Danticat gave a few readings from her novels, some of which included “Brother, I’m Dying,” “The Dew Breaker,” “The Farming of Bones,” “Krik? Krak!: Stories,” and “Breath, Eyes, Memory.”

She discussed the importance of Haitian folktales and culutre iand related them to her writing. The folktale about the Angel of Death walking with God highlighted the fact that the Angel of Death will take everyone; unlike God who “plays favorites” and is selective when choosing who he takes to Heaven.

After tragedies in Danticat’s culture, the people revert to the old folktales to find comfort and solace.

Danticat said that in the earthquake, 300,000 stories vanished in a day. Oral tradition is still a large part of the Haitian culture, and many stories will go untold.

After her return to Haiti, she said that writing about the experience is something which will take time and she does not want to unleash such raw emotion after such a short period of time.

One folk tale she told was about a daughter whose father had passed away. The daughter was distraught and refused to have a wake for him. An edlerly woman tried to convince her otherwise and told the girl that their grief cannot consume them. The girl asked the woman to go to the Land of the Ancestors and bring back her father, for that will make her truly happy. The woman found the father, who gave her his false teeth to take back to his daughter, as proof, the elderly woman returned to the daughter and explained that her father has a new home and needed her to be courageous.

The daughter realized the wake needed to take place in order to celebrate life, even if her father did not receive a proper burial. This story exemplifies the Haitian people.

Danticat finished her lecture by stating, “It is not our way to let our grief silence us.”

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Many students came out to take part in the event, which was in Lehr Hall in the Gordinier building. Hazel I. Jackson was the first African-American professor at Millersville University and the first African-African female teacher in the Lancaster school district. Her accomplishments led to the founding of the Hazel I. Jackson Scholarship at Millersville University. This year’s recipient was Romaine Thrower, a sophomore, who is majoring in Education.

“A woman is who she is and not what others want her to be,” Thrower recited, as she introduced the evening’s speaker Ewidge Danticat. Danticat was born in Haiti in 1969 and was raised by her aunt after her parents left for the United States when she was four years old. She was later reunited with them when she was 12 years old in the United States.

Two years later, she published her first two articles. Several of her works have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list. Her works also include documentaries and short stories. Danticat has won an abundance of awards and accolades for her work, and she is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She calls herself an immigrant and a writer, which is a modest title given her many accomplishments.

Danticat greeted the audience with a Haitian saying in her native language. She opened with a folk tale about the importance of understanding. Many of the folk tales she recited were life lessons for the audience. Haiti has a culture that is rich with the art of storytelling. These folktales hold morals and metaphors, while some are just designed for entertainment. Danticat exhibited that in her presentation and each story exuded the beauty of her homeland, and its people.

Danticat lost several family members and also her home. She returned to Haiti 23 days after the earthquake hit. “Everything is gone and if felt as though everything had shifted under your feet. Everything shook but the trees,” Danticat said. In Haiti natural disasters usually have nicknames. There is no native name for earthquakes, and Danticat said that the lack of a name made people uncomfortable. It reinforces the uncertainty of everyday life, and how every waking moment should not be taken for granted.

An audience member asked Danticat how long she thought it would take to rebuild Haiti and she replied, “That’s the 14 billion dollar question.” She discussed many details about plans for the rebuilding of Haiti. She was mostly concerned with the human reconstruction of the devastated nation. She also spoke of the will of Haitian people, and how they tend to be very optimistic in the face of tragedy. She went on to say that it can get worse now that hurricane season is approaching. The story of her people is an encouraging one, because despite all their hardships they are resilient and have unbending love and loyalty for their homeland.

“Haiti is slippery ground,” Danticat said. The infrastructure of her country had always been in fluctuation, but now more than ever, her homeland is in shambles. Yet, no matter how tangled and painful the memories are for her and other Haitians, it will always be home.

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There has been a Haiti Response on the school’s website, the MU Haiti Relief Project, and donation efforts within the residence halls, all of which were made aware to the campus. But the campus does not know if a fundraiser for the Haiti Relief headed entirely by students.

“The History of the World to 1500″ 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. classes, over the course of six weeks, made $1,500 from bake sales and selling Haiti bracelets. The idea of a fundraiser started two months ago.

