(5/24)【English Info】 Rudi Maier, President of ADRA International visited Japan [2012年05月24日（Thu）]
〜Rudi Maier, President of ADRA International visited Japan〜
Rudi Maier, President of ADRA International visited Japan on May 14-17. Since he was appointed to be President in October 2010, he has been visiting offices of ADRA networks working in 120 countries and he has come this time to Japan to be acquainted with staffs of ADRA Japan and its activities.
ADRA Japan’s activity of supporting the disaster affected area in northeastern Japan has been supported by people from all over the world. Great amount of support has been given by people from all over the world through ADRA’s networks. On behalf of ADRA, we would like to express gratitude for kind and prompt assistance provided.
While Rudi had a chance of getting to know about the level of the disaster and the sign of reconstruction through the media, he came to have strong feelings after visiting and seeing the actual disaster affected areas of Sendai city and Yamamoto town.
On May 16, we were given an opportunity to give a radio interview at Ringo Radio (“Apple Radio”) of Yamamoto town to speak about such feelings. “Apple Radio” was named because apples are one of the specialty products of the town and also named after the old folk song called Ringo no Uta (“Apple Song”) which had encouraged the Japanese nation in the post-World War II era.
Rudi Maier and Shoko Hashimoto, ADRA Japan’s Program Director joined the program on the radio for about 20 minutes. We talked about our activities, how we saw the progress of recovery of Yamamoto town, and what comes in our mind after one year since the disaster.
Rudi Maier on the left, Shoko Hashimoto on the top right
Apple Radio) Ms. Hashimoto, you have been coming to this town frequently ever since ADRA Japan started working here. How do you see Yamamoto in the past one year?
Hashimoto) At the beginning, everyone must have been wondering “Who is ADRA?” Thanks to the acceptance by the people of Yamamoto town, we, ADRA Japan are here today to work together with you. What ADRA Japan aims is to achieve what the people of Yamamoto town think they need in order to restore their normal life, not just what we want to do for you. There are two ADRA staffs based here in Yamamoto, Hideo Watanabe and Chika Mihara. Your suggestions and ideas are highly welcome. Feel free to contact us any time.
Apple Radio) Mr. Maier, can we have the message from you for the people of Yamamoto?
Maier) The people of Yamamoto town have been taking a step towards recovery themselves. But, I would like to let you know that we, the people from the rest of the world are standing behind you. Instead of giving you my message, I believe you have a strong message to tell the world. After facing the disaster and living through the hardships, your experience of survival and recovery can be very powerful and strong messages. And I want you to let the rest of the world know one day.
During the short visit, Mayor and deputy Mayor of Yamamoto town were kind enough to meet us, too. They explained to us the level of disaster and damages in the town, and how the town is making a step towards reconstruction. We were able to exchange some views and future plans of Yamamoto town.
Mayor (left), Rudi Maier (middle), deputy Mayor (right)
Mayor kindly offered us some strawberries, another specialty product of the town. As we ate strawberries, sweet and sour fragrance wafts as if the efforts and the feelings of each resident of Yamamoto town were spreading.
We had also visited one of the temporary housing shelters. At the community hall there, residents of the area were gathering together over tea and enjoying chats among themselves. This get-together event is called “Ochakko” in northeastern region of Japan. This event has been organized by social workers to bring people in the same community together, instead of people spending the whole day alone in the small rooms. This is a forum where people can interact and bond each other. Rudi received a warm welcome from the people and enjoyed the cultural exchange.
Enjoyed talking to the local lady at Ochakko (get-together)
After the visit to Yamamoto town, Rudi visited ADRA Japan’s Tokyo Office and had a meeting together with the staffs. In addition to what we are doing in Yamamoto town, he was pleased to see how ADRA Japan is responding to natural disasters in different parts of the world. He concluded his trip by saying;
“As I have observed what Yamamoto has gone through and the signs of recovery, I strongly felt that the rest of the world could learn so many things from the experiences that each individual have in Yamamoto town. “
Mr and Mrs Maier with ADRA Japan staffs at Tokyo Office
ADRA Japan will continue working for the recovery together with the local community. And one day, we hope that we could convey those strong and powerful messages and experiences to the rest of the world.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
(12/22)【English Info】Emergency response in Japan vol.55 [2011年12月22日（Thu）]
On Dec, 10th a rice cake (mochi) festival took place at Okuma temporary housing in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture.
