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from the issue of April 21, 2005
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UNL helps tsunami victims from half a world away
BY TIFFANY RYCK, SPECIAL FOR THE SCARLET
EDITOR'S NOTE - This is the first in a series of stories composed by students enrolled in the UNL College of Journalism's "Advertising and Public Relations Techniques" (Advertising 451/851). The class is taught by Phyllis Larsen, assistant professor.
Candle flames flickered in a cold breeze that complimented the somber mood outside the Nebraska Union. Huddled together for warmth, about 30 people cupped hand to flames to keep them from going out.
The people were participating in a candlelight vigil that was part of a February event to raise awareness about devastation the December tsunami caused in Asia and east Africa, while collecting donations for those affected. The day-long, "Power of One," event was organized by the International Student Organization - an organization composed of several groups of UNL students from foreign countries. It was one of many events university organizations have been involved in to support the tsunami victims.
Dileep Goyal, a member of the India Student Association and a chemical engineering graduate student, created a poster display for the event. His poster showed how the tsunami happened, the physical damage it caused and the death tolls for individual states in India. Goyal wanted to show people what they might not be seeing in the media. Far from home, Goyal felt the best way he could help his country was to make people here conscious of the circumstances.
"The only intention of the vigil was not the donations, it was to remember these peoples," Goyal said.
Others involved in, "Power of One," expressed similar thoughts, especially as UNL is home to students from each of the affected countries.
Students from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and Malaysia shared stories of the devastation, drawing a group of about 70 people. They spoke of friends and family who lost everything, as well as the heartbreak of survivors who lost loved ones and are left to wonder why they survived to see the aftermath.
Manjush Pattapurati, an electrical engineering masters student, prepared an emotional PowerPoint presentation. Including images of orphaned children looking for their parents, piles of dead bodies on the beach, before and after photos of coastal towns, and men, women, and children crying hysterically over their losses, he confronted the audience with the harsh reality of the disaster.
"We should not forget the pain and psychological affects (the disaster caused)," Pattapurati said. "Innocent orphans need a bright future and we have to give them one."
Pattapurati has also visited corporations such as General Electric Co. and Verizon to show his presentation to larger groups of people and encourage them to make donations.
Since the tsunami, many Asian students and faculty have wanted to educate people, not just about the tragedy but also about their native cultures. An event was held at North Star High School in conjunction with the Asian Community and Culture Center in Lincoln. Many UNL student organizations sent representatives including the Sri Lanka Association and the Nebraska University Malaysian Student Association. Performers sang songs, wore national dress and did native dances.
Monetary donations were collected at the event, as well as from coin drives in Asian markets around Lincoln. The money that was raised was donated to the Red Cross.
NUMSA collected donations for the International Red Cross and the Malaysian Red Cross. They set up a booth in the Nebraska Union and raised more than $600. They also gathered contributions at their annual Malaysian Night on March 26th, a celebration that included cultural performers, Malaysian food, and music.
While most donations are being given to the Red Cross, the Sri Lanka Student Association wanted to directly help the people of their country.
Other campus organizations were asked to raise the money to sponsor a child. A sponsorship of $100 will buy one child all the necessary supplies for one year of school. Currently, 11 students have been sponsored though efforts at UNL. A goal of 400 scholarships has been set.
Rohan Fernando is the faculty adviser of the organization and a research assistant professor in the Vet & Biomedical Sciences Department. He raised almost $600 by talking to fellow faculty and staff of his department. Through efforts in conjunction with his church, he also raised $14,000 that is being used to rebuild houses in Sri Lanka.
"Think about these people who have lost everything, it will take years to rebuild," Pattapurati said. "It is not just money, they need love and affection."
These are just a few of the efforts that have taken place on campus since the tragedy of Dec. 26, 2004.
To get involved in helping the millions affected by the tsunami, use these contacts. To sponsor a child in Sri Lanka please send an email to srilankaassociation@unl.edu or call (402) 472-8056. To donate to the NUMSA, visit their Web site http://www.unl.edu/numsa/index.html. Those interested in the pictorial PowerPoint presentation can email Pattapurati manjushp@gmail.com.
Tiffany Ryck is a second-year graduate student at UNL. She will be receiving her master's in journalism in May.
GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 21
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UNL helps tsunami victims from half a world away
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