CTV News Montreal

Updated: Wed Jan. 27 2010 4:40:10 PM

ctvmontreal.ca

Students at two Montreal schools held special events and fundraisers Wednesday to show their support for Haiti.

At Greaves Adventist Academy in NDG, where many students have close ties to the country that was devastated by a 7.0-magnitude on Jan. 12, it’s been an emotional two weeks.

“Me, my mom, my sister, we were crying because we wanted to have news of my grandparents and my dad and my uncle,” student Berlee Ashley Joseph told CTV Montreal reporter Annie DeMelt.

Yvonne Williams, a teacher, said the staff felt the need to organize an event after seeing how traumatized students were by the disaster.

“It was just so hard to see them suffering, so we thought, ‘You know what? We need to do something,’” said Williams.

Each student at the school donated $5.00 they raised at home by doing chores, and managed to come up with $1,800.00 for relief for Joseph’s family.

At a special assembly, during which the students offered prayers and sang songs of hope, Joseph expressed gratitude to her peers.

“I want to tell everybody at the school thank you. It’s very special to me,” Joseph said.

Ahuntsic Elementary School raises money for Red Cross

At Ahunstic Elementary School, there was a similar show of solidarity amongst staff and students.

“The least we can do is to show them we’re not ignorant to what’s going on,” said teacher Maha Kassef.

The students’ family members sponsored a silent march that raised more than $2000.00 for the Red Cross.

“I think it’s a good thing we did,” said student Caterina Tomassinni.

The gesture meant the world to Megdine Brass, a teacher of Haitian origin.

“Everyone is mobilizing and it’s not even their country. They’re really touched by it. There are no words for it. I feel blessed.”

Please Add Comments

noreen peters
As a parent,I am proud of the student of greaves.continue to encourage each other and give your friends a shoulder to lean on.

Clifford Wood
I also teach the wonderful students at Greaves. I am very proud of how the school functions as a family and have supported both our Haitian students and staff.

Belineda Josil
Wow I can't believe my school GREAVES ACADEMY is on TV

Clairon Haynes
As a teacher of the school I am touched by the this fund raising event. It is a wonderful thing to seee young people giving back to a world that has blessed them with so much!! Students I am proud of you!

Miss Clairon Haynes