One minute, life is going normally and then the next it can all be taken away quicker than things are built. That is exactly what happened in Haiti last week. This is what all the news networks have been centered around lately. Many people across the world have already donated money and supplies to the country in order to aid recovery efforts.

An earthquake and subsequent aftershocks left an already poor country in devastation. It is reportedly the worst earthquake to hit that area of the world in more than 200 years and is estimated to have killed tens of thousands.

Because many homes and businesses were more or less shacks, the earthqauke caused even more devastation there than it perhaps would have in another location. The country is one of the poorest in the world. If any good has come from this disaster, it is the help and attention Haiti has received from nations all over the globe. The United States government alone donated $100 million, not including donations from individuals and other groups.

I think the help of the whole world is wonderful. So many people coming together to help one place is amazing.

But, something that is just the opposite is all of the scams that are being set up, taking advantage of these great people.

False Web sites have been set up all over to make money from this disaster. These scam artists are also sending out legit looking text messages and e-mails asking for things such as bank account and credit card numbers.

The fact that anyone can essentially steal money from dying and suffering people who have lost everything is just sad. These people hardly had any money in the first place, and now when they need it most, criminals are finding this crisis as an easy way to make a few, or a lot of, bucks. Many have refused to donate to Haiti besides the reason of a multitude of scams.

The popular conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh made it clear he would not donate anything and encouraged his listeners to do the same because citizens already have helped by paying income taxes.

The money the U.S. government donated already has helped, so he said that he did not feel the need to donate more than that. Others take an isolationist view and believe that the United States should concentrate on the war and also on our own country rather than spending money to help someone else.

Even though not everyone feels the need to donate, and some, like me, may not have much money to spare, it is a good idea to help those who are in need. Some day the U.S. may be facing some kind of disaster and will want the support and help of the world just as Haiti is receiving today.

But, if we do not help much now, we may not get that aid in the future. Same goes for each of us individually. If we give help, we will be much more likely to get it when we need it. Many have even expressed help in other more creative ways other than monetary value, such as prayers.

Any form of help is a good way. If you do donate money (even poor college students can donate), be careful not to fall victim to the huge amount of scams out there.