Collection 10 times the amount reported two weeks ago

The University's Tsunami Relief Fund's donations have reached almost $2,700, said Mike Lawrence, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. That is more than 10 times the amount reported two weeks ago.

During the Thursday forum at the Student Center, students from the countries affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami said although the disaster left thousands dead and millions more without homes or food in South Asia and the eastern coast of Africa, many countries are seeing some good rise from the rubble.

The panelists were invited by the Institute to share the short- and long-term effects the tsunami has had on their respective countries. There are more than 400 SIUC students from the nations affected by the tsunami. Many of them shared how the devastating tsunami destroyed their countries' economies by wiping out industries such as fishing and tourism.

Timasha Udugama, the international aid ambassador of an organization that provides help to Sri Lanka, said his country is now stronger than it was before. "Our people have shown a remarkable resilience and an amazing determination to rebuild our lives," Udugama said. "No quake can shatter hope and no tsunami can wipe love."

Audience members fell silent as Ajay Ojha of India described the massive destruction the tsunami caused. Murmurs of shock rose from the audience as pictures like the close up of a child mourning in the aftermath of the tsunami appeared on the large screen behind the speakers. William Recktenwald, SIUC's journalist-in-residence, shared his story of the day the tsunami struck while he was vacationing in Sri Lanka. He said after the wave receded from the shore, the workers from the hotel were more concerned with their guests' well-being than their own.

He told a story of a British family who had lost their daughter, Esther, after the wave struck the shore. They had searched for her for hours with no luck. After they started their journey away from the coast toward a tea plantation where they were to spend the night, the group found Esther being held by two of the hotel workers in the middle of a crowd.

"We really didn't have a chance to thank the boys for what they did," Recktenwald said. "Everybody worked together. There was no anger." Panelist Sucheta Lele, an international student from Pune, India, shared a story of a family friend she lost to the tsunami. Though she shared details of how aid money is being stolen from those who need it and how taxes are increasing because of the damage, she also told of how such a disaster can benefit the world.

"People from all over the world come together and try and help each other," Lele said. "It's at times like this that the world unites and it really does seem like a global village." International student Benfano Soweito from Indonesia said even Indonesian rebels have agreed to quit fighting if the government provided them aid. As a result, Soweito said, Indonesia may now be at peace.

Bangladesh, a country that had been devastated by many hurricanes before the tsunami, has now developed techniques to save lives in case a disaster like the tsunami strikes again, said Shafiq Rahman, an international student native to the country. Rahman said the key to saving lives is to develop a warning system to let inhabitants know danger is coming, whether it is in the case of a hurricane or another tsunami.

The Tsunami Relief Fund will continue to collect donations through next week. Checks may be made out to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and dropped off or mailed to the Office of the Chancellor Anthony Hall Room 116, Mailcode 4304.

The Tsunami Relief Fund is still accepting donations. Donations may also be made at any International Festival event. Make checks payable to the US Fund for UNICEF.