To commemorate the estimated 200,000 lives lost in the recent Haiti earthquakes, more than 150 students, faculty and staff attended a candlelight vigil in the Nyumburu Cultural Center yesterday, where attendees were invited to speak out on behalf of ongoing relief efforts.
The vigil was the first event on the campus organized to send aid to the victims of the Haitian earthquake. To raise money, each guest was asked to pay an entrance fee of $5 and all the proceeds went directly to Doctors Without Borders — an international humanitarian organization through which doctors and nurses travel to countries in need and offer medical services.
Students at the event recounted what happened in the country after a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12.
“Two hundred thousand people died in the earthquake, 194,000 people have been injured, 3 million patients were affected or displaced, but I have another number: One. One University of Maryland Terrapin community coming together at a humble event such as these raise money for those in dire need,” Caribbean Student Association President Getonia Vincent said.
“It’s important to come out here and donate for everything that’s happened to Haiti, every little bit helps.” said Osi Osman, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., a co-sponsor of the event.
Gerald Fils, a founder of the Black Professional Network, said he has raised about $150,000 for Haiti so far through individual fundraising. At the event, he encouraged students in particular to get involved.
“The reason that I wanted to speak with you today is because I feel that students nowadays are always the avant-garde of any society.” Fils said.
After speeches, guests were treated to a pot-luck style dinner provided by the sponsoring organizations.
When they were finished with their food, the guests were invited to light candles for the earthquakes’ victims. There were 100 candles in all — each candle represented 2,000 of the lives that were lost.
While guests were lighting the candles, a university a capella group sang for the victims of the Haitian earthquake.
Students who attended yesterday’s vigil said the event was both functional and spiritual.
“A lot of people told me that the lighting of the candles really touched them because when you actually see each candle and each candle is 2,000 people, it’s a visual and it really touches you,” said Vincent, a senior kinesiology major. “Why we came together today was to raise awareness and let everyone know what’s going on and a move of solidarity for those in Haiti.”
The event, which was organized by six student organizations, joined the ranks of university-wide efforts to contribute to Haiti relief. University departments from Dining Services to Resident Life have enacted programs like clothing and food donations to assist struggling Haiti. Student Government Association Vice President for Financial Affairs Andrew Steinberg is organizing an effort to raise $20,000 for Haiti relief efforts.
Locally, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Rockville is accepting donations of food, clothes, tools and medical supplies, and a Prince George’s County fire department is going to Haiti to help in rescue and recovery efforts.
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