MARQUETTE, Mich. (WLUC) – Carter Hairston is President of the Refugee Outreach Collective at NMU. He is hoping people understand that refugees are people too.
Last year, the Refugee Outreach Collective chapter began at NMU. The program is helping a refugee camp in Dzaleka, Malawi. Hairston says education is an important opportunity for those in the camp.
“People spend their entire lives in the camp,” Hairson said. “Having an education, and one in which you can prove that you have, is a huge asset to getting out of the camp.”
On Feb. 19th, the Northern Center at NMU will be hosting a jazz and art gala. The art will be auctioned and comes from the refugees at the camp in Dzaleka. The jazz music will be provided by 906 Jazz. The funds they receive will be going toward a Starlink System to help students attend virtual classes. Because of power outages at the camp, the Starlink System will allow easier access to online classes for students.
906 Jazz Member Todd Noordyk caught wind of the program, and after meeting with Hairston, he loved what he and his group were doing. He decided for himself that he wanted to become involved and spread awareness of refugee art.
“You know we’re in the frozen tundra up here, so they just kind of warmed my heart,” Noordyk said. “These eight pieces, very unique. How nice would that be to have at the office, or at the hospital when people come in.”
Both Noordyk and Hairston believe art is a wonderful way to help those from different cultures connect.
The art gala will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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