McMaster students outside this week

Regardless of the weather, this week a group of McMaster students will be sleeping outside on campus, in tents. The group is trying to raise awareness about the plight of refugees from Syria and Iraq. And they’re trying to raise 15 thousand dollars to help ease the suffering. We spoke to some of the students earlier today.

Nivin Vinkha, Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Student Union: “The rest of the week won’t be as beautiful. It’s supposed to snow Wednesday. Last year, we wore two sets of jackets. I have a spare just in case. I even had to wear my boots at night. But that’s an inconvenience compared to what the refugees are going through.”

Sarah Mamo, Assyrian Chaldean Syriac Student Union: “With winter coming, they’ll need as much humanitarian aid as possible.”

Nivin Vinkha: “Some of the worst conditions is muddy floors because it goes through the tents, through clothing, so you see pictures of little kids with mud up to their knees and they’re just crying. They’re just all miserable and you feel so bad.”

“They’re in refugee camps, they’ve lost homes, had to flee with only the clothes on their back, we’re trying to emulate that by not using electronics, only eating what is donated to the one, sleeping and living just like them. Living outside, not knowing where to go, and sleeping in a tent.”

“We’re here today until Friday at 4pm, sleeping outside everyday, all day, taking donations and speaking to classes.”