Photo courtesy of Jenn Porkka
Students gathered on the quad for yoga, smoothies, and a little music. QU301 Bali students organized the fundraiser. The proceeds will go to Bumi Sehat, an organization they learned about during their trip.
Nice Guys Finish Last played some of their music. Bandmates Chanse Scott and Kyle Gallatin have played at many Quinnipiac events. The night before, they opened for WQAQ’s Spring Fest concert. They were also featured in the first episode of Q30 Entertainment’s QU Jams. Later in the day, Gallatin enjoyed yoga.
Instructors led students in partner yoga, balancing each other in the air. Even if they couldn’t get all of the moves down, students had fun trying them out with friends.
Some of the QU301 Bali students sat at a table making bracelets, anklets, and dream catchers to sell. They also sold trail mix and coasters. A separate stand sold freshly made smoothies and handcrafted bracelets.
Bumi Sehat, run by founder Robin Lim, helps give women to safer childbirth options. According to their website, the maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is 229 per 100,000 births, and the infant mortality rate is 27 per 1,000 births. These numbers are significantly higher than those of the United States. The CIA has found the maternal mortality rate in the United States for 2010 was 21 per 100,000 births. A report from the Center for Disease Control found the infant mortality rate was 6.1 per 1,000 births.
The organization hopes to reduce these numbers for Indonesia by providing better healthcare and education. Bumi Sehat has two centers, one in Bali and another in Aceh, Indonesia.
Senior Rachel Corso first came up with the idea for the fundraiser while listening to Lim speak about the organization. During the talk, Lim mentioned that funding was an issue for Bumi Sehat, which has an international branch as well.
“More people need to know about this. She’s doing great things,” Corso said.
Corso went on last year’s QU301 Bali trip but appreciates all the help she’s had from other students that attended this year. She said planning the fundraiser was a group effort.
