By: Jasdeep Sandhu
We have just past the decade anniversary of the gigantic Japanese earthquake/tsunami which occurred on March 11, 2011. A force so strong, it not only shook Japan, but the rest of the world along with it. If you were over the age of 10 you probably remember what you were doing that day, and every news source providing updates on it for weeks afterward.
On that day, a 100-year-old Clock was stopped by the jolt, as one of it’s parts must’ve been knocked out of position. After this the clock has rested at an antique store to present day. However, this year on February 13th, nearly 10 years after, Japan was struck with another Earthquake, while it was not as damaging as the massive quake of 2011, it still created fear. Many scientists believed this was still an aftershock of the original one. This aftershock must have been the correct amount of force needed, as it somehow turned the clock back on.
The 58-year-old antique store owner claims this as a sign of restoration. World-wide efforts were made to assist Japans efforts in cleaning up the nuclear damage, along with providing aid to those who lost their homes and businesses. Although, the lasting impacts have still been lingering, in cases like this we must look towards instances such as the clock for hope.
At times we all fail to consider our privilege, and the fact that everything around us, the things, people and places we take for granted can be taken away at any moment. For the families who were impacted by the Tsunami, they are still dealing with radiating damages over a catastrophe which occurred 10 years ago.
Consider Ajin and Ajitha, 2 children who’s father fought had a damaging fight with the same element, water. Early last year, their father who is a fisher man, got into an accident while on his boat. This left him with a severe head injury and a leg with multiple open fractures, due to this he had been unable to return to work or provide for his famaily.
Incidences such as this compared to the Japanese Earthquake are similar in the sense their impacts may be felt for years to come. During his recovery, he fell into a coma which prolonged the period the children were at school as they couldn’t afford school fees. To this day his prognosis is uncertain.
But: “Education is the key to opportunity. It's a ticket out of poverty” – Barack Obama
There situation was made aware to us, and ever since we have been paying Ajin And Ajitha’s school fees along with hospital bills for their father.
No one can be certain of the future, but we can help those who are struggling in the present, and hope we get the same treatment in times of trouble. When in a war against the elements, the outcomes are unclear, often the damage is done and will affect everything around us for good deal of time. However, in the case of Ajin, Ajintha and their family, your donations provided us with ability to restart their clock which had momentarily stopped working, just like in the case of the Japanese clock. Restoration is possible.
References:
Clock stopped by Japan earthquake restarts decade on. (2021, April 14). Msn. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/clock-stopped-by-japan-earthquake-restarts-decade-on/ar-BB1fEzMv
