Helping Haiti: Baltimore International Academy Responds

By Lisa Eimer
Secretary, Baltimore International Academy

 Baltimore International Academy(BIA) invites the public to a fundraising dinner to benefit Haitians affected by this month’s devastating earthquake. The multicultural “Dine and Let Humanity Shine” dinner will be held on Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at BIA, located on the campus of the Maryland School for the Blind. The event features community leaders, guest speakers and student performances, and it requires a minimum donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children. All proceeds go toward disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Click here for the press release.

In addition to hosting the dinner, the school’s 319 students are collecting diapers, wipes and hygiene products, along with new and used clothing, blankets, sheets and towels for the earthquake victims. Donations can be dropped off any time during school hours, but BIA students, staff and volunteers will be available in front of the school on Friday, Jan. 22 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to accept donations from vehicles driving through the main circle.

Students, parents and staff have truly rallied behind this humanitarian effort because the tragedy in Haiti hits close to home for the BIA community. As a language immersion school offering instruction in French, Spanish, Chinese and Russian, BIA’s population includes a diverse group of students and faculty. Several children in the school are personally affected by the disaster, as is the school’s gym teacher, Mr. Frantz Cadet Francois, a Haiti native. In addition, BIA has a strong French immersion program, so even students with no ties to Haiti feel a special connection to fellow French-speaking schoolchildren suffering in this large-scale humanitarian crisis. Clothing donations have been pouring in from BIA students and parents in support of Mr. Frantz and Haiti’s displaced citizens.

BIA will partner with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Red Cross in weeks to come to ensure that donations reach Haitians in need. For more information, please call the school at 410-426-3650.