The Haitian Society hosted a dinner fundraiser on Jan. 27 for the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
The event entailed coming together as a St. John’s community to show support for those in Haiti that are continuing to recover after six years.
Sophomore Tahmir Williams believes the event established an understanding on “why we live to serve.”
Senior Anscia Brown spoke about how inspiring the fundraiser was in encouraging the community to come together to support an amazing cause. Both students enjoyed being able to learn about the organization Ayiti Se Nou, and have a better understanding of what the organization stands for.
The total number of 100 students and faculty that attended helped the organization by donating $250 alone. Not only were donations given, but t-shirts sold in support of guest speaker Kako Bourjolly’s organization, which raised $50.
Bourjolly is a well-known comedian in Haiti, who, as a survivor of the earthquake, felt it was his duty to rebuild and improve his community after the disaster.
Before becoming a comedian, Bourjolly began a small program for neighborhood kids to partake in physical activity. The program was formally known as S.M.I.LE., in reference to Bourjolly’s lively personality that thrived to ensure happiness and laughter throughout Haiti.
Bourjolly created the program after the disaster in 2010; S.M.I.L.E. was only the beginning of his endeavors to improve the community.
He continued to build his program by restoring the community gym and providing recreational sports for the kids. Later, Bourjolly created an organization, Ayiti Se Nou, to assist not only the kids in the community, but families as well. Bourjolly’s future plans for the newly developed organization will focus mainly on the environment, health, culture, sports and entrepreneurship.
His ideas in promoting health would include attending schools to present informational health and providing the community with mobile clinics. In regards to the environment, Bourjolly mentioned building awareness, recycling and creating an environment for social action throughout Haiti.
The Haitian Society has a website that allows the St. John’s community to donate and help raise money for the Haiti earthquake victims, www.givecampus.com/schools/StJohns.
