Youth unite for Haiti at Let’s Heal the World concert
By Indra Kumari Nadchatram CYBERJAYA, 18 February 2010 – “We care!” … two words that echoed during the Limkokwing University’s Let’s Heal the World concert held recently to raise funds for children and families who survived the earthquake which ravaged Haiti more than a month ago. Limkokwing’s rising stars Arnez from Zimbabwe, King Lhota from Senegal and Ronnie from Malaysia joined students from close to 150 countries, university staff and lecturers, to put on a 3-hour moving performance of song, music and poetry flushed with messages of compassion, solidarity and hope. For their efforts, the university donated RM 30,000 (US$ 8,772) to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in support of the Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal. “UNICEF is incredibly humbled and touched by the heartfelt generosity from Limkokwing students, staff and lecturers”, said UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships Manager Choon Bow Bow upon receiving the contribution from Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, A. Kohilan Pillay. Limkokwing University CEO Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato Dr. Lim Kok Wing and Miss Malaysia World 2009 Tanuja Anandhan witnessed the presentation. A children’s emergency
Being one of the poorest countries on earth, with a history peppered with natural disasters and years of violence, insecurity and instability, the situation of children and women in Haiti was already one of great vulnerability even before the earthquake struck. This latest disaster has robbed families of loved ones, homes and livelihoods and only served to intensify the Haitian people’s suffering. An estimated 1.26 million children – approximately 700,000 of them school-aged – have been directly affected by the earthquake, making this a children’s emergency. UNICEF and its UN, government and NGO partners have organised a massive aid effort, delivering life-saving supplies to those who need them most. One month on, over 900,000 people are receiving safe water every day at 300 sites, while sanitation facilities are also being installed in camps throughout the affected areas with help from partners Oxfam, CARE and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Children orphaned or separated from their families are also being registered and placed in child-friendly facilities, while efforts are underway to trace their immediate or extended families to protect children from becoming victims of trafficking. Touching the hearts of survivors The concert for Haiti was put together by students and lecturers in a matter of days. Special Assistant to the President of Limkokwing University, Tiffanee Marie Lim (22) said that she and her peers felt strongly about doing something to help Haiti. “I have never not had somewhere I knew I could go to feel protected, or someone who I could speak to who could reassure me,” Tiffanee said. “I couldn’t imagine what it must be like to be in their shoes.” In 2009, Limkokwing University presented UNICEF with the “Let’s Heal the World” music video to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and to formalise its 3-year partnership with the UN children’s agency to provide students with opportunities to embrace personal leadership roles for change and innovation. In presenting the song as a tribute to the courage of Haiti’s earthquake survivors, Tiffanee added: “We hope it will touch the hearts of those in pain. They must know there are people with them, and for them.” ..............................................................................................Haiti Earthquake Children's Appeal (Malaysia)
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