MIAMI DADE COLLEGE PROFESSOR COLLECTS BOOK BAGS FULL OF SUPPLIES FOR NEEDY CHILDREN IN THE BAHAMAS,

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI

MIAMI, June 30, 2006 – In 1995, Miami Dade College (MDC) history professor Dr. Morris Johnson traveled to South Africa for eight weeks to work on a doctoral dissertation.  He encountered an educational system in deplorable condition. Some schools were burned while others had windows missing and a few were riddled with bullet holes.

Upon his return to the United States, Dr. Johnson decided that something should be done. Thanks to the generosity of Miami Dade College North Campus students, Dr. Johnson donated a countless number of basic school supplies such as backpacks, paper, pencils, books and dictionaries to needy children in countries as far away as South Africa, Brazil, Tonga, Fiji and Trinidad.

This year, Dr. Johnson is donating hundreds of book bags filled with scissors, paper, pencils, calculators and books to school kids in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.  The first set of donations were shipped to the Bahamas in late June,  to be followed by donations to the Dominican Republic in July and Haiti in September.

“It may not seem to be much, but when you go into a school where there is barely any equipment at all and you drop off three suitcases full of supplies, everyone is grateful,” said Dr. Johnson, who has been teaching at MDC’s North Campus for 30 years. “We really make an impact. It is truly rewarding to provide the supplies.”

Donations this year came from MDC North Campus students in history and social environment classes. Anthropology professor Robert Moorman also asked his students to donate. The response was overwhelming. The students’ donations filled two rooms. One of professor Moorman’s students, Maritza Marquez, collected 80 book bags full of school supplies and eight world globes.

“It was a lot of work,” said Marquez a 30-year-old nursing student at the North Campus. “The garage in my house was full.”

But it was all worth it, Marquez said. She urged her friends and family to donate. All the while, she expressed the urgency of giving others the opportunity to get an education.

“If everyone could donate at least one dollar, we could make a difference,” Marquez said. “I think education is the most important thing. It’s the base of their future.”

Patti Harris, chairperson of the Social Sciences department also recognizes the importance of volunteerism and education. “The activities of Dr. Johnson typify the kind of outreach that can truly change the world,” she said.

Anyone interested in making donations is urged to contact Dr. Morris Johnson (305) 237-8111.

Program Information: Dr. Morris Johnson (305) 237-8111.

Media contacts: Manolo Barco (305) 237-3081 or Beverly Counts Rodrigues, director of Media Relations (305) 237-3949