Skidmore News

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Cover Story

Donation jars are set up around campus, offering "Change for Haiti" [Click to enlarge]

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.

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