In 2010, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake. More than 220,000 people died, and 300,000 were seriously injured. This earthquake left thousands of Haitians homeless and living on the streets.

On October 4, 2016, another catastrophic event, Hurricane Matthew, a category 4 hurricane, struck southwestern Haiti, resulting in about 1,600 fatalities and a billion dollars in damages.

These constant natural disasters have destroyed many Haitians’ hope to move forward to a road of recovery. However, Miami High junior Adalain Sans, who wants to be a Silver Knight scholarship nominee as a senior, is here to help with Operation: Save Haiti, (OSH), an organization started in late August that focuses on supplying Haiti’s medical facilities and professionals with needed medical supplies.

What is Silver Knight?

Silver Knight rewards those who help others. According to the MiamiHerald.com’s Silver Knight  webpage, “Silver Knight is one of the nation’s most highly regarded student awards programs that recognizes outstanding students who have not only maintained good grades but have also unselfishly applied their special knowledge and talents to contribute significant service to their school and community.”

Starting Something New

OSH is about helping out the people that live in Haiti that are in urgent need to be helped. This organization collects supplies that will be shipped to the families that need it the most.

Starting a new organization is challenging. Having determination and inspiration, however, are a big help. “I was looking for a country that needed the most urgent help,” said Sans. “Ms. Turner, my health science teacher, was my inspiration. She had mentioned that she is from Haiti and has family members that inform her about the current crisis in Haiti. Creating this organization was a rollercoaster but quite the experience. I have met so many important people along the way, and I have come to understand the meaning of giving back to not only the community of Haitians who live here in Miami, but to an entire country.”

Donations

Operation Save Haiti has reached out to different hospitals, and the Department of Human Resources from Coral Gables hospital gave the organization an opportunity to obtain supplies and play a big role in the project. The goal for OSH was to reach 500 supplies, but the hospital donated approximately 2,000 items including hand sanitizer, bandages, alcohol, cotton balls, thermometers, reusable gel packs, paper towels, soap, and antibiotic ointment.

Students have their own reasons for donating to this organization. “I donated because I believe in good will and helping out others without expecting anything in return. That’s why I did my part in donating medical supplies such as: hydrogen peroxide, tissues, bandage, alcohol, and Epsom salt,” said junior Dayana Pienieda.

Junior Mauro Echenique added, “I donated because I tried to put myself in their shoes and tried to understand the difficulties they are going through, and I wouldn’t want myself or my family to go through the same issue.”

Junior Ariel Borges added, “I’m proud of having a friend that helps such a massive community with supplies they need. I also received 25 hours in return for donating which is a big advantage for me.”

Information about Donating

Operation: Save Haiti is a year-round effort and is hoping to ship out supplies along with Miami High’s Hope for Haiti collection drive on January 3, 2017 and June 16, 2017. Adalain is also looking forward to visiting Haiti over the summer with an organization that is willing to help, Herline: Lend a Helping hand to Haiti which is a travel agency which allows high school and college students to volunteer abroad. They will also be exporting medical supplies to Haiti as well.

The students at MHS can help by donating supplies in front of room 2103 and get community hours in return.  If you donate two items, you’ll be receiving three hours in return.