I don’t often post these months, but I’d like to take this opportunity to give a silent remembrance and prayer to the people of Japan who had suffered a major lost last year due to the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011 and the nuclear power plant leakage that ensued.
It takes great strength to build back from zero (or perhaps minus, in this case), and I salute the Japanese (and people of other nationalities living there) for going hand-in-hand helping each other in the midst of the disaster.
The plight is still ongoing now. I just watched Channel News Asia who reported the difficulties of mothers trying to supply their families with uncontaminated vegetables from areas faraway from Fukushima (where the nuclear reactors melted down). Then the news also interviewed a local Fukushima farmer who suffered because no one bought his products. And the children – many of them are orphans – who cannot play outside for fear of radiation. It’s cruel, it is really cruel. I could barely look at the footages of the adults suffering because of the triple disasters, let alone the children.
But if there is something ‘good’ coming out of this disaster, it would be that the Japanese know how strong they are, and that the whole world will never let them be alone in the dark. Also good in my opinion is the anti-nuclear movement in Japan and other parts of the world. God knows we do have global climate change to think of, and hence reduced footprints to target. But even that cannot replace safety. And to me, nuclear power plants are just a big NO for safety.
The Japanese are one of the smartest people on Earth. I trust they are more than able to produce green energy, if they truly want to. It’s up to the government to support the voice of the people and provide their brilliant scientists with opportunities and funding for a greener, safer future.
Pic: Pray for Japan
PS: for those who want to donate, Red Cross (International and Japan) and ‘Save the Children’ are two good, reliable outlets for your funding.
