Witness. Inspire. Act (WIA) is a Harriton club that devotes their time to a new globally important problem each year. Formerly known as Gems not Genocide, the club was created by former Ram Abri Bernstein, who wanted to help end the genocide going on in Darfur. “

While we are very inspired by this topic and will continue donating to this cause each year, we’ve expanded our organization to cover a broader range of global issues as well,” says sophomore Eliza Barson, one of the officers. Barson also stated that the organization’s goal was to sponsor and run “powerful events in order to inspire thoughts and action within our community and beyond”. 

To meet that goal, WIA holds an annual conference and raises thousands of dollars in microloans that relate to the year’s cause. Last year, the cause was gender inequality, with a focus on domestic violence. The conference featured among its speakers Joe Ehrmann, a former NFL coach and player who speaks to schools and communities about the NFL’s campaign against domestic violence. The spring silent auction raised about $11,000 for microloans and attracted a “huge turnout”, Barson said. 

The club hopes to continue their success this year with their new topic: WIA is looking at hunger and getting nutritious food to impoverished areas that are often called food deserts. Outlining their plans, Barson reported, “We hope to host several events surrounding this topic and will create our conference around this issue as well. Our silent auction, hopefully, will raise even more for our organization than it did last year!”

Harriton students are sure to hear about WIA and its mission somehow this year. In addition to the traditional silent auction and conference, WIA is partnering with the Slam Poetry and Rap Club (SPARC) and, separately, No Place for Hate (NP4H) to put on events open to the Harriton community in upcoming months.

How can students join this world-changing club? Simply email Mr. Imaizumi, the club advisor, or contact any of the officers – Eliza Barson, Annie Barson, Jake Diamond-Reivich, Camilo Ortiz, Julia Green, and Jenna Kline. You will not regret it!