Tsunami Relief Week took place this past week to raise money for and awareness regarding the recent disaster in southeast Asia. The series of events that week followed a widely attended forum that was held at the beginning of the spring semester.
The original forum created the momentum that has led to the formation of two separate groups, the Wesleyan Tsunami Relief Campaign, run entirely by students, and the Tsunami Relief Committee, comprised of both students and administrators. Both groups worked in conjunction to plan and organize the week.
“I think it’s been really successful,” said Aparna Iyer ’08, a student coordinator of the event. “Since it’s been so centrally-organized, we’ve been able to achieve much more; the focus of the group was that much stronger.”
The events, along with an ongoing bake sale, have raised approximately $1500 thus far, according to Iyer.
The week’s activities began on Monday with an opening ceremony in Olin Library during which pamphlets and other literature were handed out to spread awareness about the relief effort and methods of donation.
On Wednesday, a Vespers service was held at the Memorial chapel, which included a non-religious candlelit ceremony to honor the tsunami victims and the survivors. People shared their thoughts on the disaster, which was followed by a moment of silence.
A vegetarian dinner was held at Earth House on Thursday, and the proceeds went entirely to the Tsunami Relief Campaign.
Saturday offered a three-group improv comedy show in the Westco Café. Here, Desperate Measures, Gag Reflex, and New Teen Force each performed a half hour sketch. The room was at full capacity and over $900 was raised. On that same night, a folk music concert was held at Earth House. Another event sponsored by Tsunami Relief Week was an international dinner, which was held in the MPR Monday night.
The week will conclude with a party at Psi U this Friday. The event was originally scheduled for February 4 but had to be postponed until Feb. 11.
There remain several upcoming events planned to raise additional funds for the relief effort. An a cappella concert is planned tentatively for Feb. 25, and a tag sale and raffle are also being worked on.
Though there is more to come, the student-run campaign has already been successful in their goals.
“It was really a significant effort,” said Laura Stossel ’07, a Tsunami Relief Committee member. “Many people contributed many, many hours.”
While the campaign was titled “Tsunami Relief Week,” members of the group were quick to note that the week does not encompass the scope of the effort continuing to take place on campus.
“The campaign will definitely continue through April,” Iyer said. “It may even go through the fall. As long as there is a need for assistance, we will help.”