Waking Up to a Tragedy
Acting Locally Can Make a Difference

By Jennifer Gioia, staff writer

While most of us were fast asleep in our new pajamas with full bellies from a long day of holiday eats, something happened that changed the world forever.

On December 26, a huge earthquake erupted in the Indian Ocean off Sumatra, Indonesia, causing the most devastating tsunami in history.

I groggily covered myself up with an extra blanket and turned on the television (the sounds always seem to comfort me back to sleep). As I rolled over and closed my eyes, ready to fall back in to my deep sleep, I heard disturbing news coming from the television—something about a tsunami, somewhere in Asia—but Asia seemed really far away from my cozy bed.

When I officially woke up, I found out about the destruction the tsunami had caused. I was horrified. I felt grief for people I had never met and for countries I had never seen. But I also felt thankful and appreciative for my own life and all the holiday kisses from family and friends. All the presents I had worried so much about giving and receiving during the holidays seemed unnecessary and over the top.

It's estimated that more than 226,000 people have lost their lives. The number is almost unimaginable. That's more people than would fit into five football fields. And the devastation didn't end when the tsunami did. It continues—children without families, families without food, people without jobs.

I want to help, but other than donating money, what can I do? I can't go over to Indonesia and hand out supplies. But…I can hand out supplies a local food pantry. You may think you can't make a difference, but even if you can't directly help the victims of the tsunami, know that there are people who need help everywhere—including in your own town. And even if you act locally to help others, you can make a difference that contributes to making the world a better place.

I told a few friends and colleagues about my plan to "think globally and act locally" and here are a few other ideas they gave me.

1. Read stories to kids at a nearby shelter, library, or community center.
2. Spend time at a community center with older people who have no family.
3. Read about and practice water conservation in your daily life.
4. Make a list of ten things you may take for granted but are really grateful for.
5. Write a thank you letter to one of the relief agencies providing assistance in Asia.
6. Keep up with your local news and identify opportunities to act (e.g., a local food pantry running low on stock or a family burned out of their house in need of clothes).

Sometimes the best way to deal with a tragedy is to speak up and take action. Let us know what you've done to help others, either globally or locally. The STUDIO 2B Web site is your space to voice your hopes and concerns. Send your thoughts about the Asian tsunami to submit@studio2b.org. What have you be doing do cope with this tragedy? What have you been doing to help? Some of your responses may be posted on the STUDIO 2B Web site in the future.