January 12, 2005 - 4:00pm
Global Studies and English-as-a-Second Language students from Malaspina University-College will be going door-to-door in the Nanaimo community on Monday and Tuesday evening to raise funds for tsunami relief efforts, said Bronwyn Jenkins-Deas, Dean of International Education.
The students have been asked to identify themselves with a Malaspina student card and letter from the Canadian Red Cross.
Funds raised will go towards Malaspina’s tsunami relief fundraising reception and concert slated for next Wednesday evening at Malaspina (January 19). All proceeds will be forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross.
Other Malaspina students – some from Indonesia, India and Thailand - are creating educational displays for the fundraising reception to show before and after scenes of countries most affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunamis that hit Southeast Asia on December 26.
"While we do not currently have students from Sri Lanka or Malaysia, other students have volunteered to create displays for those countries," said Jenkins-Deas, who is helping to organize the fundraiser.
"The displays are meant to give Canadian people a different perspective of the countries affected by this disaster," explained third year Tourism student Mariani Dermawan, from Indonesia.
"We'll take people on a journey through Southeast Asian countries. To do this, we are collecting newspaper clippings from Canadian and overseas newspapers, and from the Internet, and preparing Powerpoint presentations. We are translating some articles from foreign newspapers, and are collecting cultural items, traditional clothing and samples of music to show people what these countries are like. We will also be available to answer people’s questions about these countries."
Indian student Prashanth Mukkala is from Chennai, India in the state of Tamilnadu, one of the hard-hit coastal areas. He is helping to create an Indian display for the fundraiser.
Mukkala arrived at Malaspina six months ago to attend the Master of Business Administration program, but his family remains back home.
"When I heard the shocking news about the disaster, I tried calling my family immediately," he said. "They are okay because they live eight kilometers in-land from the coast. But eight major resorts have been washed away. The region affected is the Marina Beach, the world’s second largest beach. The waves destroyed everything up to two kilometers into town."
Mukkala said 18 Indian students are currently attending Malaspina, and all feel extremely shaken by this event. The students are helping with Malaspina’s tsunami relief fundraiser because "we want to help," Mukkala said.
"The main people affected by this tragedy are children," he added. "Many have lost their parents and are homeless. It is my hope that the monies raised will be used to support these children and their education."
Mukkala said as a foreign student it is "extremely gratifying" to see how the whole nation of Canada "has joined hands to support the many victims in Southeast Asian. "I’m so happy that Malaspina is taking part in this relief effort," he added.
"People are coming out of this tragedy and building for the future."
For information about how to support Malaspina’s tsunami reception and fundraiser, please visit Malaspina’s website at www.viu.ca/benefit, phone 740-6103, or email: benefit@viu.ca
Tags: In the Community
