In an effort to send help to Haiti, an event was put together by Brigette Le Normand, assistant professor of history, and Charles Pooser, assistant professor of French and international studies, in hopes of bringing IU Southeast together and show support for Haiti.
On Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. a group of students, faculty and staff gathered in University Center, room 127, for an event that was dubbed “Haitian Night.”
Pooser said he wanted to do something on campus to spotlight what is going on in Haiti.
“I wanted our students, faculty and staff to feel a part of it and get involved,” Pooser said.
Walking into the room there was a noticeable amount of decorations, some of which were original Haitian works of art. Even the metal tin that was designated for donations was Haitian artwork that had been made from scraps of metal.
Pooser said he collects music from around the world and brought his Haitian collection to share during the event. Pooser picked different songs to play and, as they played he discussed them, often citing the lyrics in English.
Pooser and Le Normand chose to show the movie “The Agronomist,” a 2005 film by Jonathan Demme. The film is a biography of Jean Dominique, a widely known freedom fighter and spokesperson for those experiencing poverty in Haiti.
Dominique also opened the first free radio station in Haiti that was not controlled by the government. The movie gave viewers a chance to understand the actual happenings in Haiti.
“I’m curious for Haiti,” Frances Fuller, general studies junior, said. “With the catastrophe that happened, I wanted to donate my money, too. They are in desperate need. I’m in the military and if they called me to go to Haiti, I would go.”
Donations were taken at the event, and were sent to Partners in Health — a different organization than the one that had originally been decided upon.
Partners in Health works to provide health care in Haiti.
“I heard that they would be taking donations on campus and wanted to donate my money, as well, to show support for the people in Haiti,” Leen Visser, history junior, said. “It’s a positive thing for us to be raising money.”
Fuller said there was a benefit to making a donation to support Haitian relief.
“As human kind, I think we all need to help each other,” Fuller said. “A good deed goes a long way.”
By ASHLEY AGNEW
Staff Writer
aeagnew@umail.iu.edu
