When University of Queensland student Richelle Joyce Figueroa realised the disastrous impact Typhoon Haiyan had created in her home country of the Philippines, she thought about how she could help those in need.
A group of Masters students, members of UQ clubREAL, the UQ Filipino-Oz Society and other volunteers joined forces to raise money through a bake sale.
Proceeds from the sale went towards the Streetlight orphanage in Tacloban City and to buying ‘Bundles of Joy’ packs of clothing, food and vitamins distributed by Filipino volunteers.
Richelle isn’t the only one from UQ offering a helping hand.
School of Psychology ARC Laureate Fellow Professor Alex Haslam had a $400 donation made on his behalf in an exchange for consultancy work.
Staff from UQ’s Faculty of Business Economics and Law have organised for volunteers to fly to the Philippines to work with community organisations in Northern Cebu.
A donation drive supported by staff from the Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education and UQ International is under way, seeking bottled water, toiletries, candles, matches, canned food that doesn’t need a can opener, medical supplies such as bandages, vitamins and anti-bacterial products, and solar-powered lighting.
Volunteers are also needed to help sort and pack donations.
Donations can be dropped Shed 4/143 St Vincents Road, Virginia, between 9am and 4pm, before 29 November.
For more information about alternative drop-off points or volunteering, please contact Maj Coop (m.coop@uq.edu.au or 0433 435 285).
Media: Kate Bishop, UQ Communications, 3346 7887 or k.bishop3@uq.edu.au.
