STU community supports Caribbean students after hurricane

Sochane Campbell, vice president of student life, helped organize the Jamaican Cookout fundraiser (Jennifer Williams/AQ)

When Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean on Oct. 28, international students at St. Thomas University faced not only concern for their loved ones but also the challenges of coping far from home. 

The community quickly mobilized to provide emotional and practical support.

Bernie Delgado, a third-year student and campus ministry assistant, organized prayer spaces at the STU Chapel for anyone affected. 

“Being able to hold space for students to feel their emotions fully, especially in a global crisis that affects them and their loved ones, is crucial,” said Delgado. “There needs to be recognition, from students, staff and faculty alike, that this isn’t happening somewhere far away. It’s happening to my classmate right next to me.”

Delgado highlighted the importance of inclusion for all students. 

“Even if domestic students feel they aren’t entitled to grieve or hold space for someone else, they can. Everybody needs support, especially those who don’t have their families close by, or whose loved ones are far away and facing a crisis they cannot physically intervene in.”

The prayer spaces were held outside and inside the chapel to make them accessible and welcoming for all faiths. 

“This is not a one-off thing. The success of this event has put into perspective the need for prayer spaces like this for anyone, no matter their faith, background, or who they are. We want to give them a space where they feel welcome,” said Delgado.

In collaboration with the International Office and student volunteers, a Jamaican food fundraiser gave students and staff a way to help while celebrating Caribbean culture through traditional dishes.

The fundraiser raised awareness and community spirit.

Saa Andrew Gbongbor, STU’s cultural diversity and international student coordinator, praised the Caribbean students’ leadership.

“Every step of [the fundraiser], the ideas, the initiative, came from them. They said, ‘We want to do this, we want to support.’ And we welcomed it wholeheartedly. The fundraiser was a huge success. Everything was gone in a couple of hours,” said Gbongbor.

He also stressed the shared responsibility of the community. 

“Raindrops do not fall on one person’s door alone. It falls on everybody. Today you might be fine, tomorrow you might not. We all have to stand with one another. Compassion is what I want to see moving forward every day.”

The International Office reached out to students to ensure they could contact family and access support. 

“We try to create multiple ways for students to heal. Sometimes they want space; sometimes they want someone to talk to. We’re watching, we’re checking in and we

want them to know that help is always available,” said Gbongbor.

Through prayer spaces, personal outreach and student-led initiatives, STU’s response to the hurricane highlighted the importance of solidarity and support for international students during global crises. 

“We want every student to know they’re not alone. Whatever happens, we’re here,” said Gbongbor.