Not-for-profit organization Konbit Pou Edikasyon will co-host a fundraiser on Feb. 6 to give kids from the slums of Haiti the opportunity for a good education.

After returning from a trip to shantytowns in Port-au-Prince, six law students and one alumnus were part of a team of 20 people across the country who created the organization, which raises money and school supplies for Haitian children.

Konbit Pou Edikasyon, a Haitian Creole term meaning “coming together for education,” became an incorporated not-for-profit on Nov. 26, 2008.

Since its formation, the organization has raised just over $2,000 for children in Cité Soleil and Place Cazeau, Haiti, whose families cannot afford the cost of education.

Co-founder and third-year law student Jose Massingue was inspired by the children he met on his first trip to Haiti.

The National Black Law Student Association trip was initiated by NBLSA International Relations Committee chair, Konbit Pou Edikasyon executive director and third-year law student Michelle Augustine.

“As part of the Soccer for Peace program we were able to raise more than $8,000 and were able to bring 40 boxes of soccer equipment and school supplies to the children,” Massingue said.

“While we were there, we asked the children what else they wanted, and all that they responded was that they wanted an education.”

Konbit Pou Edikasyon currently sponsors 10 children in Haiti, providing them with education, food and medical supplies.

Four more children will soon be sponsored, but the not-for-profit is still less than halfway to their goal of sponsoring 30 children this year. In order to accomplish this, the organization must raise $8,000 by August, according to Massingue.

Konbit is not limited to the Loyola community though, which may make the goal easier to reach.    

The students have worked with alumni, law professionals and other not-for-profit agencies for support.

In order to keep track of where the funds and supplies are being sent when arriving in Haiti, the founders rely on correspondent Wilda Mondestin, a Haitian women’s rights activist who lives in Haiti and provides monthly updates on the children and their needs, said Massingue.

Already the organization is serving as an example for others. “Since forming our not-for-profit, people have asked us for advice on how they can begin their own … we are always willing to lend our support,” Massingue said.

Members of Konbit Pou Edikasyon are helping Loyola’s Contemporary String Ensemble form their own nonprofit.

Music industry senior Andrea Gomez, a cellist in the Contemporary String Ensemble, says that the ensemble plans to work with Konbit in the future to play at fundraisers.

“We are all musicians, and even though we may take a few business classes we don’t have the expertise that they do,” Gomez said.

“It’s kind of (a) tricky (process), and they were really kind in helping us and meeting us to fill out the forms to gain nonprofit status.”

Massingue feels that involvement with Konbit Pou Edikasyon is as good for the volunteers and members as it is for the children of Haiti.

“Working with Konbit has been an extremely rewarding experience that has allowed everyone involved to utilize their professional skills to help those in need,” he said.

The fundraiser Nuit de Soleil will be co-hosted with Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, at the McKenna Museum of African-American Art from 6-9 p.m.

Profits from the fundraiser will go toward more supplies for children.

The trip, for benefactors to the organization, as well as members and founders, is scheduled for March 27, 2009.

Kevin Zansler can be reached at [email protected].