Imagine a world in which your family and friends go hungry for days, even weeks at a time, and it seems like your only chance for survival is to leave your home. For many Somalis, this world is a reality. 45% of Somalia’s population lives on less than one dollar per day. The United Nations (UN) estimates that tens of thousands have died so far due to what many are calling “East Africa’s worst drought for 60 years”. They issued a statement on September 5 that warned that “as many as 750,000 people could die as Somalia’s drought worsens” over the next few months. Upon hearing this, in the true activist spirit that “the Mecca” is famous for, Howard University students knew they needed to do something to help.
The Support Somalia Campaign aims to inform Howard University students about the importance of global issue awareness and to give students an outlet through which to provide aid to their Somali sisters and brothers abroad. To help, BlackBerry has teamed up with popular Howard student clothing label, Our Good Karma (OGK), the Gentlemen of Drew Social Club (GODSC), the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), and other Howard student organizations to get involved in the Support Somalia Campaign.
In an effort to increase donations and supplement the good work the Howard students started, BlackBerry sponsored the Coin Drive on September 11, 2011. The coin drive was done in Howard University residence halls and was a great success. The event even boasted an appearance from TV Personality AJ Calloway (formerly of BET’s 106 & Park). The money raised from the Coin Drive is going to The Somali Relief Fund. Those involved in the planning of this event want to make it clear that the event would not have been possible without the help of Howard University’s philanthropic students. “We appreciate all the support we have been getting for the [Somali Relief Fund] efforts,” commented Patrick Oseni, co-founder of Our Good Karma and BlackBerry Brand Ambassador. Students can get involved in the fight against Somali famine by donating to the United Nations’ Refugee Agency, UNHCR, and looking out for future Support Somalia events on campus.
By Lindsay Buchanan
