UNICEF raises money, supplies for Haiti

This year, the first category 5 hurricane struck Haiti since Hurricane Felix in 2007. This catastrophic hurricane left many families with no clothing, food or homes. To help out the families in need in Haiti, Solon High School’s UNICEF club put together a hot chocolate fundraiser, selling a cup of hot chocolate for one dollar. They also set up painted boxes in the rooms of social studies teachers where students can donate clothing and toiletries. All the funds will go directly to families in need.

UNICEF was formed last year by current junior Alice Wu and senior Divya Batchu, who both proposed the idea for the club because they wanted to help make a difference in people’s lives.

“I wanted to start UNICEF after I went to India,” Batchu said. “I saw people there really struggling to have basic needs like water, food and electricity. I went to an orphanage there and I saw these kids who had a home, but no food to eat. They would fight over the food that they did get, so I thought it would be important to educate the people in Solon because we’re so privileged here.”

After the destruction in Haiti, UNICEF decided they needed to step in and help make a difference. The UNICEF paired up with the International Children Adoption Agency (EACI), and decided to sell hot chocolate due to the winter season approaching. Although the club members were expecting a lot of students to help out and make donations, the amount that purchased the hot chocolate surprised many of them.

“I didn’t expect [that many students] to donate, “ sophomore Sandy Shen said. “I think that when people see how many donations we get, then they may even want to join UNICEF.”

Even though there were so many donations, UNICEF’s ultimate goal was to motivate people to make a difference. AP Psychology teacher Aaron Jeter, who is the advisor for UNICEF, was proud to see how many SHS students donated to the club.

“It’s been very humbling and overwhelming [to see],” he said. “It goes to show that SHS students really want to help towards a great cause.”

Although numerous students have made donations, many parts of Haiti will still suffer. Wu, who said that her passion for helping others is so strong that she plans to major in international relations, wants to remind kids in Solon that they should help others who are in need.

“Why is it fair that we get a quality education, get to go to college, have our basic needs and more, while others in countries like Yemen are starving to death?” Wu said. “Why is it fair that people in Haiti whom have been hurt by an earthquake have to suffer without food, water, shelter, or other basic necessities? There is a lot of injustice and unfairness in this world, and once again, it is the duty of mankind to aid others who are not as fortunate as us so that they may have a better life, or even a life to live. “

UNICEF’s final day of selling hot chocolate will take place Friday December 9, so if you would like to donate you can stop by the bookstore before school to make a donation.