The images from the tragic earthquake that struck Haiti and the reports of death and disparity on the news have had their impact on people of varying social economic backgrounds. Since the disaster, many people have done their part to help in different ways. Giving money is just one way people have been helping, but there are many other ways to make a difference. On February 15, the Black Student Nurses Association held a bottled-water drive to help the people of Haiti.

The BSNA is a student organization at the University of Missouri-St. Louis that serves as a support group for African-American nursing students and also stresses the importance of taking responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life. Tamar Hogzes, president of BSNA, expressed deep concern for the people of Haiti. “We came up with the idea of the water drive because as nurses we know the importance of having clean, drinkable water. So many other organizations were taking monetary donations, and we didn’t want too get to caught up in collecting money and making sure it gets into the right hands,” Hogzes said.

Even before the earthquake, water quality in Haiti has been below average. In 2007, a research team composed of personnel from Miami University and a non-profit Haitian health organization analyzed samples from sources that provide water for Haitian households. They provided an estimate of the safety and quality of the water for drinking.

During this time of testing, nearly all samples recorded (about 97%) had measurable quantities of enterococci, Escherichia coli and other bacteria indicating poor water quality. Since the disaster, several major water tanks have been destroyed, making situations worse. Nearly every water source in Haiti has become contaminated with human waste because of the absence of a sewage sanitation system.

Haiti currently has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the western hemisphere due to water sanitation, water-borne gastro-intestinal diseases being the cause of death.

The BSNA hopes to raise Haiti awareness to UM-St Louis students about the need of clean drinking water for the people of Haiti. The bottles of water collected will be donated to the American Red Cross to help with the relief effort. “We know we won’t get enough water to supply everyone, but we plan to collect enough to make a significant difference on those who are affected,” Hogzes said.

The kick-off for this event was held at the open house for the BSNA located on the South Campus. There will be drop boxes located around the campus where UM-St. Louis students, staff and the community can donate bottles of water.

For more information on the water drive, or to find out how you can donate, please call the BSNA office at 314-516-7513.