Haiti relief efforts inspire the campus

Imagine if New Orleans didn't just have to deal with Katrina, but two more hurricanes and a magnitude seven earthquake. It puts the situation in a little more perspective" said Professor Winston Grady-Willis, director for Intercultural Studies.

Skidmore clubs, faculty and individual students have been organizing Haiti crisis relief efforts for the upcoming weeks and setting long-term goals. "There is a pool of volunteers ready and willing to help… and we are finding a way for everyone to do their part," Elana Hazghia '10 said.

The upsurge in interest has led to initial organizational concerns. Efforts are being made to streamline charitable actions, but individuals disagree as to the effectiveness. Professor James Kennelly, director of International Affairs, admitted that while there are "a lot of different initiatives and tracks that students are going down, we are not walking forward like a well oiled machine."

Steps were taken to organize event planning. An interactive calendar was added to the Student Government Association Web site, where students and faculty can log on and publicize their events. "It really helps when we can at least know what others are doing so there is no duplication of efforts," Grady-Willis said.

A Facebook group, SkidCare Haiti, was also started to organize planning and discussion. "It's a good place to advertise Haiti related events and information, and to communicate what's going on," Hazghia said.

To insure that funds are donated to credible associations, SGA has selected three charities that it encourages people to donate to: Partners in Health, American Red Cross and Fonkoze.

Partners in Health was founded by Dr. Paul Farmer in 1987. "Mountains Beyond Mountains," written by Tracy Kidder, is a biographical work that describes Farmer's life and charitable works in Haiti. The members of the class of 2011 read this work during their First Year Experience program.

Fonkoze is Haiti's largest microcredit organization, founded by the Rev. Joseph Philippe. Philippe is a community organizer from Fondwa, a rural village in Haiti. Phillipe will be on campus on Friday, Feb. 5. He will attend the SGA garage sale from 3-4 p.m. The garage sale is being held in conjunction with the club fair, on the first floor of Case Center. The garage sale continues until 5 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Haiti.

Several relief events have already taken place. A general interest meeting was held on Jan. 25. Those who attended addressed the efforts taking place, the goals on which the college should focus, and the plans the college has for the future. Richard Chrisman, director of Religious and Spiritual Life, estimated that 25-to-30 people attended the meeting and there was a "good mix of students, staff and faculty."

Chrisman emphasized the importance of being in spiritual solidarity with Haiti. "To just observe the moment is very important. It makes the whole impossible thing a little more real. It is so horrible that you suddenly become inert. Prayer activates the soul," he said.

Chrisman plans on eventually designating one hour per week in the chapel for students to informally meditate and pray. The theme for the hour will be "Pray for Haiti, Pray for the World."

On Feb. 1 a Teach-In was held in the Spa. Faculty gave informal speeches on Haitian culture and history. Almost all of the seats in the Spa were filled. In addition to other faculty members, Professor Aldo Vacs of the Government Department spoke about Haiti's historical relationship with the United States. Professor Lisa Aronson of the Art History Department spoke about Haitian visual culture. Kennelly expressed a hope that the Teach-In will be "the first in a number of lectures, panels and visitors."

Professor Jordana Dym, director of Latin American Studies, recalled, "A student said to me 'I care, but it didn't really affect my daily life.' Our day to day life is the same, so how do we retain the sense of urgency?" By trying to educate about Haiti, instead of focusing solely on fundraising, faculty hope to keep Haiti in the forefront of students' minds. In keeping with these efforts, faculty dedicated five minutes of their class time on Feb. 2 to discuss Haiti. If students wish to learn more about Haiti, a book display is presently available in the library.

Dym expressed the difficulties involved in maintaining an educational stance on Haiti. "There has been a debate in the last two weeks about whether or not you can teach Haiti as part of Latin American history. It has always been important to my curriculum. For me, it's a surprising question…. Sometimes we need to ask what's going on first in order to help" she said.

On-going charity efforts are taking place. Donation jars were dispersed throughout campus, including in Burgess Café. Clubs that wish to collect donations may pick up donation jars from the SGA office or from Michelle Hubbs, director of Community Service Programs. The collected money will go to a general SGA donation fund, focused on the three selected charities. If they wish, clubs may fund a different charity.

A brochure is also circulating that highlights five things to know about Haiti, five ways you can help and five on campus resources. The brochure will be distributed in the near future and made available in the SGA office.

There are several charity events taking place in the near future. Harmony for Haiti will be held on Feb. 11. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission. The starting time was changed from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. The concert will be the first student led performance held in the new Zankel Music Center. Campus a capella groups, student bands and student-faculty bands will perform. "It's going to be huge, enormous," Hazghia said.

Larger scale goals were also suggested for the more distant future. A spring break service trip to Haiti is not presently possible, but is being considered for the future. Also being considered is a telegram expressing condolences, a Haitian food day fundraiser in the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, a 5K run and a letter writing campaign.