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 GSU students raised $179.46 in cash and 100 articles of clothing for the benefit of Burkina Faso during a concert for Hunger and Homeless week.
Burkina Fasians are the third largest group of international students represented on campus, according to Ron Jones, the international student recruitment manager with the office of admissions. He said that recent flooding in Burkina Faso has displaced more than 150,000 Burkina Fasians, and that at least 10 people have died.
Jones explained that following news of the flooding, about six students from Burkina Faso studying at GSU came to him to share their concern.
Jones said he put together a team of faculty, staff and students to try to come up with ways that they could do something helpful for the suffering country.
The students thought the best approach to getting GSU students to donate would be through a clothing drive.
Jones said the line of thinking was that college kids do not have money to spare, but maybe they have a shirt or two of which they are no longer fond.
Jones and the Burkina Faso Relief team also asked student organizations to make donations.
Jones said the following five student clubs donated $30 each to the Burkina Faso relief effort: the Biology Club, Delta Sigma Tau, Tau Sigma, the International Club and the International Ambassadors club.
The goal for clothing collection was 500 pounds. The total collected was more than 1,200 pounds.
The team held Burkina Faso Day, in which students dressed in traditional attire and played authentic African music.
They also joined in Hunger and Homelessness Week by collecting d at the concert held at the end of that week.
Heather Jo Harralson, a graduate assistant with the office of student leadership and civic engagement said, “The turnout for the relief effort was a great success.”
The monetary proceeds that the group received to send to Burkina Faso totaled more than $500.
This process has been a good one for all involved. Harralson said, “I think that it allows us a time to reflect and realize that although we may be going through tough times in our country, things could always be worse. I think that it also allows a time for our GSU family to come together for a common good. It helps us to develop a sense of pride in who we are as an institution and what we can do to make our mark on this world.”
While clothing and canned food donations can no longer be accepted for this relief effort, Jones said they still welcome monetary gifts.
Checks should be made payable to the International Club and all contributions should be sent to Ron Jones, who can be contacted at (912) 478-5836.
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