A recent trip to Haiti will soon have students involved in designing and fashioning diapers and a backdrop for children in Haiti. After two years of assisting people in Madagascar and Uganda, Philip Dail, the director of Advising and Admissions, ventured to the capital of Haiti, Portau Prince, in order to help local citizens.

Haiti, located right off the coast of Florida, was initially chosen by Dail due to the proximity of the country. “I was looking for a place to serve and help people that was more accessible,” said Dail.

Along with Haiti being accessible, Dail is acquainted with various people in Haiti. “There are several groups of people in Raleigh, including people from the College of Textiles, who desire to open up apparel industries in Haiti in order to provide employment for the public,” said Dail.

Saint Joseph’s Orphanage is located in the poorest areas of Haiti and was created by Pastor Leon Dorleans in order to benefit the local unprivileged children. The orphanage is comprised of three different segments: a church, a clinic and a school. Each sector reaches out to the needy, especially young children, to provide education, productive entertainment and lunch.  The lunch is packaged by Stop Hunger Now.

Every day the students, kindergarten through eighth grade, are served lunch. This is very rare in Haiti due to the lack of food. “There is food in Haiti, but not enough,” said Dail.

Many students in the orphanage are mentally and or physically challenged. Dail is currently working on a project which involves making diapers of all different sizes for these children. The garment is easily made and anyone with sewing skills is invited to assist with this project.

Along with diapers, Dail also is working on a backdrop for a theatre in the orphanage.”Drama and art are very important to the children,” Dail said. Dail and some textile students are working on printing the designs for the backdrop for the community theatre.

A project relating more to medical textiles is being planned by students from the University. Some textile students are planning a trip to Haiti for a medical project next March.

The trip to Haiti is not funded by the University. Dail said, “A clinic will be held next March to locals in the community.” Dail currently has two doctors and three nurses attending the function.

The most beautiful aspect of Haiti is the people, according to Dail. “Despite the poverty of the country, the people in Haiti are full of energy, smiles and friendliness,” said Dail.

“Haiti is classified as a developing country. There is poverty, financially, but not poverty of human spirit. The people in Haiti are full of life and energy. I want to go back,” Dail said.