On the first day of the semester, the professor who thought of this service project idea and presented it to both classes. Instead of a simple fundraiser, the service project was laid out as a competition between the two classes. Whichever class raised the most money would not have to take the midterm exam. The professor suggested that each class pick leaders of the fundraising efforts. The 10 a.m. class chose Mark Costello and Heather Kuhn while the 11 a.m. class had Megan Eline, Jenn Schwartz, and Katie Bursan to lead the efforts.

The fundraiser did not start immediately. In the first month, the leaders discussed plans with their class. Then the leaders planned carefully, and gained permission from the administration. Some were new to leadership and for others it was a normal position to be placed in. Costello said, “It was a pain in the butt going through all the channels to get the permissions to do everything.” Kuhn added, “We had to get permission to sit in the building.” Other than the permissions, Costello found the leadership position a fun and worthwhile experience, “it was quite fun at the same time too. It gave me something to do, work towards” he said.

For Eline, the leadership position came natural. “I tend to take leadership positions and working with my friends Jenn and Katie certainly made it easier,” she said “It helped that I am already involved in campus because I knew how to sign up for tables and the procedures for reserving spaces and selling.” Coincidentally,
both classes used the same methods for their fundraising efforts. They made a sign-up sheet and then their classmates signed up for time slots, whether it was sitting at tables, baking goods, or fundraising on their own. Both leaders also had to get everyone in their class involved, no matter how small or big their participation was. When the planning was complete both classes had the same events planned to raise money: bake sales and selling Haiti bracelets.

“When we began fundraising, we never expected to make as much money as we did. We were hoping for $200 or so, not knowing we would make so much more,” Eline said. The Haiti bracelets sold for $1 each while the bake sales ranged from $.50 to $1 None of the students imagined they could make so much with the
prices so low. “Fifty cents, 75 cents, but in the end, out of three hours, we made 70, 80 bucks,” Kuhn said.
Most of the people who stopped by the tables did not even purchase an item. “It was also the generous people who bought the bake goods and bracelets. Many times people did not even want the item, they only wanted to donate,” Eline said. “Over the past 6 weeks of fundraising, we have all seen how generous people can really be.”

“The prize of not taking the mid- term was what drove most of the class to fundraise, but when we all saw how much money we could really make, the prize seemed to matter less and less. We were all
working together to help the people of Haiti, and that was the real prize,” Kline said.

When the fundraiser ended March 3, the 10 a.m. class made $900 and the 11 a.m. class made $600. Although the 10 a.m. class won the competition, the amount raised altogether stunned both the professor and students. “There weren’t any winners or losers. Everyone wins, so everyone has the option [to take the mid-term exam],” Castello said.

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Continuing to support the Haiti relief was the main focus of the “Rally 4 Haiti Relief Project,” which was held in the SMC-MPR on Feb. 16. Although the turnout was small, it did not lessen the impact of the event. The rally humanized the disaster by showing the Haitian culture.

The event welcomed Candy Hozza, the community development coordinator who presented the video “Frank McKinney’s Extreme Birthday Experience,” which was of her visit to Haiti in 2008, when she participated in the Caring House Foundation Project, building houses with her friend Frank McKinney. “It costs $500 American dollars for a house,” she said.

The video shed a glimpse of the spirited Haitian culture. Men and women were playing music, dancing, and celebrating. To thank the volunteers, the Haitians found instruments and learned the American National Anthem, and performed it.

“One of the things that everyone should know, is that the Haitians are unbelievable people, even when they are in need they tried to give,” Hozza said. She was able to experience the Hispanic tradition of blessing during her visit to a home for orphans and the elderly. Whenever the children left their home, their grandmothers would bless them; the children blessed Hozza and the rest of the volunteers to show their appreciation, “We have a lot in this country, but they have the spirit,” Hozza said.

A panel was held during the event with two faculty members: Audrey Lilley from Volunteer Central, and Hozza, as well as two students, Immanuel Jean Phillipe, and Mackenzie Vernat. Sepideh Yalda, Professor of Meteorology and Interim Director Center of Disaster Relief Research and Education, moderated the discussion.

Each person took turns sharing their story of how they are participating in the Haiti Relief Project. Vernat, only moved from Haiti to America six years ago, shared his story of how the earthquake has affected him, and how he is trying to help his family and native country from the U.S.

