• Student Diversity Board to begin new program to sponsor Mexican children
By MYRA McGRIFF
Saint Mary's Editor
The newly formed Student Diversity Board (SDB) presented students with a walk through the reality of a starving nation Tuesday, kicking off one of its first major events of the month of March.
Through interactive stations students got a glimpse into the lives of famished people. One station depicted how starving children become malnourished to the point of losing their eyesight and forming other vitamin deficiency diseases. Other stations gave detailed information on the contaminated water third-world nations consume and their lack of resources.
Along with showing the hardships of starving nations, the interactive walk also presented potential solutions to the problem. One of the stations was designated to provide information on groups and organizations students can get involved with to stop the hunger problem.
SDB, working along with the Student Volunteer Advisory Board, hopes to jump start a program to sponsor a child from Guadalupe, Mexico. The Los Hijos y Las Hijas de Santa Maria would eventually pair Saint Mary's students with one of the 60 children involved in the program. Sponsorship includes letter writing and fundraisers, in hopes the children involved will be able to stay in school.
"It provides an exchange for the kids as well as the student and helps get the children through school providing them with food like rice and beans and school supplies. Students need a folder for each class and if they don't have it then they can't go to class," said Sister Linda Kors, director of the Spec Unica Resource and Volunteer Center.
Aside from sponsoring a child, Saint Mary's students have taken a local approach to Hunger Awareness. Students have volunteered to give up their dinner and have the cost of that dinner is donated to a local charity. The hope is that students giving up their meal demonstrate a greater appreciation for what many starving people go through everyday.
"Over 300 people have signed up and the money will go to the Indiana Food Bank," said SDB president Akmaral Omarova.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 21, 2001
