In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday, students, faculty and staff have been exploring ways that the school community can help. The Pelican Service Organization (PSO) held an open meeting on Friday “to discuss the crisis and to consider ways [to] respond and alleviate the situation,” according to PSO Co-President, senior Alex Judson.
Already, the group is planning several fundraising activities, including a "Hands for Haiti" mural.

French teacher Kate Delacourt, who spent three weeks teaching in Haiti last summer, has had to cancel her plans to return there during March break with several Loomis Chaffee students. She still hopes to return in the summer. Kate taught in a town called Matènwa on the island of La Gonave. While there, she met up with Christine Low ’79, who is a co-founder of the Matènwa Community Learning Center, where Kate taught. While the island was not directly affected by the earthquake, “the biggest issue will be one of finding food and other resources,” said Chris in a recent blo

French teacher Kate Delacourt with a student in Haiti  last summer.

g post. “The already poor infrastructure leading to the island has been shattered.”

Funds raised through the PSO's efforts will be used to help the residents of La Gonave as well as Partners in Health, the Boston-based organization that provides medical care in Haiti, which the PSO has supported in the past. This week, students are planning a "Jeans" Day (where students pay for the privilege of being able to wear jeans to school). Funds raised at the annual Community Service Mardi Gras Dinner on February 24 will also go toward the effort.

“Helping Haiti will be an ongoing effort for the PSO as well as the entire Loomis Chaffee community,” says Alex. “Through collaboration, we plan to truly make a difference in the short and long term."