During the last few weeks, University students have rallied to aid the Haitians devastated by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake outside Port-au-Prince. These students have pledged money, clothing and prayers to the disaster-stricken area. They have done so in a joyous way, attempting not only to honor lives lost but also to celebrate the Haitian culture.
Soon after the earthquake hit, a group of students started a blog, Hoos for Haiti, with the goal of raising $100,000 by Valentine's Day. Although they did not quite hit the goal - the total was upwards of $60,000 raised in the Charlottesville area at the time - the efforts to raise funds continue.
Many different organizations have held events to contribute to the goal. For example, there was an auction at Boylan Heights Feb. 11,. Students there had the chance to buy dates with players on the men's varsity soccer team. The event raised $2,000, and one lucky lady paid $75 for a date with Diego Restrepo, the goalkeeper for the men's soccer team.
Artistic events have been central to many of the fundraising efforts.
"The arts are important because Caribbean people are expressive by nature," said Tashima Lambert, president of the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness. "They use their bodies and gifts to express who they are, their pain, their joy, their strife. Using dance, song, poetry and art helps to reinforce their sense of self."
Lambert, a native of St. Croix, was a good friend of Stephanie Jean-Charles, the University student who lost her life in the earthquake and who was on the executive board of SOCA during her undergraduate years. All proceeds from SOCA's Haiti Awareness Week went to the Jean-Charles family.
Haiti Awareness Week events included a teach-in with professors, a forum with students and a screening of the film Sugar, a documentary about Haitian and Dominican relations concerning the growth and export of sugar. The last two days of the week particularly celebrated the music, art and food of Haiti through a culture night and benefit concert.
Similarly, one of the University's a cappella groups, the Academical Village People, hosted a benefit concert Feb. 20, bringing together AVP, the Hullabahoos and the Virginia Gentlemen to raise money for Haiti. Members from each group gave poignant remarks about Jean-Charles or their own experiences in the country. The three groups sang a beautiful rendition of "Prayer for the Children" together, thus cementing the message of solidarity.
The people of Haiti are struggling to acquire the basic human needs: food, clean water, clothing and shelter. We must never forget the power of music and art to supply hope in the face of great devastation.
To learn of upcoming events in support of Haiti, check out the Hoos for Haiti Web site at www.uvahaiti.wordpress.com.
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