The Tripod

On Sunday, Jan. 10, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, one of the poorest and most under-developed countries in the world. The 7.0 magnitude quake, the worst the region has seen in 200 years, reduced much of the capital city, Port-Au-Prince, to rubble.

A preliminary assessment released on Saturday, Jan. 23, estimated the death toll at 150,000. Nations and organizations from around the world rushed aid and rescue teams to the country with President Obama pledging 100 million dollars in relief aid from the United States. Despite the outpouring of money, supplies, and personnel, thousands of people died because of the inability to effectively distribute aid due to the devastation.

In the days immediately following the quake, search and rescue teams attempted to free survivors from the rubble while Port-Au-Prince's collapsed hospital was overwhelmed with those injured.

Numerous local and national organizations are accepting donations. The Red Cross' texting donation drive has passed 25 million dollars in donations. By texting "Haiti" to 90999, people can donate 10 dollars to relief aid; the charge will appear on their next cellular phone bill.

In a campus-wide e-mail issued on Tuesday, Jan. 26, President James F. Jones, Jr. mentioned ways the Trinity community can aid the relief effort. "The offices of Multicultural Affairs, Community Service and Civic Engagement, and Campus Life will be working with all interested students, student organizations, and others in the College community to coordinate our efforts. The administrators and students leading these efforts have chosen two organizations on which they will focus their fundraising efforts in hopes that collectively we can have a bigger impact than we would separately, but any of you should feel free to support any efforts you deem worthy," Jones said.

"The organizations the group has identified are Haitian Ministries of the Diocese of Norwich (www.haitianministries.org) and Partners in Health (www.pih.org)," Jones continued.

Despite the school's outreach, many students have decided to take matters into their own hands and organize fundraising events.

"We have hearts. We see pain and suffering all around the world […] although a lot of us have no connection to Haiti, we have a responsibility to give back and to aid those in need. When we see suffering, we know we need to help through monetary donations and by raising awareness," said Leslie James '11. James was formerly a co-president of IMANI, the Black Student Union.

Also organizing student event fundraisers is Gerald Antoine '11 who was born and raised in Haiti before arriving in the United States in 1997.

This past weekend more than a dozen student organizations, including the Caribbean Student Association (CSA), the Mill, and The Moveable Joints, joined together to create a Hope for Haiti weekend fundraiser. Students could purchase a red and white bracelet with the words "Trinity for Haiti" for five dollars to gain entrance to the weekend's events. The events included a Benefit Banner-Making activity at the Fred Pfeil Community Project (The Fred), a vigil in the Chapel, benefit concert at Vernon Social Center, benefit party in Vernon, and a night of student performances from the Moveable Joints. All proceeds from the weekend will go toward Haitian relief aids.

"Our main goal for the weekend is to raise money for the people in Haiti. We do understand that clothes, medicine and food are important, but at the current time money would be most beneficial to the people in Haiti," Antoine said.

Currently, Haiti's largest concerns include looting, human trafficking, and the spread of disease.

Those interested in donating more are encouraged to contact the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement and the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Trinity's fundraising events will extend into February.

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