Personal tragedy inspires motivation to help

Between finding ways to assist victims of the tsunami tragedy, conducting interviews for television, radio and print, and a part-time job with Physical Plant, Noor Nizam finds a moment to reflect on the tragedy that claimed the lives of 98 members of his extended family.

When asked how he is coping, he says humbly, “I try not to think about it.” Right now his thoughts are on how to help the survivors of the crisis that claimed more than 150,000 lives in Southeast Asia on Dec. 26. Specifically, his thoughts are on his hometown, Kinniya, Sri Lanka, which he left four years ago when he moved to Canada.

Today (Monday, Jan. 10), Nizam will speak to the McMaster community at a Tsunami Relief Benefit Rally hosted by the McMaster Students Union. Other speakers include President Peter George and a representative from the Canadian Red Cross. The event will take place at 12 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre marketplace.

Displays from clubs representing many of the countries affected by the disaster will be set up at the event. As well, donation boxes and tax receipt information will be available.

Nizam, a part-time humanities student and teaching assistant at McMaster, puts his hope in the University community, which, he says, already has given so much. But an urgent need still exists, he adds, especially for medical supplies and support. As a result, Nizam calls on doctors and third- and fourth-year medical students to travel to south Asia to assist victims. He also encourages faculty, staff and students to donate money or time to the cause. “I want McMaster to come forward and help,” he says. “Every little bit that you give means so much for these countries.”

More than 40 student groups have collaborated with the McMaster Students Union (MSU) to raise money to donate to the Canadian Red Cross. To date, more than $7,000 has been raised through collections at an information booth in the McMaster University Student Centre and through the Student Union and Titles bookstore charity program, Round-up.

McMaster has donated the use of its phone centre located in the Downtown Centre for a Red Cross Phonathon in support of the Tsunami relief efforts. The phonathon will be broadcast live on CHTV on Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 6 a.m. to midnight.

Volunteers are needed to staff the phones during the phonathon. Those interested in volunteering for one of a number of different shifts can contact Eric Gitao at ext. 24617. Volunteers are especially needed for the 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to midnight time slots.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, a benefit night will be held at Quarters, the MSU bar and restaurant. All proceeds from the cover charge and prize draws will support the efforts. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there will be a $4 cover charge.

The Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) McMaster, of which Nizam is a member, will also contribute to the tsunami relief effort at a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 5. There will be a silent auction, food and entertainment, to support two organizations: the Suriya Women's Collective, in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, and Caminamos Juntos Para Salud y Desarrollo, in Tlamacazapa, Mexico. The fundraiser will be held at the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn Street South at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

MaCycle is accepting bicycle donations, which will be provided to survivors in south Asia. Donations can be made at the MaCycle office located in the basement of Wentworth House.

Nizam is working with Health Partners International of Canada, to attain much-needed medical aid for survivors of the deadly tidal waves. Physician packages are expected to include antibiotic, analgesic, antiparasitic and antimalarial medicines, oral and intravenous rehydration fluids as well as a variety of supplies such as surgical masks, gloves and dressings.

He also is organizing a walk from Hamilton to Ottawa to meet Prime Minister Paul Martin to thank him for his response to the tragedy, but to also remind him that more needs to be done.

Nizam encourages people to contact him with ways they would like to help. He can be reached at nmmnizam@hotmail.com or 905-527-0932.