The Sisters of Charity were involved with Haiti long before the earthquakes devastated the country. In Florida, Haiti, the Sisters worked to provide money for the construction of a motherhouse and center for the Sisters of Saint Antoine. The small community in Haiti offers education as well as other services, including safe drinking water to the village.
By Jesse Krehlik
SHU News Editor
The Sisters of Charity were involved with Haiti long before the earthquakes devastated the country. In Florida, Haiti, the Sisters worked to provide money for the construction of a motherhouse and center for the Sisters of Saint Antoine. The small community in Haiti offers education as well as other services, including safe drinking water to the village.
Several students voiced their concerns for the people of Haiti. Sophomore Jessica Orlowski said, “It’s absolutely horrible, and I don’t know why it happened, but we have to do what we can to help. Because I’m a college student, it’s kind of hard to give a lot of money, but there is a box on my floor where we can give clothing and things. I’ll definitely be donating to that box.”
Freshmen, Shelly Rutkowski, agrees with Orlowski: “Even though we are college students, and money is tight, everyone should give a little bit so that they [students] can help out too.”
Already, almost $11,000 has been collected to support the Haitians. Senior seminar students donated money, along with SHU faculty and staff. Donations have also been collected at various sporting events, as well as by the individual teams themselves.
All proceeds will be given to Partners in Progress. According to their website {www.piphaiti.org}, the organization is “promoting and advancing sustainable rural development in Haiti.” With the help of Partners in Progress, the Sisters of Charity have been providing clean drinking water for the Fondwa locals for several years now through a program called the Makaya Water Project.
The possibilities for aid do not end at Seton Hill university. Students who are interested in helping with disaster relief in Haiti have numerous options. After a benefit concert/ telethon was held Fri., Jan. 22, i Tunes released a downloadable album entitled Hope for Haiti Now with each track from the concert available for download and donation. Each track costs $.99, but the entire album is only $7.99.
Local buisnesses have also opened their doors to donations to aid those who are suffering in Haiti as well. The bottom line is that our community has several options to help with aid. Every little bit helps. Sister Lois Sculco, S.C., vice president for Mission and Student Life said, “I am truly inspired by the immediate response of the members of the Seton Hill community to assist those in need in Haiti.”