Collegiate Times

Members of Hens for Haiti raised money this weekend at the International Street Fair

Following the lunch, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. there will be a Barefoot Soccer Event, where students and community members will be able to play pick-up barefoot soccer games. The games will be held on the Turf practice fields across from Lane Stadium, and participants are asked to bring both a dark and light shirt to make teams.

The games, which will be organized mostly by Tech’s Haitian students, were an idea that came about just by asking the students what they would be doing in Haiti.

“In planning, we asked the Haitian students on the advisory committee what games they’d be playing at home with their friends, and they said they all play soccer, just without shoes,” Gambrel said.

Following the events, there will be a showcase of student projects in Haiti in the Burruss Hall Lobby area, leading into the Ambassador’s speech at 7 p.m. Following the speech there will be a question and answer period with Joseph, followed by student presentations and performances.

“The tribute event will be an opportunity to hear from the ambassador and also showcase different student and faculty perspectives on Haiti,” said curriculum and instruction doctorate student and opinions writer for The Collegiate Times, Ray Plaza. Plaza, who has been heavily involved with the planning of Thursday’s events, is most looking forward to Joseph’s speech.

“It will be an opportunity to give a broader insight into the whole Haitian culture,” Plaza said.

According to its organizers, the aim of Thursday’s series of events is to bring the Tech community together to learn more about Haitian culture while continuing to raise support for the country. One day before the anniversary of April 16th, Gambrel feels that Tech has been especially supportive of relief efforts in Haiti because of the shared feeling of compassion after the Blacksburg tragedy.  

“We’ve had tragedy in the past and have seen others come together to help us in our time of need,” Gambrel said. “I think Hokies have a lot to contribute because we know how important it is to rise up as a community and help each other heal after suffering a great loss.”

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A version of this article appeared in the Apr 15 issue of the Collegiate Times.