UofT mourns tsunami victims

More than two weeks have passed since tsunami waves devastated countries on the coastline of the Indian Ocean. On January 10 a memorial service took place in the Great Hall at Hart House to remember the tragedy that was brought upon millions of people as their cities, homes, and loved ones were lost. The Memorial Service for the Tsunami Disaster was open for the entire UofT community to attend. Students from Leslieville Public School came to watch their classmates perform traditional gamelan music. As people entered the Great Hall, music of the Gamelan Ensemble welcomed them. This type of music originated from the indigenous people of Indonesia and relies on highly coordinated group interaction to create a melody. Children in the ensemble played metallophones, xylophones, and gongs while their conductor played a bamboo flute and drums. The incorporation of traditional gamelan music was important in remembering the culture affected by the tsunami.

A brief introduction was made, explaining the four condolence books that were set up in the foyer. Once signed, three of the books will be presented to the Consul Generals of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The fourth book will be presented to a graduated UofT student whose parents went missing in the tsunami. Interim President Frank Iacobucci then provided the opening remarks, reflecting on the people lost and missing in the affected countries.

Following the introductions, reflections were made by Geoff Wichert, Coordinator of the Campus Chaplain's Association, Nurcahyo Basuki, a doctoral student in the Department of Geology, Yoshani De Silva, founding member of the UofT Buddhist Student's Association, and Professor Michael Donnelly, Director of the Asian Institute.

Wichert and Donnelly both addressed the devastation caused by the tsunami and reiterated that help is needed. Wichert advised those who are experiencing a spiritual crisis from the tsunami situation to keep a journal, share their stories, and avoid isolation. Donnelly stated that it is a given that other disasters will make headlines in the news, but UofT's commitment to the tsunami relief effort must be long-term. Both speakers concluded that compassion is an asset in assisting Southeast Asia.

Basuki and De Silva provided a different angle on the tsunami. Not only did they offer a student perspective, but a cultural one as well. When reflecting upon his home country, Basuki, from Indonesia, said the tsunami was "the most frightful moment in our history." At the memorial service, he mourned for those who lost families, homes, and dreams. He said that he is saddened that "dreams of a better life, having children, and grandchildren were all lost."

Moreover, Basuki is concerned about children who survived the tsunami whose parents were less fortunate, yet he knows there is hope for the children in Banda Aceh because "families take orphans under their wings as if they were their own children, but never claim them [officially] as their own." Basuki ended by thanking Canada for its commitment and support.

Similarly, De Silva shared a personal story about her family when the tsunami hit. She is from Sri Lanka and was unable to get in touch with some of her family at first. When she finally reached them by telephone, they described a scene of utter chaos to her. De Silva said "people do not want to go home to see where their children were last playing" and "fishermen do not want to fish [because] people do not want to eat fish that could be feeding on their loved ones."

She described how Buddhist monks in the affected countries who usually travel around cities asking for food donations are instead asking for money. There are also two Buddhist temples in Toronto that have been collecting supplies and monetary donations. De Silva concluded that funding is not the only donation that is needed in the tsunami relief effort, but "psychological support is needed as well."

Provost Vivek Goel provided the closing remarks for the service and suggested that an early warning system is needed for the Indian Ocean, much like the one that exists in the Pacific Ocean. He estimates a system for that region would be half the cost of the one located in the Pacific.

To conclude the service, there was a moment of silence before a final gamelan performance took place. UofT offers many resources for those seeking counseling and support in relation to the tsunami disaster. A listing of support organizations for staff, students, and faculty as well as a listing of organizations collecting donations can be found on the Vic website at:

www.vicu.utoronto.ca/English/Tsunami-Victims-Remembered.html