Haiti disaster causes outpouring of activism at Seattle University

As Seattle University reflects on the Haiti disaster, the thoughts of many turn to one question:  "How can I help?"


The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti eight days ago continues to produce images of devastation for the world to see. The quake struck the nation's capital, Port-Au-Prince, leveling the city. The death toll is expected to reach at least 50,000, but more than 3 million Haitians have been affected by the disaster.


Campus Ministry is at the center of a number of student-led relief efforts at Seattle U to assist the devastated Caribbean country.


"It's part of our call as humans to come together and help those poor people," said Molly Janicki, sophomore sports and exercise science major. "Our mission at Seattle U is to serve that call as best we can."


An e-mail sent by President Stephen Sundborg, S.J. Wednesday called for prayer and asked for anyone to give whatever they can to help the Haitian people.


The university has offered counseling and psychological services to anyone impacted by the Haiti disaster. Likewise, a special mass was held Thursday in the ecumenical chapel in remembrance of lives lost.


"It wouldn't have mattered if the quake happened in Haiti, South Africa, France or Seattle," said Nick Coffman, ecumenical chapel event coordinator. "What matters is what we can do to help right now."


Donations from that service and from Sunday masses held in the next two weeks will all be given to Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Refugee Services to aid in their emergency work in Haiti.


"It's simply devastating; the images that are coming out are horrific," said Sean Bray, Campus Ministry's social justice minister. "We have to build awareness of Haiti's social economic situation if we hope to move toward restoration."


Bray has been tasked with coordinating Seattle U's efforts to help with the disaster. He received more than 200 e-mails within two days of the earthquake from faculty members and students eager to help.


Most messages asked about donating money to relief efforts or learning more about the tragedy. One e-mail read, "I want to help these people in any way possible. Tell me how I can help."


Bray met with a number of student leaders Wednesday to discuss what the Seattle U community could do to pledge aid. Ideas such as a student concert, a men's basketball halftime show, student-led public discussions and a T-shirt sale were among those proposed.


Much of the concern surrounding the disaster is focused on the country's poor economic state prior to the disaster.


Haiti is considered to be one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere. The country's impoverished state contributed to the magnitude of the disaster. The quake crippled the few water and power lines in the country, making it difficult for humanitarian groups to provide assistance.


President Obama and other countries' leaders have committed troops and millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to Haiti, but the difficulty of navigating the dilapidated roads of the country has slowed the relief effort to a crawl.


"First world countries should step up and help not only with disaster relief, but with the country's poverty level as well," said Roxana Garcia, a Seattle resident who started a Facebook group called ‘In Solidarity with our Haitian Friends.'

Garcia is appealing to several restaurants and establishments around Capitol Hill to assist in gathering monetary donations for relief groups in Haiti. Garcia's Facebook group has gained almost 800 members since last week and is continuing to grow.


Other Seattle U students intended on creating a more personal impact in Haiti, but the school recently revoked travel permissions for mission trips to the Caribbean country.


Derek Rogalsky is one such student whose mission trip has been put on hold indefinitely.


"This is a country where most people cannot read or write," said Rogalsky, senior biochemistry major. "Most don't have access to clean water and are unemployed."

Rogalsky, along with five other students and one faculty member, planned on going to Haiti in March. They have since transitioned to fundraising efforts, working closely with relief groups like the Haitian Project to raise funds.


The struggle in Haiti is an ongoing one. Even the damage left by Hurricane Katrina is still evident as relief groups continue to work in New Orleans. The effects of such a disaster on an already impoverished nation will be seen for years to come.


"It's time to put political agendas and ulterior motives aside," said Kelly Glenn, junior international studies major. "It's time to show we are human."


Fernando may be reached at fsioson@su-spectator.com.