Alpha returns from a humanitarian mission to Haiti

Along with the General President Herman Skip Mason, Jr., other members of the delegation included: Joseph Gambrell, M.D.; Ronald Peters, DrPH., associate professor, University of Texas Health Science Center and School of Public Health; Ricardo R. Jefferson, international consultant and attorney; U. Grant Baldwin, Jr., mental health social worker; Samuel Karl Darguin, partnership specialist, U.S Census Bureau; Jean McGianni Celestin, business development manager, writer and activist; Jean Guy Celestin, student, Haitian consultant; Ferrel Bonner, cyber-security practitioner and information-security officer; Ralph Thomas, student, Stony Brook University; Fedly Bonneau, Haitian consultant; and Bryan J. A. Kelly, director of communications for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Earlier this month, the fraternity sent a team to Haiti, on a humanitarian mission to provide assistance to families of their Alpha members. The delegation of Alpha men also assessed the situation and evaluated the need for long-term assistance and support for the Haitian people.

General President Herman Skip Mason, Jr., led this fact-finding mission. He was joined by several members of the fraternity who are practitioners in the health and medical fields. This team of brothers augmented the fraternity members who were already in Port-Au-Prince working with the U.S. military and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

We have been to Haiti, to see if Alpha could make a difference, said Mason. And now I know without a doubt, that Alpha can do great work with and for the Haitian people.
Specifically during the mission, from February 1 through 5, brothers explored ways to continue working in Haiti--including providing future medical support and participating in the rebuilding of the infrastructure.

Alphas main assignment there was to locate and provide assistance to families of Alpha members affected by the earthquake. Brothers also toured the capital city to see firsthand the scope of the damage and assess ways to participate in the rebuilding process, and to speak to members of the Haitian government about the progress of other organizations relief efforts in the country and ways Alpha could be the most helpful.
Upon return from their mission, which included speaking with the minister of culture and
communication, and the minister of the interior, members are developing information for brothers so they will have a better understanding of how Alpha can be of real help to those in need in Haiti.

While raising more than $25,000 for its Haiti disaster relief effort, the fraternity is also exploring plans to adopt a school in Haiti. The organization sees this as a great opportunity for the first black intercollegiate fraternity to stand in solidarity with the first independent black republic. Haiti will continue to need assistance after the aid workers have left and Alpha promises to position itself in such a way to help Haiti in the short term and in the years to come.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Historically Black fraternity
• Haiti
• Herman Skip Mason
• Fraternity doing good
• Helping our fellow man

[omegatank01]

a great experience. I wish more people could get that experience.

[IversonG]

To those who say Greek Life is ignorant and pointless, I ask, what have you done to help somebody lately? 06!

[cwpaul]

This is why I became an Alpha!

[Georgey2007]

Excellent job Brothers! Servants of ALL!!!