“After this happened my mom was crying, and we didn’t know what to do,” he said. His cousin, sister, nieces and nephew were in his Haitian home when the earthquake hit and the house collapsed, which left them with a few injuries and without a home.

“There are so many diseases spreading around Haiti right now because there are dead bodies everywhere,” Vernat said. Continuing to send medical supplies, he believed should be a long term form of support. He also would like to do his part in continuing to raise money.
“I am here doing the best I can to help…we need it right now,” he said. Vernat and Phillipe as well as their brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first black fraternity, have worked together to raise roughly $1600 for the cause.

Phillipe was also born in Haiti, but left when he was three years old. It was difficult for him to talk about the earthquake, because he had lost family members. Phillipe’s family is from Port-au-Prince, located a few blocks from the President’s Palace, which is now destroyed. His grandmother was injured during the earthquake, and his aunt lost her parents.

Phillipe showed his gratitude for all who have helped support the Haiti relief, “Things are changing slowly, people are putting their heads together to help us out, and I appreciate it,” he said. Phillipe would like to see the support continue, “We can collect money, clothes and donations and try to partner with trusted organizations to collect money,” he advised.

Millersville University is working hard to aid the victims; Lilley mentioned during the panel that there is a long list of volunteers wanting to help, “I am really encouraging of students who want to get involved with this program,” Lilley said.

Special acknowledgements went out to The Slip and Score Society, who attended the event, as well as The Visual Communication and Graphic Design II class, instructed by James Pannafino, and Diane Fleishman, Director for the Office of Internships and Civic Engagement Service. Slip and Score sold donated ceramic pots made by current students and alumni during the event. All of the profits went to the Haiti Relief Project. The club raised $425 for the fund.

The students of the Graphic Design II Class designed a 10×10 composition as part of a service learning class. The posters were meant to create awareness for Haiti earthquake relief. The students picked a charity or nonprofit organization a communicated their message through the use of type and image.

Fleishman and the Office of Internships and Civic Engagement have been acting as a central coordinating site, working with student affairs and faculty to coordinate the relief effort. “The need for the Haiti relief was needed before…it is a decade long effort. We do not want students and faculty to forget about it when it is off the news,” Fleishman said.

Donations for the Haiti Relief fund are still being accepted. Visit “Haiti Response” at www.millersville.edu or e-mail Volunteer.Central@millersville.edu for a complete list of items needed. Be on the lookout for donation boxes, which will be shipped directly to Haiti through the United Nations.

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It is easy to think that the devastation in Haiti has no relevance to Millersville students. However, part of being human being, is having compassion and taking action. Now, more then ever.

Students at Millersville have stopped talking and have started doing. Hearts for Haiti is a program put together by the students in Hobbs Hall. They will be making chocolate candy to be sold before Valentine’s Day. All money raised will go to help Salem Pentecostal Haitian Church in New Holland, Pennsylvania.

Matthew Besson is a Millersville student and his parents lead the Haitian church in New Holland. His church plans to collect food donations mostly water, rice, and beans. They also are accepting monetary donations in order to send a trailer full of supplies to the people of Haiti. Most of the aid in Haiti is going to the capital, Port-au-Prince. Salem Pentecostal Haitian Church hopes to reach those on the outskirts, who have not yet received aid.

The church’s congregation has approximately 200 members with one common goal: To see their homeland get back on their feet and remain standing. It is hard to understand the magnitude of the current state of Haiti. The media, even with their pictures of countless death and endless rubble, cannot wrap their heads around Haiti.

The Salem Pentecostal Haitian Church is also teaming with other churches in New Holland to put on a concert to help aid Haiti. The concert will be held February 20, at the New Holland Recreation Center. It will start at 6:30 p.m. with food drop-off boxes and tables to accept donations. All the money raised will be donated to Haiti.

Should it be this easy to get caught up in college activities while families are being torn apart and death is occurring every day on a large scale? “We may feel broke, but we have so much more then they will ever have. Can we sit by and watch them suffer,” Besson than said.

So how can students help? Look around campus for drop off boxes within the dorms to help aid Haiti. For someone’s birthday, make a donation to help Haiti in their name. Purchase candy from Hearts for Haiti (at the table or on sale in the office at Hobbs Hall) or make a donation. Make food donations or monetary donations to the Salem Pentecostal Haitian Church. Help bring hope to Haiti.

