ACSM Portfolio Reflective Overview

Auriell Frederick
03/09/2010
Academic Seminar
Service Learning Project: Haitian Service Learning Relief
In our Academic Seminar class we are addressing the objective of student service
learning by linking service learning to the Haitian Disaster and creating a mock service learning
project.
I am targeting two of basic needs of the people of Haiti: the need for clean, drinkable
water and cots, to dually function as traditional temporary bedding and temporary hospital
bedding.
The reflection activity for this service learning activity will be group discussion.
The plan for this activity includes the following goals:
I.

Elect campus representatives, students and faculties, and ambassadors for the involvement of this
project

II.

Establish student awareness of the basic needs for the people of Haiti affected by the earthquake.
A) Explain why sleeping materials and clean water are necessary for the Haiti People;
B) Explain why clean, drinkable water for the Haiti People is absolutely critical.
C) Explain how water desalinization is important can be relatively affordable for the masses
and be a long term solution for the Haitian islands.
1. Explain why salt to chlorine water filtration is a solution and can be used as an
alternative, but will not address a permanent solution for clean water.
2.

Educate students why it is not cost efficient to air lift bottled water to Haiti, nor is
it a permanent solution.

3. Educate students on why developing a partnership with a manufacturer and/or

corporation is necessary, as a project of this scale requires massive resources
because it is addressing a massive population.
D) Educate students about the economic situation, past and present of Haitians, and how the
recent disaster has exacerbated poverty and affected the lives of so many who because of
lack of resources will not be able to recover without massive humanitarian efforts.
III.

Advocate and partner with a Sister (Catholic Charities or Franciscan Ministries) college or
university nationally, or internationally to compound fundraising efforts. Allow partnership with
other participating colleges and universities.

IV.

Develop a work plan to raise money, get partners, conduct research, and acquire cots and
desalination systems. The work plan shall include
A) Research and develop a plan to approach the WDSM (water desalinization manufacturer(s).)
B) Research viable filtration manufactures a select a company or corporation to approach for
help.

ACSM Portfolio Reflective Overview

C) Re-elect a key group of representatives to contact the WDSMs until a positive response is
received.
V.

Purchase cots directly from manufacturer through a contractual bidding system.

VI.

Have Red Cross or another non-profit deliver cots and water filtration systems and supplies
directly delivered to multiple disasters relief sites in Haiti.

VII.

Create a Clean Water Campaign for Haitians.

IX.

Continue CWC throughout its implementation and its duration of the project in Haiti.

I anticipate successful results for my Service Learning Plan. I believe that that providing
bedding and creating a campus wide partnership with students, nationally, and perhaps
internationally will realistically satisfy the goals (both of service learning and fundraising)
outlined above for the bedding project. My project will enhance service learning. It will create
global awareness for the students and re-illustrate core Franciscan principals, values, and beliefs
and both participants of the project, thus the participants will benefit.
I do anticipate a potentially negative impact on students, but not the community. This
being with regard to one major aspect of the Clean Water Project is the potential response from
large scale manufacturers or corporations of water desalinization technology systems, IE,
negative or critical responses and or the refusal of participation. To avoid a negative impact on
the community, I propose steps III through XI, which illustrates key members whom will have
the experience and necessary knowledge to approach and negotiate business with such
companies. These elected members should have experience dealing with such business practices
and will be a direct liaison for OLOLs Franciscans Ministries Clean Water Campaign. They
should be able to exercise perseverance and handle sensitive correspondence data discretely and
appropriately so the students and other members not be discouraged by initial rejection from the
water filtration technology systems.
The socioeconomic impact on Haiti is negatively devastating. Their economy is totally
destroyed. There is extremely little to no production of clean water, little shelter for Haitis
residents, no production of food, no hospitals, and no jobs for a very impoverished population.
There is a very high population and rate of violence due to urbanization and the already
impoverished economy is struggling with the AIDS/HIV epidemic and lack of necessary medical
care. Global outreach is critical to this countrys failing economy to provide basic needs such as
food, water, shelter, law enforcement, medical care, and medical supplies or the country will
eventually perish.