most of us can do at this time.

To help the hungry in Haiti, please click here

PORT-AU-PRINCE – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for US$279 million to feed 2 million people and provide logistical support for a 6-month Emergency Operation in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

• In the initial phase of the operation, WFP will provide one-week rations of ready-to-eat food to up to 2 million people who no longer have access to kitchens or cooking facilities;

• After the distribution of the ready-to-eat food rations, WFP will begin general distributions of basic food items such as rice, pulses and cooking oil to 2 million people;

• As soon as possible, WFP will move from general food distributions towards food for work activities that use food as an incentive for people to support reconstruction and rehabilitation         work in areas damaged by the earthquake;

• WFP began food distributions in and around the capital, Port au Prince, in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.  Some 2900 people received high energy biscuits in Port au Prince         on Thursday, and distributions are being scaled up in the coming days;

• WFP has deployed expert logistics and telecommunications teams in support of the coordinated humanitarian response to this disaster;

• WFP has established a logistics hub in neighbouring Dominican Republic and has begun acquiring logistical assets – such as mobile warehouses, trucks, helicopters and a coastal vessel;

• WFP is considering establishing a network of up to 200 kitchens in Port au Prince, with each providing up to 500 meals a day;

• Food assistance will be directed at vulnerable families that have lost their homes, families living in temporary shelters, and child-headed households;

• So far, WFP has received more than US$55 million from donor governments, and more than US$5 million from private companies;

• Government donors include the United States, Luxembourg, Italy, Greece, Australia, Colombia, and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.

To help the hungry in Haiti, please click here

In previous instalments, I discussed how music tours can be both for profit and for promotional purposes. I then went into some details on how I planned on earning money from my DJ bookings to donate to the hunger relief agency that my DJ world tour is supporting.

A world record-setting road trip of this nature will probably and hopefully garner a lot of attention that I plan to leverage to raise awareness about world hunger, how it can be fought and eliminated and how everyone can get involved in ways that have direct impact.

But let me go on record to say that I am not hiding behind my humanitarian heart for getting world attention. This is first and foremost a DJ tour for sheer lifetime dream realization and promotional purposes.

Hunger is a problem that can be solved. It just takes many willing souls to focus and take action. I am committing the next five to ten years of my life on the road to actively get people aware and active. If we don't make it our problem, who will?*

It disgusts me when I see people using charities for their end goals. Like I have told the humanitarian agencies that I will raise funds and awareness for, I am a DJ who is going on a long attention garnering adventure and would like to direct that attention to the wonderful work they’re doing in areas around the world that face many humanitarian crises.

Here is a test I use to determine whether some is for real or if truly they are just leeches.

If they cannot go ahead without the charity, something is very fishy. In my case, I could still organize my world tour, still see the world and still make money from all my DJ fees and other monetization streams. I can attract my own attention and awareness without playing the “look at this very nice guy and what he is doing for starving people around the world” card.

I am sorry if I am rambling but this is for the haters who I suspect will try to question my causes and motivations. Folks, when you are doing something that no one has ever done before, you will get worldwide attention, period.

Instead of sitting at the beach all day and going to my gigs at night, I plan on using some of my days to raise awareness to the agency’s mission.

Moving on

A world DJ tour by car makes people interested because of it’s novelty and adventurous nature. I remember reading a Forbes poll that asked people what they would do if they won the lottery. Almost every responders said that they would travel.

Now add the fact that a traveller is also a DJ and is on a mission to spin in the many clubs and various audiences around the world and things gets interesting. Add the fact that he is doing it by car and you have people, very, very interested. Add the fact that he will be sailing solo and you have one hell of an adventure that is so unique that people, hopefully you , want to follow closely!

I have a new record label project that I am working on. I believe that you can make it big in the music business and still make the world a better place. I like to make money like most human beings and I would rather have more than less but not the point where it becomes an obsession, a master or worse it really ruins my life.

Artists will make their money, the company will generate substantial revenue. And at profit distribution time, the money will go to deserving little-known charities in little-known place who are doing wonderful things but like everything in life, need money to spin better.

In my many years of travelling and speaking to many friends, I have concluded that sometimes small is efficient because it’s at the heart of the matter. But most well-doers are usually useless at making money or attracting attention.

I believe that is because of the way God created us. I believe that everyone has a gift. I am not going to lie, if I was told to do some great humanitarian work by building house and doing some manual labour, I would hate it. Like I tell all my friends who want me to help them with their gardening for example, the reason I live in an apartment is because I don’t want to deal with gardens, snow removal and all that nonsense (in my eyes).

If I have a problem with a  tire, I like to call the CAA, in the US: AAA and not do it with spare hands. Although I better learn to do it fast because I will not be able to reach the CAA in the Sahara desert or the Amazon forest!

My record label will donate all of its after-tax profits to deserving little but impactful organizations around the world. I already have a few in mind and cannot wait to stumble on others during the Big Journey.

Needless to say, artists and our supporters will also have a say at the donation process. After all, their artists contributed their work and the supporters supported it financially so it’s only fair and respectful that they have a say in how their input is spread around.

So, there you have it: the world tour will also raise awareness and support for the hunger relief agency on top of introducing my new record label to the world and hopefully helping my own DJ career along the way

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* Photo: daveblume