Concert hosted by STAND feeds optimism for starvation crisis in Somalia
A deprived baby arrived at the emergency room. Close-ups of his face — skeletal, frail and depressed — reflected a human being without hope. The only real sign of life appeared in his enlarged eyes that blinked slowly, wanting to cry. With the humanitarian aid of nutritional resources, Minhaj Gedi Farah survived the scare of acute malnutrition that plagues Somalia and much of Africa.
This BBC newscast shown at the Songs for Somalia Benefit Concert intended to raise awareness of the tragic famine throughout the Horn of Africa and gather donations from the Syracuse University community. The event was co-sponsored and organized by STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, the African Student Union, She’s The First and the Muslim Student Association.
‘Famine in Somalia is pretty devastating. Thirteen million people are affected. Hundreds of thousands have died,’ said Luke Lanciano, STAND president and senior political science major. ‘Famine has not really been getting the attention it deserves even though millions of people are being affected.’
The event took place in an intimate setting at the Schine Underground with approximately 50 attendees.
All proceeds from the $5 tickets will go to Valid Nutrition, which distributes nutrition packs to help treat malnourished people in Somalia and the rest of Africa. STAND expects about $500 in donations and from ticket sales.
‘We felt it was a need that needed to be met,’ said Lanciano, a former columnist for The Daily Orange.
Despite such a serious message, Songs of Somalia featured various student performers to provide a lighter mood for the audience. Performers included Groovestand, Otto Tunes and student artists Marcus Belmore and Demarcus Woods. Audience members saw everything from a mime gyrating to gospel music to the Otto Tunes’ rendition of Christina Perri’s ‘Jar of Hearts.’
Performers enjoyed the experience of performing for STAND’s dedicated cause.
‘It’s always fun to get up there, especially in an atmosphere like this. I was just happy to be a part of something that’s hopefully going to help a lot of people,’ Belmore said. ‘STAND always does a very good job of making these causes known. They make sure that, apart from the ticket sales, the event itself is, in fact, willing to support the cause.’
Published on November 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm
