NDNU helps Haiti
As the Haitian nation crumbles, NDNU lends a hand
Hanna Martin
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: News
"For two centuries, no major earthquake has been recorded in the Haitian capital. The amount of energy accumulated along the fault runs the risk of an earthquake of 7.2 on the Richter scale... There is no need to panic. But it would be a catastrophe," said Dieuseul Anglade, Director of Haiti's Bureau of Mines and Energy, in Sept. 2008. Almost a year and a half later, on Jan. 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Haiti's capital and the results are nothing less than catastrophic. The quake's epicenter was only about16 miles outside Port-au-Prince, devastating the country's most populated area. Early reports estimated the casualties in the hundreds of thousands, and so far MSNBC news states that the Haitian government has recovered more than 80,000 bodies. More than 250,000 people were injured and it is likely that at least 1 million people have been left homeless. Aftershocks have been rumbling through the capital, undermining rescue attempts and relief efforts, the largest of which was a 5.9 magnitude recorded on January 20, 2010.
Although this disaster seems worlds away, for some the tragedy hits closer to home. A few yearsago Jacque and Tim Little, Assistant Director of Housing and Resident Life and her husband respectively, traveled to Haiti with the organization DOA/BN.
"We wanted to work with an organization that had a mission focused on learning about and celebrating the Haitians and their culture" Jacque Little said.
The founders of DOA/BN, Carla Bluntschli, Ari Nicholas, and Djaloki Jean Luc Dessables, became great friends with the Littles. Bluntschli, Nicholas, and Welele (another friend) came to NDNU two years ago to share their culture. Although they lived 20 minutes from Haiti's capital, luckily all are reported to be in good health. For others who were not so lucky, there is hope. The NDNU community quickly rallied together to provide support.
Director of Dining Services Susan Mamlok came up with the idea for a bake sale fundraiser and teamed up with Jacque Little and other staff members of Campus Life to put her plan into action on January 20, 2010 with the goal of raising $1,000. Although the rain and cold weather moved the bountiful sale inside, the team managed to raise $836.20 in one day, and had gone up to $956 the next day. All proceeds are going to Haiti through Partners in Health, an organization that provides medical and social services to the world's poorest countries. They have set up a special project specifically for victims in Haiti, for more informa- tion visit.
The bake sale collaboration was a huge success with help from Mary Hill, Peggy Koshland-Krane, Patty Fox and all the students, faculty and staff who contributed money and baked goods.
Drew Comeau, a senior at NDNU, gave $20 for a cupcake. Comeau encouraged people wanting to help by saying, "Every little bit counts. You shouldn't get over concerned with helping the entire population, but [think] what you can do to help just a single individual. Any effort is better than no effort, if every one gives a little you end up with a lot."
Another relief effort taking place at NDNU targets a different group. Father Tom Splain held a second collection for Haiti relief during Saturday mass in the chapel. About 140 people from the Belmont area attend the Saturday masses. On Jan. 16, the small but generous group of churchgoers donated $696, which will go to Catholic Relief Services.
The music department converted two upcoming performances into fundraisers for Haiti. The first performance, featuring the Saint Michael Trio and the second, "Piano Fantastique," will be donating all proceeds from the event to Haiti relief efforts. For tickets and information call 650-508-3729 or e-mail.
"The major media will most likely stop covering Haiti in the next few weeks, but the need for aid will continue for a very long time," said Jacque Little.
Campus Life will organize another fundraiser in March, the week after spring break.
Although this disaster seems worlds away, for some the tragedy hits closer to home. A few yearsago Jacque and Tim Little, Assistant Director of Housing and Resident Life and her husband respectively, traveled to Haiti with the organization DOA/BN.
"We wanted to work with an organization that had a mission focused on learning about and celebrating the Haitians and their culture" Jacque Little said.
The founders of DOA/BN, Carla Bluntschli, Ari Nicholas, and Djaloki Jean Luc Dessables, became great friends with the Littles. Bluntschli, Nicholas, and Welele (another friend) came to NDNU two years ago to share their culture. Although they lived 20 minutes from Haiti's capital, luckily all are reported to be in good health. For others who were not so lucky, there is hope. The NDNU community quickly rallied together to provide support.
Director of Dining Services Susan Mamlok came up with the idea for a bake sale fundraiser and teamed up with Jacque Little and other staff members of Campus Life to put her plan into action on January 20, 2010 with the goal of raising $1,000. Although the rain and cold weather moved the bountiful sale inside, the team managed to raise $836.20 in one day, and had gone up to $956 the next day. All proceeds are going to Haiti through Partners in Health, an organization that provides medical and social services to the world's poorest countries. They have set up a special project specifically for victims in Haiti, for more informa- tion visit
The bake sale collaboration was a huge success with help from Mary Hill, Peggy Koshland-Krane, Patty Fox and all the students, faculty and staff who contributed money and baked goods.
Drew Comeau, a senior at NDNU, gave $20 for a cupcake. Comeau encouraged people wanting to help by saying, "Every little bit counts. You shouldn't get over concerned with helping the entire population, but [think] what you can do to help just a single individual. Any effort is better than no effort, if every one gives a little you end up with a lot."
Another relief effort taking place at NDNU targets a different group. Father Tom Splain held a second collection for Haiti relief during Saturday mass in the chapel. About 140 people from the Belmont area attend the Saturday masses. On Jan. 16, the small but generous group of churchgoers donated $696, which will go to Catholic Relief Services.
The music department converted two upcoming performances into fundraisers for Haiti. The first performance, featuring the Saint Michael Trio and the second, "Piano Fantastique," will be donating all proceeds from the event to Haiti relief efforts. For tickets and information call 650-508-3729 or e-mail
"The major media will most likely stop covering Haiti in the next few weeks, but the need for aid will continue for a very long time," said Jacque Little.
Campus Life will organize another fundraiser in March, the week after spring break.
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