Donations to the church can be stored in the Rec Room at Hobbs Hall. Donations in the form of personal checks should be made payable to the Salem Pentecostal Haitian Church (the church can also be contacted at 717-351-0367 or can be visited at 153 Tabor Road New Holland PA, 17557). For more information on the event, the New Holland Recreation Center can be contacted at 717-354-4747)

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Last week, “The Reflect and Connect Series” discussed charity, what that means for Haiti, and for those who are serving. 

     Dr. Greg Park of Millersville University’s Communication Department led the discussion, which focused on Maya Angelou’s piece, “The Sweetness of Charity.” Angelou describes her view of charity, and what it means. The poet’s piece was used as the discussion’s foundation.

     Today, charity has become big business. The difference between charity and philanthropy has become blurred.

Charity is doing something without expecting anything in return, while philanthropy is the business of giving money.

However, charity is starting to become more about business and money, more than helping those in need.

     Even in the midst of this tragedy in Haiti, we are still skeptical of charity. We question the motives of others, and ourselves. Is our giving guilt-driven? Or business based? Are we doing it to make ourselves feel better? Or do we believe it will bring us good karma? Or maybe it is mission based, or requirement-based charity. What ever the reason may be for our giving, Angelou gives an inspiring, and humble definition of charity, “Charity is kind envieth not, vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up.”

     Those who were involved in the discussion spoke of compassion and action.

Instead of feeling guilty for not giving in the past, get out of your comfort zone.

Instead of feeling for individuals in need, feel with them.

Get out there, and research organizations that you care about.

Howard Jones, a discussion participant said, “Think about yourself, and how you can benefit someone in need, think about others in the long term. Connect with your professors, connect with the different opportunities this University has to offer, and learn from those around you. Build relationships in your cities, and change someone else’s life by getting out there and helping in anyway you can, big or small.”

     This world is broken and battered, and acts of kindness are rare.

Even in the midst of disaster, acts of kindness and giving should not be criticized, because kindness is charity, according to Maya Angelou’s powerful piece.

     The Reflect & Connect Series is a series of gatherings where community members, both from the Millersville University, as well as the larger community, read short pieces of literature on service, reflect on civic engagement, and connect with the community. This is a year-long series, and features four meetings each semester, the second Wednesday evening of each month from 5-6:30 p.m.

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Biology professor Dr. James Cosentino has developed a plan of action that is already well on its way. This two phase plan involves the help of Cosentino’s project “Books for International Development,” which receives funding from the UN. This funding allows us to store and ship supplies collected for Haiti.

Phase one requires collecting medical supplies from Lancaster Regional Hospital and other local clinics. Pallets of supplies are waiting to be shipped.

Phase two will rely on the generosity of the MU community. A 20’ x 8’ x 8’ transportable storage unit, made by PODS (Portable on Demand Storage), will be located in front of the MPR in the SMC, along with various other-drop off boxes in the dorm halls and throughout campus. Donations of warm weather and summer clothing, flip-flops, non-perishables, bottled water, tooth brushes and paste, and other essentials are greatly needed. Please see the MU website for a list of all items.

Along with donation drop-offs, MU will be holding a campus-wide rally to raise awareness.

This will focus on the Haitian culture and the effects of the earthquake.

The event will be held on Tuesday, February 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the SMC MPR. More information on this can be found at http://www.millersville.edu/ices/ under the Volunteer Central tab.

The Pennsylvania State System for Higher Education (PASSHE) is also in support of the Haiti relief efforts. In coordination with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), PASSHE will be collecting funds at the men’s and women’s basketball games between January 27 and February 3. These will be donated to the American Red Cross. PASSHE also lists top rated charities for those who wish to donate more. For more information go to the MU website or visit PASSHE.edu.

To find how you can be of help, contact Volunteer Central at 872-3774, or e-mail them at Volunteer.Central@millersville.edu. You may also email your name, email address, phone number, and if you have a valid driver’s license to Volunteer Central to be added to the on-call volunteer list.

From our community to theirs, any effort that can be made should be made. Any effort made could never be too small or too large and can only be of benefit.

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