Argo Online

By Elliott Liebling

On Tuesday, January 12, a natural disaster shocked the world yet again. An estimated 200,000 lives were claimed in the strongest earthquake to occur in Haiti in almost two centuries. Just before 5:00 P.M., the 7.0 magnitude earthquake originated 16 miles west of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, leaving it and surrounding areas in ruin. In addition to the staggering destruction and numerous fatalities left by the earthquake, millions of people were left injured, hungry, and homeless.
Haiti, which occupies the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has been linked with the United States throughout history. Haiti declared its independence from European rule in 1804, second in the western hemisphere only to the United States. Haiti is only 700 miles to the southeast of Florida. Unfortunately, Haiti is also the poorest country in the western hemisphere.
Lacking proper infrastructure, supplies, food, and water, Haiti is in a dire situation following the earthquake. Constantly the victim of deadly hurricanes, the country is often subject to political turmoil, crippling its ability to handle issues of this magnitude. Through text messages to 90999, a two-hour Hope for Haiti telethon, and countless other means, donations to the effort to assist the survivors of this disaster have topped $200 million from individual and corporate donors located in the United States alone.

The Rutgers Prep community has taken its usual stance on things of this nature, organizing a simple yet effective way to assist Haiti. A campus-wide effort called Hands for Haiti allows students and teachers to purchase a paper hand for $1 with all proceeds going to the nonprofit organization, Hands Together. These hands will ultimately be linked throughout the buildings of Rutgers Prep, a visual representation of the school’s commitment to community service.

Helping to coordinate the effort in the Upper School are seniors Hannah Carlisle and Georges Richa. With the survivors of this disaster still in need of food, water, shelter, and medical assistance, Hannah urges students and teachers to contribute, be it through the Hands for Haiti program or another form. Through donations, as well as increased awareness and volunteer work, we as a community can take an important role in assisting our neighboring country in their recovery from this destructive earthquake.