In a world where the news cycle is constantly changing, tragedies eclipse one another and human suffering becomes so commonplace it’s not only easy; it’s sometimes necessary for us to turn a blind eye. However, this is not the case for some young Memphians whose Global Call to Action Project, “Haitian Sensation”, was brought to fruition last Saturday night at the Bridges Center.
“Haitian Sensation” is a project developed by students at White Station High School. The program’s aim was to raise funds for Haiti Medical Missions of Memphis (HMMoM). A variety of local young artists performed including rappers, rock bands, soloists, poets, dancers and performance artists. During the show, donations were collected and at the end of the free event, more than $500 had been collected for HMMoM.
I was lucky enough to attend “Haitian Sensation.” So many talented individuals--many of them from local high schools--came together for this Memphis-based charity. The students at White Station High School chose to support HMMoM with their project without a request from the charity. I hope the students and performers at “Haitian Sensation” realize the far-reaching, positive impact they have made. As a volunteer with HMMoM, I do.
HMMoM staffs and supplies a medical clinic outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti where medical and dental care and physical and occupational therapy are provided to patients free of cost. During “Haitian Sensation,” many of the performers expressed understanding of the catastrophic effects of the 2010 earthquake and Haiti’s ongoing struggle to recover. Since the earthquake, the cost of running HMMoM’s clinic have increased dramatically as the clinic was one of only a few medical facilities to survive the devastation.
Based on what we all read in the newspaper and watch on the television, one might reach the conclusion that Memphis youths are too busy getting pregnant, joining gangs and dragging down TCAP scores to care about anything. I would like to thank everyone involved with “Haitian Sensation.” Not only did these young Memphians help bring hope to Haiti; they gave me hope for Memphis’ future.
