Newspapers / Meredith College Student Newspaper / April 6, 2005, edition 1 / Page 5
Part of Meredith College Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
CAMPUS OPINION April 6,2005 5 Student Journal: Sri Lanka KELLY JONES Contributing Writer As I recall the sun’s re flection glistening in the indigo and sapphire hues of the Indian Ocean, I become angered at the recurring image of waves splashing against the cluster of rocks along the shore. 1 am re minded of the many help less victims begging for their stories to be told as we strolled along a dam aged coastline. Structure after structure still stands, but is barely intact. Tents have been built and clothes hang from what is left. I remember the sight of a bright yellow sandal bur ied beneath the sand. “Is this the shoe of a survivor or someone taken by the tsunami,” I asked myself. I remember being relieved ' ’''nof Fo' find the answer. The first day of the jour ney, I was captivated by the slanting coconut trees in the backdrop. As we continued our travel, I tried to recall the numerous sto ries of Survival and imagine how survivors clinched for hours on branches of coco nut trees. With each'passing tree, I tried to tell a story of how someone holding on with all their might could have outlasted the tsunami. Later I focused my at tention to the destruction along the shoreline. There are many tom roof tops and debris still lurks into the ocean. Demolished fisher men boats are lined along the coastline, one after another. The images from this trip that will remain through out my life will always be the big, bright eyes and beautiful smiles of each Sri Lankan I met. I remember the two lively 16-year old girls dressed in their crisp, white dress uni forms at a damaged school in Matara. One of the girls lost her mother in the tsu nami. I remember a young woman telling a remarkable story of bravery and surviv al. This young woman and her family hung onto the walls of her home when the tsimami struck her house. They all survived. I memorized her words, “If we ran, we would die.” Of all the words spo ken, I will never forget just four words whispered by a mother, “two daugh ters, tsunami, dead.” She holds two pictures of two little girls dancing. I am still heartbroken. The most profound was Theldeniya, where the well-photographed red train seen as sturdy and stable by 1,000 people was demolished by the tsu-' nami. Instead of finding safety, they died. It was heart wrenching to see the windows shattered, dam aged exterior and piles of train tracks. I reminisce of the woman and her hus band who walked up to me as I tried to grasp this reality. I was invited into, what they called, their “temporary home.” The woman informed me that she lost one daughter and two sons in the tsunami. Throughout this trip, I was constantly question ing how to respond. I hope they know that I listened to their stories and I will continue to tell their sto ries for them. They will al ways be with me and will forever be in my prayers. This has become a journey of the heart, rather than dis tance. I hope to help Mer edith College piu'sue its endeavors, as well as speak with anyone interested in tsunami relief A website was developed to display journals from the travelers. You can visit http://www. meredith.edu/tsunamire- lief/sri-lanka/default.htm. to read the journals. I hope the stories I have shared will influence others to be come personally involved. The tragedy of the Indian Ocean tsunami has dimin ished in the news and I hope our trip has helped Mer edith College become more aware and familiar with the victims of Sri Lanka. Tsunami relief Kick Off Please purchase your Tide of Hope Button and attend the Tide Of Hope Kickoff Friday April 8 at 1:30 to 2:30 pm in the amphitheatre by the pond. We will be carrying out a tradi tional Sri Lankan String Ceremony. All proceeds from the button sale go to our Meredith’s relief efforts in Sri I-^anka. All our welcome to the kickoff. Bring friends, family, classes... For more information email kenyong@meredith.edu If you need a cultrual event'to fulfill a con vocation, or an event for CORE attend the Hunger Banquet. Mon day April 11 6-7pm in the dinning hall. Cost: $5 or meal card plus a canned food item. Email Harrison@meredith.edu if you’re interested in purchasing a ticket or foi more information. 5 ’clock scholars presents Sylvia Huot Reader in Medieval French Liierature, Pembroke College Universiiy of Cambridge Thurs 7April 2005@ 5o'clockp.m. Qirswell Concert Hall, Wainwright Aladness in the Middle Ages: Marie’s Bisclavret In the Middle Ages, legends ofwerewolves vjere sometimes explained as resulting from a prm of mental illness called 'canine mama', Dr Huot will discuss these medical traditions as yyell as medieval literary depictions of madness, with particular attention to the twelfth-century werewolf story 'Bisclavret' written hy Mane de France. Free and open to the public. A reception for Dr Hiwt follows the talk. Event co-sponsored by Meredith College Medieval and Renaissance Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Honors, and the Departments of English, History & Politics, and Music. Information'. 760-8335.
Meredith College Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 6, 2005, edition 1
5
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75