After the devastating earthquake and tsunami that unexpectedly struck Japan over Spring Break, the rest of the world has responded with aid and support. For Japanese students studying at Ball State, raising money for relief efforts helped provide a sense of comfort in a time of tragedy.
Ball State's Club Japan started fundraising for relief efforts in Japan as soon as students returned from Spring Break. One of the ways they have been able to raise money is through bake sales.
"That made my heart warm because a lot of people donated money and a lot of people bought cookies," Machiko Hayashi, Club Japan member and exchange student, said.
Hayashi's brother was taking an entrance exam in Tokyo the day the earthquake hit. Hayashi said her mother could not contact her brother for five hours because the phone lines were down, and he had to walk for three hours to his hotel because the transportation system in the city was shut down.
Although she later found out her brother was safe, Hayashi said she and her family will not forget how worried they were during those five hours.
Hayashi said although the past several weeks have been distressful for her, she appreciates the support she has received from Ball State students and faculty.
"I got a lot of emails from teachers and friends here. After the earthquake, they were worried about my family, and I thank them a lot," Hayashi said.
Through Club Japan, members like Hayashi have been able to work with other universities to raise money through The Million Crane Project. Started by Princeton and Stanford universities, the project was inspired by the Japanese legend "senbazuru," which says anybody who folds a thousand origami paper cranes will receive a wish.
Thirty universities, high schools and organizations are involved in the origami crane initiative. Those involved aim to fold one thousand paper cranes by May 11, two months after the earthquake struck. They also hope to display the cranes in museums in Japan and the U.S. after reaching their goal.
"...I feel like for the sake of Japan, many people are [coming] together for a purpose. That really impressed me," Kaname Naito, Club Japan member and exchange student from Japan, said.
Japanese exchange students at Ball State are hopeful that with the help of other countries and a united sense of purpose among Japanese citizens, their homeland will recover from the crisis.
"After the earthquake hit Japan, almost everyone had one certain purpose. I feel like when trying to overcome the difficulty, Japanese people are more tied or united," Naito said.
To get involved with fundraising efforts, email Cal Meyer, president of Club Japan, at clubjapan@bsu.edu.
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