Students, faculty and community members came together last night to coordinate Hokie United’s response to the tragedy of the earthquake in Haiti, drawing on previous ties between the Virginia Tech community and the Caribbean nation in efforts to offer support and hope for the future of the country.
A 7.0 earthquake devastated Haiti on Jan. 12. Since then, various relief groups have been working to try to provide aid to a nation already riddled by poverty and violence.
Hokies United is a specialized group that only convenes to respond to tragedies. Faculty representative Judi Lynch, director of special initiatives for the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, explained that the group’s mission is to seek ways to give back in the name of the Tech community.
Lynch said that she hoped that the Hokies United efforts could help produce a global awareness of the situation in Haiti.
“After all of that was given to us after April 16th, we have a responsibility to be able to assist when there are opportunities,” she said. “This is our way to give back.”
“If it were up to us,” Lynch said, “Hokies United would never have to come together again.”
However, in light of the recent tragedy, Hokies United threw itself into action.
In a Tuesday night meeting run by SGA president Brandon Carroll, student leaders came together to discuss ways to raise funds, and identify various charities that those funds can be channeled to.
Hokies United has already joined forces with Partners in Health, the most prevalent aid group to be found in Haiti. Established in 1985, they have continued to grow, providing medical and other services to Haitians and connecting with other U.S.-based aid groups.
Paul Farmer, who wrote last year’s freshman common book, founded PIH. He spoke on Tech’s campus in April 2009.
PIH has already coupled with Hokies United and created a Web site through which people can donate money to Haiti. A feature of this Web site allows for the tracking of funds to monitor just how much the Tech nation as a whole is giving to aid efforts in Haiti.
On Tuesday night, representatives from PIH contributed their ideas to different student-run focus groups that dealt with the issues of logistics, broad fundraising, the hosting of special fundraising events, and educating the public on the issues facing Haiti.
PIH has had ongoing projects in Haiti since 1985. They have also been working with Engineers Without Borders, whose Tech chapter president was also present at the meeting.
Tim Moore, a Blacksburg-based Tech graduate, has worked with Engineers Without Borders since his graduation.
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