A little wind and rain wasn’t enough to stop this year’s Make Poverty History mission from wrapping Stauffer Library with a white banner more than one kilometre long.
Organized by Jennifer Morden and Kate Ciborowski, both ArtSci ’08, of Queen’s Make Poverty History chapter, Tuesday’s event was one of many that occurred around the world on Oct. 17 in honour of Make Poverty History’s annual International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Last year, the Make Poverty History campaign wrapped Kingston’s City Hall was in white, but this year the attention was brought onto the Queen’s campus.
“Queen’s is so small and close-knit, so it’s possible to get a response,” Morden said.
Despite the poor weather, the organizers said the event garnered a good response.
Members of the Kingston congregation Sisters of Providence were also out on Tuesday to support the cause, and were responsible for making the banner that stretched around the library.
Morden said one of Make Poverty History’s fundamental goals is to lessen the large gap between the rich and poor countries around the world.
Incorporating the help of richer countries, the organization’s primary targets are basic needs such as education and health care.
“It’s really taken off in Europe as well as Canada,” she said, adding that other branches of Make Poverty History include Live 8 as well as One, a project started by Bono.
Jess Laham, Comm ’07, said she thinks the club’s setup was a good idea, but the rainy weather hurt their awareness day.
“Nothing was really happening because of the bad weather. I think it would have on a nice day,” she said. “I don’t think people really paid attention ’cause everyone just had their head down under their umbrellas … It seemed like they made a good effort, they just had bad luck in terms of the weather.”
Despite the weather, Morden said the club managed to cover all costs and make a profit of just over $250.
Profits will go to the club bank account and all the money will be donated to the national Make Poverty History campaign at the end of the year.
Morden said the Queen’s chapter of Make Poverty History is planning more events for the rest of the year, including trivia nights and coffeehouses.
One upcoming event is the club’s White Tie Formal on Nov. 4. at Zorbas banquet hall, featuring DJ’s from Team Canada.
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