This year, students at Michigan State University founded their own chapter of Students for Orphan Relief, or Orphan Relief, in order to help cater to orphans by providing them with resources.
“Students for Orphan Relief is a nonprofit organization that caters to orphans locally and globally by providing them resources such as clothing, food, shelter, even going as far as paying off electricity bills and other types of bills,” Orphan Relief President and neuroscience junior Ali Tarhini said.
This chapter was founded by Tarhini, who had previously volunteered for the organization while he attended Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan.
“I've always volunteered for a variety of things, whether it be just regular community things or volunteering for autistic kids. This is one of the things I just volunteer for," Tarhini said.
Orphan Relief was originally founded by Ali Dourra and Ali Assi at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
“In the process of providing these orphans with the necessities, resources, and opportunities to accomplish their dreams, we hope to create leaders within our community who are focused not only on nourishing the lives of the orphans, but changing the lives they come across on a daily basis,” Dourra stated in Orphan Relief’s mission statement.
Since its founding, many other universities in Michigan, including Eastern Michigan University, Oakland University and Wayne State University, have founded their own chapters.
Together, the chapters combine their funds to work on bigger projects such as providing needs to a local family.
“We have a family that we're providing aid to. We will be paying off 30% of their bills. Providing them food in the form of a food crate,” Tarhini said. “We will also be moving them out of their house right now, which is currently just not the place to be. And so we're looking for an apartment ... and we’ll be covering half of the costs for about six to 12 months.”
After conducting interviews with families in Wayne County, Orphan Relief chose a family to sponsor. All chapters work on their own to fundraise money by means of bake sales and other fundraisers, then combines their totals for the family in need.
“Every individual is extraordinary in their own way; every individual possesses a dream and a passion that they utilize to promote good in this world. It is time to develop our strengths, improve our weaknesses, and live our lives in the service of others,” Dourra stated.
MSU Orphan Relief currently has around 30 members and will be meeting on Nov. 12 at the Business College Complex, N106 at 7:30 p.m.
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