A month has passed since the catastrophic 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck Japan. Many thousands of people have lost their homes, their families, and their friends, and are trying to piece their lives back together for a better tomorrow.
During spring break, many were hard at work collaborating across campus to bring students and faculty together to assist the people of Japan. Many students were affected by this natural disaster, but some found that it hit especially close to home.
Grace Mukupa, the Graduate Student Association vice president and a second year Ph.D. student studying global gender, has come together with many other students and organizations across UB to set up "Healing through Light." This event will mark one-month since the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. On Monday at 4 p.m., a candlelight vigil will be held at Baird Point for students to wish the victims well and pray for their safety.
"I realized when things happen, you can't just sit back and let them happen," Mukupa said. "Sometimes it is the people with the least power who can do the most powerful things for the world."
Mukupa grew up in Japan and has many family members and friends who survived the disaster. According to Mukupa, reality hit when her cousin was missing and her family had to resort to Facebook to learn that he was unharmed. She remembers the many earthquakes she experienced while growing up in Japan.
"I would be lying in bed at night and see pictures moving on the walls," Mukupa said. "Instead of fire drills, we had earthquake drills in school."
These types of events were normal for Mukupa, her family, and many other people in Japan. However, the volume of the earthquake on March 11 was unlike any other.
"After all of this happened, I saw that President Simpson had sent a message to UB to pray for Japan, and I realized if you want to do something, than you've got to do it yourself," Mukupa said.
Weeks later, she created the "Healing through Light" event for UB to come together and unite as a family during these hard times. The event will be a way for students and faculty to join as one for a great cause. There will be a live band along with a spiritual candlelight remembrance ceremony. All proceeds will go to the Japanese earthquake victims through the American Red Cross.
Students and faculty can donate anything from blankets to clothing. For those students who cannot make it to the ceremony but still want to help out, GSA will have a donation box available on the third floor of the Student Union this week.
"I really want to reach out to students affected by all of this," Mukupa said. "I want to take care of them and create a home for [all international students at UB]."
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