The Youth Response to the Crisis in Haiti

Throughout the last 10 years, the world has witnessed several catastrophic disasters (Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the tsunami in Southeast Asia in 2004, just to name two) - acts of nature so powerful and violent that they’ve left masses homeless and put a crater in the infrastructure of the regions they have ravaged.

Most recently, the media has been overflowing with images and stories coming out of the nation of Haiti, where volunteers and funds from around the world have descended to try to stem the suffering felt by its people.

As of January 19th, our government has committed $135 million CAD to relief efforts in the Caribbean nation – where the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which rocked the capital and surrounding area nine days ago, continues to be felt by the hundreds of thousands displaced and killed when their homes crashed down on top of them. People around the world continue to call, email and even text their donations in to the NGOs (like Oxfam Canada and the Red Cross) that are supplying aid.

And among the contingent of Canadians giving their support are its youth – us. Young Albertans and British Columbians are rallying their schools for donations, contributing steadily to the $40 million mark collected in funds from generous Canadian pockets to date. Youthink heard back from tons of students whose schools are planning fundraisers – of pretty much any variety you can think of – to help out. Open-mike benefits, clothing drives, blanket drives, money drives, concerts, charity dodgeball – you name it, students and their teachers are coming together to make it happen.

At St. Martin de Porres High School in Airdrie, Alberta, students and teachers are planning their “Heroes for Haiti” fundraiser, a sale of pins to raise awareness for a 24-hour famine that’s to take place in February. The fundraising goal is set at $10,000 – a mark which they’ve challenged all Calgary area schools to beat.

Those are just a few examples of the awesome work being done across Western Canada – and the show of leadership isn’t a new concept in our schools. Youth is power, and today more and more of us are striking up a passion for making global change happen.

“We’re the future leaders, voters, and decision-makers,” says Sakshi Sharma, a grade 11 student council leader at Henry Wise Wood School in Calgary. “It’s our job to deal with these crises, and if we don’t care to get involved, all we create is an apathetic and narcissistic society.” she adds.

Take the challenge; combat apathy in your school and get together with a group of friends to plan a fundraiser or event. Every penny counts, and we’re all capable of putting into action something that’ll cause a change.