School News

Pace students raise funds and awareness for earthquake victims

Thursday, February 11, 2010
Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

MIAMI- Embodying Jesus’ message of love, peace and unity, Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami utilized Catholic Schools’ Week to raise awareness, relief and aid for the people in Haiti.

During the week of January 31, Pace High School's walls no longer only sported their usual red and yellow, but also flags of blue, red, yellow, and white - the colors of Haiti.

"Students showed much compassion and support throughout the entire week," said Andrés Novela, director of campus ministry and coordinator of Catholic School Week events.

It was the first change the school underwent that week in a campaign to promote relief efforts. In the following days, Pace hosted several events in support of the earthquake-stricken country including a prayer service, skits on social awareness, a field day called SpartaFest, and Unity Day, a day of solidarity in which students and faculty members worked with no light or air conditioning and ate a simple meal of rice and beans in an attempt to broaden their understanding of what it's like everyday for Pace’s sister schools in Haiti.

By the end of the week, Pace had raised thousands of dollars. Through Pace's partnership with Amor en Acción, the Catholic lay missionary group of the Archdiocese of Miami, over half the proceeds were donated to help the Haitian people.

"There is much to be done. So many are in need, and the need will be there long after the reporters have gone," said Armando Mendive, history teacher at the school.

Several projects are planned with the sole purpose of changing life in Haiti for the better. Among them a letter writing campaign is being prepared asking the U.S. government to commission the Army Corps of Engineers to rebuild the wharfs all around the coast of Haiti rather than simply the capital.

Pace has also planned a collection of money to invest in the production of fuel briquettes. Natural gas in Haiti is not subsidized, and obtaining it is a near impossible task. As a result, Haiti has undergone a massive degree of deforestation as its people have become desperate for the simplest items, such as fuel for cooking. The briquettes are designed to be a long-term, low-cost substitute for charcoal.