Aid organizations worldwide are contributing to the relief efforts, delivering food, clothing, shelter and health care to victims of the tsunami. Over Interterm, students at the College also began organizing tsunami relief efforts. The student response was immediate and continues to play a role in many students' lives. "As soon as the tragedy happened we began talking about what responses would be appropriate," said President Anthony Marx.
Though still in the planning stages, the student efforts will gain momentum on campus as students settle in for the semester. Viet Do '06, one of the organizers of student efforts, described the brainstorming process. "We are having a meeting ... to determine the specific ways to raise awareness and money on campus, as well as establish a short-term and longer-term plan on how to use that money," he said.
Do is enthusiastic about initiating a campus-wide effort. "I am also hoping to work with the administration so that this becomes a true Amherst College project which involves every member of the community," he said.
Marx also encouraged input from the Amherst community at large. "We will be as responsive as we can be and look forward to people's suggestions," he said.
Laura Kim '06 is working with Isuru Seneviratne '04 and Chanin Changtor '06 in an attempt to put together a delegation of Amherst students to volunteer in the southern and southeastern regions of Asia. Seneviratne and Changtor are from Sri Lanka and Thailand, respectively, countries both hit hard by the tsunami.
With the help of other students, alumni and other resources on campus, the three are currently searching for aid organizations willing to host such a volunteer delegation.
"We're still in the midst of searching, keeping in mind that the affected countries are currently in need of immediate, large-scale, professional help," said Kim. "We're waiting for things to settle down. When the effort becomes more organized, we students hope to be able to give a helping hand."
Marx urged the need for earnest efforts and compassion in the coming months. "We need to be responsive ... and to recognize the common humanity of everyone affected by the tsunami," he said.
Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities and the Campus Center Samuel Haynes heard of students' ideas to aid in the relief effort and came up with a plan of his own. One of his staff members suggested that the proceeds from this year's Casino be donated to tsunami aid organizations. The idea was met with approval among the Campus Center staff. Haynes then contacted the student organizers of this year's Casino to see if they would support the idea. He found that they did. "Thus our plan is to make Casino the big event and hope that others come on board with the idea," said Haynes.
Changtor said that students plan to set up donation jars across campus and ask people for donations at major events. The students involved in this effort say they are also planning a tsunami victims weekend in coordination with local restaurants. If Amherst students dine at participating restaurants during the scheduled weekend, the restaurants will contribute 10 or 15 percent of their profits to tsunami victims.
"This involves me personally because my country was affected, so I really wanted to be part of the relief effort," Changtor said. "There is still a lot that needs to be done towards addressing victims' needs for food and clothes, and Amherst can help fulfill those needs."
It is important to Changtor to maintain awareness of the disaster. "After the initial relief efforts, the momentum seems to have waned. It's very important to keep awareness going because rebuilding the community is important."