By Eliana Li ’26
Morocco and Libya are currently experiencing tremendous devastation as a result of the recent earthquakes and floods. In response to this, several clubs and faculty members at Choate collaborated to host a fundraiser last week to help those affected in both countries. The fundraiser was held in the dining hall on October 10, 12, and 13.
Lots of work took place behind the scenes to bring the fundraiser into reality. A four-way collaboration between Choate Muslim Student Association (MSA), Middle East and North African Club (MENA), Community Service Club, and Red Cross Club, cabinet members and club advisers got together to brainstorm ways to help and figure out which organizations were going to be the most effective in delivering aid. In the end, the clubs decided that all raised funds would be donated towards Islamic Relief USA, Muslim Aid USA, and Helping Hand for Relief and Development.
“It was important to pinpoint the specific foundations, and I believe that no matter what size donation is sent in through the Choate community, it is enough to impact someone else who needs it,” MSA Vice President Rafia Pasha ’26 said.
The organizers of the fundraiser hope their donations can help those across affected areas access scarce resources, such as food, water, and shelter. “When planning this event, our main focus was on helping the people who were stripped of their critical necessities,” MSA President Zaki Shamsi ’26 said. “Setting up these regions so they are able to rebuild is a significant focus of ours.”
Rebuilding the parts of Morocco and Libya that have been destroyed and caring for the injured has been extremely expensive. As a result, many residents have struggled to afford it on their own. “We didn’t think that the victims of these disasters should hold the responsibility of rebuilding their communities alone, so this fundraiser is a way for us to reach out and support residents in this difficult time,” Vice President of the Red Cross Club, Sophia Britton ’24, said.
Students were encouraged to help in any way that they could, whether working at the fundraiser booth or spreading awareness of the tragic event and its impacts on local populations.
Emma Schwerin ’26, who donated to the fundraiser, said, “I donated money because I think it’s for a really good cause. I visited Morocco a couple of years ago, and the history and architecture there were super special. It’s really sad to see that much of that is gone now, and I just wanted to help in any way I could.”
Ms. Sanaa Sofiane, a faculty adviser to the fundraiser, said, “I’m hoping the students can benefit from this project [by] giving back to another country and be able to appreciate what they have and to help others who are less fortunate.”
In the end, the event raised almost $900 to help those in need. Maya Bashawaty ’24, President of MENA, said, “We must all take on the responsibility of the global citizen if we ever hope to one day unify the peoples of the world, holding care for one another [with] the goal of a safe and equal global community above all else.”
