Haiti Ambassador visits Virginia Tech

Haiti Ambassador visits Virginia Tech (Added: April 15, 2010)

Haiti Ambassador to the US visited Virginia Tech to thank the community for their support since January's earthquake. (more)

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By Jarett Henshaw
Published: April 15, 2010

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BLACKSBURG - Arriving at Roanoke Regional Airport, Haiti Ambassador to the US Raymond Joseph is greeted by Virginia Tech professor Patrick Guilbaud. As soon as he got off the plane Joseph was all about thank you's.

"The earthquake of January 12th devastated my country and people of Roanoke, people of this area, Virginia, and the United States really came to our help in solidarity and for this I'm saying thank you,” said Joseph.

He's making a special trip to Virginia Tech for Haiti day, where he'll be speaking about the status of Haiti now and the importance of service in our communities.

Ambassador Joseph said the main reason he wanted to speak here in Burrus Auditorium tonight was to show his appreciation to the Hokies for all their help.

Hokies united alone has raised more than fifty-thousand dollars since January’s earthquake.

"For young people to raise fifty-thousand-dollars is the kind of thing that touches us,” said Joseph.

Joseph says he's also pleased for the work tech professor Bryan Cloyd has been doing to build a school in the small village of Ti Pelige. Cloyd's selling a CD he made with a small choir in Haiti to raise money for the construction.

"I wanted to come here also to thank them, thank everybody, for what they've done for my country in the past three months,” said Joseph.

The ambassador says he and his country are very appreciative to everyone who has donated their time and money. Joseph says he just hopes the support continues because Haiti has a long ways to go.

Joseph will also be speaking at Blacksburg Baptist Church on April 16th, at 10 a.m.