DECEMBER 2015

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spreading the word OU CASA mobilizes to raise awareness BY JOYCE WISWELL If anyone understands that knowledge is power, it’s a college student. So the members of the Chaldean American Student Association (CASA) at Oakland University are banding together to create knowledge: ISIS must be stopped. Dubbing November “Awareness Month,” CASA held many activities designed to educate their fellow students about the existential threat posed by the Islamic fundamentalists. “Students ask us all the time how they can get involved to help the relief effort, so we tried our best to organize the easiest ways possible for them to join in,” said Halim Sheena, president of OU CASA. That included postings signs and chalking messages all over campus. “Student organizations are allowed to chalk but only a few take advantage of that,” Sheena said. “Our chalk team meets once a week and it’s proving to be one of our most popular initiatives. People like to be creative. One day, the campus was literally decorated – everywhere you went there were chalk and signs. Our goal is that you can’t come onto campus without becoming more aware.” OU’s CASA is a popular and growing group, with 260 members this year. A November visit from Bishop Francis brought out 87 students to hear about his experiences visiting Iraq. The group is also raising funds through bake sales and as of mid-November had collected more than $600 for HelpIraq.org from just three events. “It’s more non-Chaldeans giving, I think because the Chaldeans know what is going on already and have already donated,” Sheena said. “When we have an informational table and bake sale, there are lots of instances where people give us $10 or $20 and don’t want anything in return. There are a surprising amount of generous people out there. Well, I guess it’s not too surprising.” CASA has had its share of skeptics who question the effectiveness of their modest efforts. “Someone said, ‘how can $1 help?’ That day we raised $200 and can feed refugee families with it, so they don’t know what they are talking about. We are not thinking that ISIS will look at the chalk and stop – we are trying to raise awareness.” Everyone, not just Christians, needs to be knowledgeable about ISIS, he said. “All humanity should be against them. They are against everything that society stands for, and that type of thinking is a huge threat.” Follow the group on Facebook: Chaldean American Student Association at Oakland University. CASA members engage in a variety of awareness activities. 30 CHALDEAN NEWS DECEMBER 2015
DECEMBER 2015 CHALDEAN NEWS 31
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DECEMBER 2015

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