Students donating to Haiti
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
Strathmore High School students have been emptying out their pockets for Haiti relief efforts this past week to try and do their part for a country that is suffering.
Magalie Knopf, a grade 12 student who was adopted from Haiti, and school counselor Karren Harris, who adopted son Luc, 9, also from Haiti, started collecting money after seeing the destruction in the country.
“To know that I have family and friends that are still in Haiti and amidst everything going on, it feels like I can’t sit around and do nothing, I have to help my country,” said Knopf.
On Jan. 12, Haiti was struck by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 close to the capital of Port-au-Prince.
The country has been left in ruins with people having trouble accessing basic needs such as food and water.
Aid from around the world has descended on Haiti since the tragedy in an attempt to help the country re-build.
Knopf said it’s been really hard for her since the earthquake. For the first couple days Knopf said she couldn’t look at an image without wanting to burst out in tears.
“It makes me feel really bad, but at the same time it’s getting people aware of what’s going on in Haiti and I think the world can help make it better.”
Harris said she has stopped watching all the coverage because it is too heartbreaking.
“It’s very sad because you start to think what more can these people endure. They’re just wonderful people and you feel like they’ve been kicked again,” said Harris.
The two paired together and put a bucket out to start collecting donations Jan. 15 with the help of Luc. The response was so overwhelming they continued Jan. 18.
“I was absolutely thrilled. I was so surprised. I couldn’t believe it.” Knopf said.
Harris expects that by the time all donations are collected from students, staff and student groups, approximately $3,000 will be raised.
“A kid emptied his pockets today and said ‘Ms. Harris, I only have 20 cents,’ and I said ‘20 cents buys people rice. Don’t ever apologize for that. Whatever you can give helps.’”
They haven’t decided where the money will be going, but expect to donate it to a number of groups including the Red Cross, the orphanage God’s Littlest Angels where Luc is from and Dr. Emmauel Mareus, who is a friend of Harris’ and someone Knopf has worked with in Haiti.
Dr. Mareus works for Missionary Flights International and was in the northern part of Haiti when the earthquake hit, but traveled down to Port-au-Prince and has a goal to help 700 to 800 people they found in a slum.
“What we want to do though is try and capitalize on the fact the government will match the grant,” said Harris.
amy@strathmoretimes.com