While the latest headlines on the news suggest that the situation in Haiti is improving, the move to rush aid to the impoverished people of the country is on the rise. Students at BYU-Idaho whole-heartedly committed their time, talents, skill and items of hygiene as they put together hygiene kits from donations by students on campus in aid of the surviving victims of the natural disaster that befell Haiti.

Donations included unbreakable combs without sharp handles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hand towels and Ziploc bags.

Two students, Gina Dorsan and Fedeline Jean, who both have relations and friends from Haiti, took this initiative to enlist students at BYU-I to perform acts of charity by donating these items and participating in a hygiene kit packaging project at the Taylor Chapel last Saturday.  Like bees drawn to their hive, BYU-I students turned out in their numbers in support of this project. 

The program began at 10 a.m. on Saturday and was completed by 12 p.m. Students who could not make it to the project on Saturday still donated the items to project managers at their apartments.

All proceeds from the donations were sent to Layne Kinghorn, a faculty member who works on the LDS Church service/humanitarian board. Chike Ogbuehi, a freshman studying psychology from Nigeria, said, “This means a lot to me as I have the yearning desire to go assist my brothers and sisters who are suffering in Haiti. Even thou I cannot be physically present to help in the rebuilding of the nation, I feel the natural obligation to do something in my power, like this project, to help bring relief to the hurting nation of Haiti.”