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SAIT students join global effort for Haiti

Images of children crying, a city of rubble, and millions seeking refuge continue to circle TV screens of thousands throughout the globe.

With a disaster that’s left more than 1.5 million people homeless and countless others dead in its wake, Haiti is in the hearts and minds of many. Learning about this desperation, SAIT students have risen to action all over campus, banding together to raise funds, awareness, and hope for Haiti.

Among the first to respond was the Muslim Student Association, springing to action only days after the tragic earthquake. “Our main belief comes down to helping those in need,” said club member and event organizer Shehryar Khan.

Shortly after the quake, the club set up a booth in the Heart building with posters, photos and flyers. Several hours later, they’d raised $389. But the ambition didn’t stop there.

The Interfaith Advising Centre, with the encouragement of those same students, set up a donation box in the meditation room. A further $425 dollars has since been raised, and donations continue to flow.

Khan said it’s important to think of people throughout the world and offer help when possible. “We’re at SAIT for two years, and then we’re gone. Before we leave, we want people to be involved … more than just studying.”

Fellow club member, Zain Arshad, finds it difficult to watch the news since the earthquake. But the gruesome images, along with the knowledge that Haiti’s homelessness now matches one tenth of Canada’s entire population, inspired him to act.

“It’s the small things that add together to make things better,” Arshad said. “In the end it’s not up to us what happens, we can just do the best that we can to try.”

SAIT’s Global Passport Club has set up a smiling piggy bank at in room N711 in the Burns building. Club member Kristine Lopez hopes others want to help as much as she does. “All of us have money for a coffee every day, so why not give to a good cause?

“Everyone wants to help, but sometimes it’s hard because we’re still in a recession. But in Haiti it’s making an impact, and it’s something that we hope to get everyone involved with.”

Her fellow collaborator Trevor Nicholson said Haiti has long needed global support. But with the spotlight now on the country, he feels it’s time to take action. “I watch CNN all the time, and they’re always talking about Haiti. I’ve never really done anything about it before, so I’m hoping to make an impact now, while people are doing something about it.”

Along with the donation jar, the Global Passport club is selling $2 candy grams. Proceeds go to World Vision’s Hearts for Haiti.

For those with a love of gaming, the Odyssey is hosting a Street Fighter tournament on Feb. 6 to donate to the Red Cross. The entrance fee is $10 and it runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Up for grabs is the recently released Wii saga Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. “Hopefully the disaster will bring the nations together and get better social infrastructure,” said former head cook at The Odyssey, Josh Baddeley. “It’s a good cause.”

SAITSA donation jars at its food service outlets netted a total of $1,335. Jocelyn Colaiezzi, who works for the students’ association, said SAITSA will match the funds.
On the frontlines

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