C.W. Post Nutrition Club Members Help
Fellow Nutrition Students Across the World

Students in the Nutrition Club at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University in Brookville are providing some food for thought to colleagues half a world away. Three cartons of up-to-date textbooks -- a valuable and rare resource in Africa -- were mailed from C.W. Post to the Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. And it all started with casual conversation.

Amena Merchant, a graduate student and assistant in the department who has lived many years in Nairobi, briefly related the interest and need for textbooks to Dr. Frances Gizis, the department chairperson. Shortly after, faculty members donated used and new books that related to all aspects of the nutrition program. The Nutrition Club donated the funds to pay for the shipping of the books.

"It is very difficult to get new textbooks in Kenya," said Merchant, who plans to graduate with a master’s degree in January 2005. "They are usually only attained by donations. Even books that are 25-years-old are valued so much. It is so overwhelming to me to think about the generosity of all the students, faculty members and staff. These books will be put to such good use."

Merchant said the Department of Foods, Nutrition and Dietetics was started in 1996 and is still growing. She would like to get her Ph.D. and return to Kenya to teach at the University.

Nutrition Club president and graduating senior Heather Ribaudo as well as treasurer Suzanne Looney made all the financial arrangements and the campus post office assisted with the logistics of mailing the books overseas. Dr. Barbara Shorter, the advisor to the Nutrition Club, facilitated much of the project. The books, which were shipped in early March, arrived at the University at the beginning of April.

"In Swahili, we say 'Sante,' which means 'Thank you," said Merchant, who has been in the United States since last September. "I feel so honored that everyone came together to do this. I'm so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of people."

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