Disaster Hits Home

Japan Disaster Published: http://www.thecurrentonline.net/campus/disaster-hits-home-1.210548

The most powerful earthquake in a century. A tsunami. Radiation poisoning. A death toll of over 10,000 and rising.

This is the news that has been reaching the 74 Japanese students here on campus since Friday, March 11.

"I thought, ‘That's not possible'," said Masahito Yoshizawa, one of the Japanese students. "I tried to reach my family through Skype. I tried ten times."

He eventually got through to them, but only for three minutes. And then he felt alone again. Still, he said, "I knew they were OK. I'm acting with patience, I will keep calm."

Japan is often struck by earthquakes, but Friday at 2:46 p.m. local time, the Yoshizawa family and millions of others were shook by the biggest earthquake in Japanese history.

A booth by the Association of Chinese Culture (ACC) and a Japanese club provided an outlet for Yoshizawa in the Lindbloom Student Center. On a table marked by a red sign that reads ‘Need Love,' a donation box stands between two posters where students could write words of encouragement.

When a passerby expressed skepticism at the thought of writing something down, Shawn Zhang, ACC officer, quickly persuaded them otherwise. "Seriously, man. Japanese students can't contact their family. They don't even know if their parents are alive."

Simultaneously, the other ACC members approached passersby to sign the posters or to donate.

"We are ready to do anything we can to help," said Darren Guo, ACC member.

"It's so very moving. Some students were touched to the point that they rummaged through their bags, emptying their wallets to help," he added.

Some students were surprised by Chinese students supporting Japan �" the two countries have a historically tense relationship - but ACC members explained this had nothing to do with politics.

"Love is out of order. Love is international. You can donate your love to anyone in the world, and Japan needs help," said Zhang.

Yoshizawa stopped by the table to write his own words of encouragement and gave money as well. "I wanted to do something. Donating is all I can do now."

The clubs hosted the booth for three hours on March 11, finishing with two posters and the collection box nearly filled. ACC members plan to raise money throughout Finals week and donate it to the Red Cross in Japan.

"[People] cared so much about how my family and my friends back home are doing. I felt so much better after they showed that," Yoshizawa said. "I just want to thank everyone."