UA foreign students aid Kosovo refugees

He and more than 180 international students in the University of Arizona's Center for English as a Second Language program have been collecting gift items from the students' home countries to sell in a fund-raising event to help refugees.

"You have to imagine being in their place," said Goumandakoye, who is from Niger. "In my country there are similar situations. It's the same thing."

More than 600,000 refugees, mostly ethnic Albanians, fled the war-torn province of Kosovo and persecution by Serb forces. Western aid groups, like the American Red Cross, are spearheading efforts to aid the refugees with basic supplies.

CESL students participating in the relief program spent the weekend sending letters to local Tucson businesses asking for donations like toothbrushes, soap and towels for refugees.

Javanna Oro, a 23-year-old Panamanian student, wanted to help the children of Kosovo.

"This kind of example can give a bad impression," she said. "They (the children) need to grow-up in a good environment."

The students have also collected more than 50 cultural trinkets to sell at the May 6 sale, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the UA Mall. Contribution boxes are located on the second floor of the CESL Building.

Mara Thorson, sale coordinator and an adjunct instructor in the CESL program, said the students are offering items they brought from home.

"It's a nice way for people from Tucson to see things from other countries, like an international bizarre," Thorson said. "There's not a lot of chance for that here."

The project was prompted by an e-mail from the UA's English Department asking university faculty, staff and students for contributions to help the Kosovar refugees. So far, fundraising efforts have garnered at least $1500.

Pete Cervantes, a 48-year-old Mexican student, said he became involved in the project because he wanted to help people in need.

"I feel great to give something to other people," he said. "The poor people are suffering over there."

The students said they also plan to use the sale as an opportunity to polish their English skills.

"It's difficult for us because our English isn't great," Oro said. "This project is great because it helps us practice English."