With news that Syrian refugee families are on their way to Nova Scotia, faculty, staff and students at the School of Health and Human Performance (HAHP) are rolling up their sleeves to give the families a healthy start.聽 The School is organizing a Dal-wide drive for household items, clothing and toys on December 10.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a humanitarian crisis unlike anything we鈥檝e seen in years,鈥� says Debbie Martin, assistant professor, who has been talking about the refugee situation in her classes.聽 鈥淲e were thinking of doing something for refugees, just as a School, but then we decided we can step up and make it bigger. These families are coming to Canada and we should welcome them.鈥�
Students are volunteering to help out by collecting and sorting the donations at the Studley Gym, and helping to transfer them to an off-campus storage area arranged by the School鈥檚 Director Fred McGinn.聽 The Dal volunteers will work with Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia to get the donations delivered to Syrian refugee families.
鈥淪tudents are looking for a way to help and this is tangible 鈥� it鈥檚 a direct way to connect with the community and help the refugees who are coming to Nova Scotia,鈥� says HAHP student Zoe Bordeleau-Cass.
Many of the Syrian refugee families who will be arriving in Nova Scotia will have nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.聽 They will need extra clothing (especially winter clothing) cooking utensils, household items, toiletries, school supplies and toys. All donations are appreciated, and can be dropped off at the Studley Gym on Thursday, December 10, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30. p.m.
If you're looking for another way to contribute to the cause, don't miss your chance to donate to the AV俱乐部 Student Refugee Fund. All dollars raised will be matched by the university, and go towards increasing student refugee placements through the World University Service of Canada. .