The Perspectives That Divide Us - Rockhurst University

Roc k Re p o r t 4 4 4 4 4 4Soccer Pro Leads Malaria CampaignIn the United States,$10 might buy yourmorning coffee,pastry and newspaper.But in Africa, where morethan 3,000 children die ofmalaria every day, $10 canbe the difference betweenlife and death for familieswithout mosquito nets.Diego Gutierrez, ’05,Chicago Fire midfielderand national spokespersonfor Nothing But Nets,a United NationsFoundation campaign,is passionate aboutspreading the messagethat just $10 can save anentire family from malaria.That’s the organization’scost to purchase, distributeand teach a family howto use the nets.His dedication to thecause led the U.S. SoccerFoundation to honor him asthe 2007 humanitarian ofthe year. Gutierrez, who gotinvolved with the campaignbecause he felt he was ata point in his life wherehe could make a realdifference, finds himselfthinking in “bednetnumbers” when he looksat what he spends.“How many peoplecould I save by notindulging in little stuff?”he often wonders. “It isimperative that I makepeople understand Africa’sneeds and how easy it isto help save lives.”Gutierrez, a RockhurstUniversity soccer standoutfrom Colombia, capitalizeson his professional soccercareer to raise awarenessof malaria.“For better or for worse,at times people listen abit more when you kickor throw or shoot a ballfor a living,” he says. “Theplatform that pro athleteshave gives me somethingnot everyone has.”This platform allows himto get others involved inhelping the less fortunate.“I am persistent whenit comes to makingothers realize that we areresponsible for helpingpeople who were givenless,” Gutierrez says. “Weare morally responsible forlooking out for them.”photo: Brian Kersey/MLS/WireImage.comThe U.S. Soccer Foundation honored Chicago Fire midfielderDiego Gutierrez, ’05, for his dedication to Nothing But Nets,a United Way campaign.French Students Partnerwith Haitian CommunityTraveling to an exotic location to learn asecond language isn’t practical for manycollege students, but students in KathleenMadigan’s Francophone Cultures class get to visit aHaitian community every week. Her students canpractice their French with fluent speakers at the FirstBaptist Haitian Church right here in Kansas City.The program, which allows both groups to teacheach other through their different experiences, is apartnership between Rockhurst’s Center for ServiceLearning and Glory House Services, a nonprofitorganization focused on diversity and education.4 Ro c k h u r s t4w i n t e r 2007