After disaster shook the foundations of Japan last Friday, N.C. State students are stepping up to offer aid and support in creative ways.
In a joint effort between the Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service and Student Government, students are working together to implement Origami Wishes: Japan Disaster Relief.
The idea, taken from the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, aims to raise money through activities around the University, money that will then be sent to the Red Cross of Japan.
Hunter Isgrig, director for Leadership Development within CSLEPS, and Olivia Desormeaux, executive assistant in Student Government, are student co-chairs for the relief initiative.
According to Bryson, due to the heavy costs associated with goods sent to other countries, the initiative can only send monetary aid.
“CSLEPS is working with international groups around campus to raise money for Japanese relief,” Bryson said. “Basically, we can’t do any food or clothing donations, just because taxes and exports are so high, so we can only do cash donations, which Japan is prepared for. They just need the money to get jump started again.”
This is not the first time CSLEPS and Student Government have worked together to help disaster victims.
“This is a traditional thing for CSLEPS and Student Government. We teamed up to do Howl for Haiti and Wave of Hope to help with the Haiti earthquake and the tsunami in Sri Lanka,” Bryson said. “It’s historical for us and CSLEPS to team up for this endeavor.”
This effort not only consists of CSLEPS and SG, but also several other organizations, both on and off campus.
“CSLEPS is working with Japan Club, Student Board of Directors, NC Japan Center, and other local organizations that are not directly affiliated with the University,” Bryson said.
Students, professors, and natives of Japan said they are grateful for the help their country is receiving. Ako Fukushima, a Japanese professor, said she appreciates the effort the University is making to help the disaster-stricken country.
“I know N.C. State’s Student Government is now working so hard to help Japan,” Fukushima said. ”I appreciate all people who are worried about my country.”
Yukina Arima, a Japanese international student in political science, also said she was very grateful for the support.
“I really appreciate American support. I heard American relief [parties] rescued the victims and are helping solve the [problems with the] nuclear plants in Fukushima in a lot of media in Japan,” Arima said. “As [for] the University’s response, I am really glad to hear they are trying to support.”
Arima said she is glad no one she knew was directly affected by the disasters.
“Fortunately, none of my family, friends, [or] acquaintances were affected,” Arima said. “Some of my friends who live in Tokyo said they were in trouble when the transportation was being stopped, but it was not so much trouble.”
Campus groups are encouraged to plan their own events to raise awareness and funds for those in need in Japan, and Bryson encouraged students to contact existing organizations providing relief in order to find out how to get started.
CSLEPS and Student Government said they hope student will want to get involved and help the people in Japan. Money can be dropped off at the CSLEPS office in 3115 Talley Student Center.
Even though she is far from home, Arima said she still donated money to help as much as she could.
“I hope Japan will rebuild as soon as possible,” Arima said. “If there is [any way] I can help, I want to do something with the university relief party.”
