WOODBURY - Mike Fazzino believes in the power of unity.

The Woodbury resident adheres to the belief that one person can make a difference, and if more than one person works toward a common goal, change is inevitable.

Mike, a member of the One Campaign to eradicate extreme poverty, does not merely believe that - he has seen it happen.

"We sent thousands of e-mails, a flood of e-mails, to the International Monetary Fund, asking them to alleviate debt in Liberia," Mike said. "They couldn't handle the letters. We brought down their server. By late October, they agreed to eliminate the debt. It was a huge victory for us."

According to a November 13, 2007 One Campaign press release, members sent more than 25,000 e-mails to the International Monetary Fund, which had committed to providing debt relief to Liberia 18 months before but had yet to do so.

"From that point on, we're able to say 'this is what we can do; we can do more'," said Mike.

A Sacred Heart University student, Mike, 19, is set to graduate in 2010 with a double major in business administration and political science. He is part of the One Campus Challenge at SHU, a competition among American college students.

Students earn points based on activism and fighting poverty, for example, calling a congressman to talk about issues or attending meetings with legislators.

"The Campus Challenge is to motivate students to get involved and use their voices to speak out against the problems we have in the world right now," Mike said.

At press time, Sacred Heart University was one of the top five schools in the One Campus Challenge.

Prizes include a $1,000 grant to the top 10 schools so they can create their own poverty-fighting programs. In the spring, the campus that proves to be the best poverty fighters through visibility events, recruitment success and creative stunts, will be rewarded.

Ways to earn points include seizing opportunities to get the word out, from placing the One logo on an athletic field to creating a blog on campus or individual activities, with a five post per week minimum. Students can also have fun with the challenge, by dressing a pet in One gear and taking a picture.

More involved activities include hosting a debate with college Democrats, Republicans and the debate team to talk about political solutions to eradicate extreme poverty, and planning a campus event on December 1, World AIDS Day.

Mike said the most challenging part of the Campus Challenge is convincing students they can make a difference by standing together.

"There's a lot of work that you can do just from your home," he said. "You don't have to go out and build a house or buy a bed net for a family in Africa. You can call up your local congressmen, senators or governor and tell them 'this is what's going on, this is what needs to change'."

One Campaign members have the power to do that - in the midst of busy lives, the SHU One Campaign members are passionate and find the time because they know they can have an impact on the world, he said.

"College life is hectic, but we're working with students who care about issues today and about change for the future," Mike said. "That gives a sense of well-being and hope for the future."

One of the goals for the future of the One Campaign is to get the message out to presidential hopefuls. Mike said the One Campaign is non-partisan. Members made calls to presidential candidates, who made videos addressing One Campaign members, he said.

The One Campaign is affiliated with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Amnesty International. Because of the affiliation with Habitat for Humanity, Mike has helped build homes in Bridgeport, Honduras and New Mexico. He will be building homes in Texas this year.

"Being able to see the faces of the people you build a house for is extremely rewarding," said Mike.

Of all the memories Mike has of house building in Honduras, the one he thinks of the most happened at the end of the trip. Twenty-two boys in an orphanage would go to school in the morning while Mike helped build houses. In the afternoon, he would play games with the boys.

"At the end of the trip, we were going through the pictures and I showed them to the mother [head] of the orphanage," said Mike. "All the boys were smiling, and she said 'the boys like you'."

The allure of being part of the One Campaign is taking advantage of the opportunities that exist to do good in the world, Mike said.

"I think it's important to use your ability to help," he said. "It's being able to see what you can do just by using your voice."

Those seeking additional information may visit www.one.org.