The recent earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation of Haiti was, by all accounts, a disaster.
The 7.2 magnitude quake, which hit Saturday, has claimed the lives of nearly 1,300 people — that we know of so far — and injured at least 2,800 others, CBS reports. Scores of homes were either damaged or destroyed, and people are scrambling for refuge. Making matters worse is Tropical Depression Grace, which could pour down enough rain to spark mudslides and flash floods.
Naomi Osaka, the half-Haitian, half-Japanese tennis superstar, is doing her part to help. Following her participation in the Western & Southern Open, a tennis tournament currently taking place in Cincinnati, she will give any prize money she receives to ongoing relief efforts.
“Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break,” she recently tweeted.
Osaka continued, “I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors’ blood is strong — we’ll keep rising.” That donation could amount to as much as $285,000.
Beyond the meaningful nature of the gesture, it’s also a great example to set for other high-profile individuals. Then again, Osaka is no stranger to using her platform for good, often speaking out against police brutality and racial inequities when opportunities arise.