The April 16 deadline for Biola’s Haiti Grant Initiative Project has become increasingly flexible, as the project’s review committee has slowly begun to receive word of students developing the kind of sustainable projects they are looking for.

“If I know there is something in the pipeline, we’ll keep [the deadline] open,” said Michael Anthony, vice provost for academic developments and effectiveness. “The donor is more concerned about meeting needs in Haiti than meeting a deadline.”

Thus far, the committee has only received one complete proposal, but Anthony said that two more, both partnerships between professors and students, are soon to follow. The proposal they have already received, however, is exactly what the committee was hoping for, according to Anthony.

The proposal is a collaboration of four students from the music department who have come together to provide music therapy for child survivors of the recent quake.

Students working on this project plan to partner with Indigenous Pitch Dance Collective Inc., North Haiti Christian University and Quisqueya Christian School. The group plans to purchase instruments in order to present music therapy camps with these organizations and schools. Anthony said that after the team returns home they plan to meet the grant’s sustainability requirement through enabling North Haiti Christian University to continue the music therapy ministry.

Though the committee has not yet reviewed the team’s proposal, Anthony said that it parallels what the grant is meant for, as it combines the use of their majors with serving the needs of Haitians and also furthers Biola’s mission to impact the world for Christ.

Anthony suggested that students look to the current proposal as a model as they plan their initiative to help the people of Haiti. While the official deadline for the Haiti initiative has passed, students still considering submitting a proposal are encouraged to do so, as grant money is still available.