The area where I live had a very large Haitian population, thus so does the college I attend, and I have quite a few long-standing "regular" tutees who are Haitian. One of these students came to me for chem help yesterday. The tutor who'd taken her appointment request earlier had already tried to say something comforting and warned me not to say anything about the earthquake, as she had tried to say something comforting/encouraging and had been asked not to bring it up again after the woman had broken down and cried.

This other tutor also asked how we could offer some sort of meaningful support to all our fellow students who have loved ones in Haiti. Honestly? I haven't a clue. The ones who are still coming on campus are probably mostly in a similar headspace: terrified of what news they'll eventually receive and trying desperately to keep on with life anyway.

Same student is coming back today. The most I can offer her specifically is a couple of hours of getting lost in the solving of gas law and solution problems.

Maybe I'll stop by Student Support Services on the way in to see if they have any suggestions.

There are few things I find as torturous as knowing someone is in pain and not being able to help.