Jewish Academy collects medical supplies for Haiti

CARMEL VALLEY — On Jan. 24, San Diego Jewish Academy launched SDJA Cares: Project Haiti, an event to gather supplies for the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Five days later, the students had raised more than 20 tons of supplies and partnered with international aid organization Latet, which has 13 years of disaster relief experience.
“We have been asking specifically for medical supplies because that is what the Haitian people need most at the moment,” said school representative Jeffery Davis.
Davis estimates the school has collected $80,000 to $100,000 worth of medical supplies. “We have received everything from IV pumps to breathing apparatuses, but are most in need of simple medical supplies like pain relievers, topical antiseptics and surgical gloves.”
On Feb. 1, the school began packing and loading more than 1,000 boxes onto semi-trailers in preparation for delivery to Haiti. Latet, who was in Haiti 36 hours after the earthquake occurred, will then distribute the supplies on the ground to the areas of Haiti most in need.
The most unique aspect of SDJA Cares: Project Haiti is that the school is not collecting monetary donations. The school organized a similar event for Katrina victims five years ago and gained valuable experience in the logistics required for disaster relief.
“Our experience with Katrina and the fact that SDJA’s curriculum teaches Tikkun Olam, which in Hebrew means repairing the world, provided us with a unique opportunity to teach our students outside of the classroom and help the people of Haiti,” Davis said.