After the Aftermath

The Hoos for Haiti website has served as a hub for Wahoos and Charlottesville residents alike to keep abreast of the opportunities to help the cause and spread awareness. The first benchmark has been set at $100,000 by February 14, and while they’ve seen great success so far, the work has only just begun. By giving 100% of donations collected straight to Partners in Health, the American Red Cross, UNICEF, and GHESKIO, Hoos for Haiti is empowering those most capable in this recovery stage. After that, Hoos for Haiti, as their site explains, “will help NGOs focusing on construction and reconstruction of necessary infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, homes and public administrations.”

Though they may appear to be simply transferring funds in this phase of the operation, the student leaders of Hoos for Haiti are serving a greater goal by organizing locally, helping to unite individual efforts of the community, and creating a visible support system for those impacted by the disaster.
“We’ve been directly affected by the Earthquake, we’ve lost a friend in the tragedy, and the Haitian community is quite important at U.Va.” states fourth year student-leader Nicolas Stable. “Additionally, I think it’s part of the U.Va. culture, the Thomas Jefferson values that have been passed on through the generations about bringing people together, the community as a whole, and about self-governance as well, to come and speak up for the unity of the University,” adds Stable.

Along with the ethical comes the practical, and the efficiency and effectiveness with which Hoos for Haiti has been able to collaborate with all community efforts is undeniable. Hoos for Haiti has been able to make great strides so far, but the need remains constant.

You have the ability to help. Immensely. The student leaders on behalf of Hoos for Haiti request further aid from local businesses and students alike. While money is always welcome, your time is just as valuable. Listed here are some of the many upcoming events and opportunities for you to volunteer, to learn, and to give everything that you have to offer to those who need you most.

Additional details to the events available at the Hoos for Haiti website (http://uvahaiti.wordpress.com/2010/) and U.Va. Haiti Working Group Dialogue Series page (http://uvahwg.wordpress.com/haiti-dialogue-series/)

February 5: ‘Global South’ lecture series
2:00-3:30pm Monroe 130: “The Aftershocks of History in Haiti”
4:30 – 5:30pm Brooks Hall 210 Roundtable Discussion

February 6: Yoga for Partners in Health
O-Hill Forum, Suggested donation $20
3-4:15pm All Levels Yoga led by Katie Tully
4:15-4:45pm Meditation and Reflection
Music, Movement, and Snacks until 5:30pm

February 6: Amos Lee at The Jefferson
7:00pm: All proceeds go to Partners in Health

Feb 15 - 18: Haitian Awareness Week
Organized with the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) and Yele Foundation at UVA.

February 15: Teach-in: Haiti’s Earthquake: Who’s to blame? Who’s responsible?

February 16: Round table: Haitian Identity: combating stereotypes

February 17: Film Screening: ‘The Price of Sugar’ and a Debate on Dominican-Haitian Relations

March 16: Roundtable discussion on Haitian spirituality and diversity of religion

March 25: Haitian Cultural and Intellectual Currents: Multimedia Art Exhibit
April One Day Conference: Disaster, Development, and Debt