Written by Laura Schep

Only a couple of weeks have passed since the Jan. 12 earthquake took its devastating toll on the citizens of Haiti.

But a number of initiatives, both internationally and locally, have begun to surface in the aftermath. All projects appear to have one unified aim: to extend urgent, immediate help to those who need it the most.

In his most recent update on the University’s response to the disaster in Haiti (posted on the online Campus Bulletin on Jan. 20), President Alastair Summerlee commended university students for their impressive ideas for possible charity fundraisers for relief efforts in Haiti. Summerlee said that the University has decided to financially lend support to two different, reputable charity groups helping in Haiti: Doctors Without Borders and Me to We.

 Doctors Without Borders, an organization that has made immediate medical care possible for many victims of the earthquake, successfully provides lifesaving interventions and emergency surgeries to many injured Haitians. Many of the medical teams are now focusing on patients who require healthcare for preexisting conditions, infections and wounds that had not yet received complete attention. Additionally, medical teams from the organization have helped with obstetric emergencies and provided valuable treatment for machete and gunshot wounds. Doctors Without Borders has also supported local hospitals, and has provided experienced mental health specialists to help with the psychological trauma experienced by many victims following the disaster.

Me to We, the other organization being supported by the University of Guelph, is a reputable humanitarian enterprise founded by the generous humanitarian brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger. The Kielburgers also began the group Free the Children, which coordinates hundreds of youth volunteer trips to developing countries such as Kenya, China, Ecuador, Mexico, Bogani and India, in order provide opportunities for youth to learn from hands-on experience in communities abroad. The mission of Me to We in Haiti includes: providing healthcare for the injured, shipping medical supplies to Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, and supplying local schools with materials, school kits and trained teachers.

The University of Guelph has also begun several more local events to mourn those who passed in the earthquake, and to inspire others to offer their compassion and help.

On Jan. 22, a vigil was held at the University of Guelph’s Branion Plaza to mourn the thousands of lives claimed by the earthquake. Readings took place, as well as group and individual reflective discussions. 

Furthermore, the University of Guelph Central Student Association (CSA) is planning a benefit concert planned for Feb. 7 at the River Run Center, and funds raised from a pub night on Jan. 27 will go to the Canadian Red Cross, an organization that continues to show impressive involvement in Haiti following the disaster.

Gavin Armstrong, the communications commissioner for the CSA, expressed deep sympathy on behalf of our school’s student government.

“The Central Student Associate joins others in the world in mourning the tremendous loss of human life and the valiant efforts to locate those still missing,” said Armstrong. “We will be promoting the fundraising efforts of the university community and encourage everyone to stay engaged on this issue.”

Armstrong was impressed by the enthusiasm amongst University of Guelph students to lend a hand with this issue.

“I greatly appreciate all the emails I’ve been getting from students asking how they can help, and my recommendation for them is to continue monitoring the CSA website for postings of daily events and ways to help,” said Armstrong.

Summerlee concluded his statement to the University with words of encouragement, urging students to become actively involved in helping out with the relief efforts in Haiti, and to show compassion to those who have experienced loss and pain from this horrific disaster.

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