Three weeks after the tragic earthquake rocked Haiti on Jan. 12th, students are living up to Boston College’s motto “Men and women for others” by doing what they can on and off campus to raise money and awareness to help the devastated Caribbean nation.
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake caused incomprehensible physical and emotional destruction as Port-Au-Prince was brought to ruins, while scores of families and loved ones were separated from family members who disappeared under the rubble. Presence of Haiti’s earthquake has been evident in the hearts of American citizens, prompting over $380 million worth of donations according to the Associated Press.
The bilateral effects of this earthquake have also awakened a sense of charity among Boston College students, who are playing a large role in collecting donations through clothing and food drives and benefit events that BC has organized in order to raise money for the overwhelmed country. Some of these events have included a mass in St. Ignatius for the people of Haiti, and the BC-FSU basketball game this past Saturday – both of whose funds will be sent to Haiti through Jesuit Relief Services.
On campus, students have taken smaller individual initiatives to help those affected by this tragedy. Sophomore and Haitian American, Reynaldo Sylla, organized a clothing and food drive in his dorm, the proceeds of which will be sent to Haiti through the Yele Foundation. Speaking with Reynaldo, he mentioned that “As a Haitian American, this was a step in the right direction and a good start to a long process of recovery for my homeland.” Sylla organized the event on Wednesday Jan. 20 and needed the donations by that Friday. With less than a day turnaround, he received 15-20 garbage bags full of donations, mainly clothing. When I asked about any future plans, he mentioned, “I do plan on starting another drive probably within the next week or so…I am also currently in the process of starting a Boston College-wide penny/change/money drive in every Residence Hall.”
In order to promote Haiti awareness on campus, Boston College held a Martin Luther King Jr. and Haiti Earthquake Victims Memorial gathering last Monday to acknowledge the human toll and devastation of the nation just an hour south of Miami, FL. Additionally, BC is offering a support group, Lakou Support Forum for Students of Haitian Descent, which meets every Friday starting January 29th in Gasson Hall Room 215.
Undoubtedly, this Caribbean catastrophe has shaken people’s values and awareness on a global scale. The tragedy hit close to home for many people, including a myriad of BC students and employees of Haitian descent. Boston College is doing an excellent job right now in honoring the famous motto “Men and Women for Others” by extending their hearts and prayers to the victims of one of the worst geological tragedies in history.
For more information on upcoming Haiti relief events and gatherings visit www.bc.edu/haitirelief