For everyone in Okuma this mochi festival is an important annual event at the end of the year. However, in the temporary housing they do not have the necessary tools for making rice cakes. While everyone was almost giving up the Mochi festival, the chairman and organizer of the temporary housing said: “we need to have this annual mochi festival to cheer up the inhabitants”.
According to the chairman`s requests, ADRA Japan provided with the support of many people the necessary materials to make rice cakes (mochi).
When one is suddenly forced to live in a strange place, it can cause great physical and mental stress as a result of the sudden changes of the surrounding environment. In such cases people can have a sense of security, if they regain a little bit of their original routine and habits. This is not only mentally, but also for a better physical health. By holding the annual rice cake festival in the temporary housing town, we hoped to encourage everyone and contribute to their mental health.
On the eve of the festival, when the ADRA Japan staff brought a mortar and 30 kg glutinous rice, the inhabitants had already gathered and welcome us kindly. They have been waiting for us with excitement.
On the day of the festival many people also gathered in the early morning. The preparation proceed steadily by steaming the rice, chopping the vegetables (for the New Years traditional soup) and making skillfully the rice cakes.
When white steam started rising from the steamer, and glutinous rice because nice and soft, finally the mocha festival began!
While the men enjoyed a competition to see who was the strongest by pounding the rice cakes, the ladies were chatting like fresh flowers by making the New Years meal, the elderly took a taster's role and teaching young generation how to make the New Year dish.
In addition to the New Year dishes, they prepared rice cakes with flour bean paste, radish, and, for the first time challenged by a ADRA Japan staff, with natto (fermented soybeans). Mocha made hand in hand by the people of Okuma tasted so good!
On that day six volunteer students from the Ochanomizu University also came to help. They provided hand and feet massage at the venue, and we enjoyed their laughter.
On the eve of the mochi festival the first snow was falling in Aizu-Wakamatsu. In Okuma, they have less snow. While they were thrilled by the beautiful mountains covered with snow, they were worried about the snow coming to their temporary housing.
ADRA Japan continues to provide its support as needed so that people can overcome a cold winter.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.54 [2011年12月19日（Mon）]
“With One Heart - The Community Market Festival in Yamamoto Town”
On 23rd of November, the market festival was held in Yamamoto town, as part of the program for the reconstruction of Yamamoto town. Each year, Yamamoto town organizes “the Community Apple Market Day” and “the Commercial and Industrial Festival.” This year, these two events were combined to the Yamamoto Community Market Festival. Also the food education was part of the program of the festival as well as the cultural festival. It meant all people in Yamamoto town held this event and participated with one heart.
In this festival, products from different part of Japan were also brought and sold. Charity market and the entertainment by children were also organized.
Many people came to this event including people of affected community, people from other towns, from young children to adults.
This festival also provided an opportunity for the people of Yamamoto town to meet after a while. Some people were so glad to meet their friends or neighborhood again because they had not seen each other since they took refuge on March 11 and moved to temporary houses.
People enjoyed the event by many ways. Some were cheered up by the dancing children, some appreciated the local products brought by different parts of Japan for supporting Yamamoto town, some were impressed by “the Harako Rice” that is famous local foods in season.
“The Harako Rice (Salmon roe and marinated salmon on boiled rice)” is one of the famous and local foods in Watari area, which are in season from September until December.
The Council of Social Welfare of Yamamoto town that is working together with ADRA Japan to support and reconstruct also put a booth. They manage the working place for disable persons called “the Studio Earth Village.” There they cook some foods using strawberries and apples produced in Yamamoto town. This time, they were selling “natural and homemade apple-pie” using apples recently cultivated.
Those from the Studio Earth village sold apple pie
I tried the freshly baked apple-pie. The texture of pie pastry and the taste of juicy apple matched well and I enjoyed it very much. This is the very popular sweets in Yamamoto town that were sold more than 10 thousands in a year.
During the early recovery days, the government officers from other municipalities and towns were sent to assist the work of Yamamoto Town Hall as helping staffs. Those officers returned to Yamamoto town for this event, selling local products from their own regions. The helping staffs were also a customer in ADRA Dining Hall and they came back to Yamamoto town again to participate in this festival.
Especially helping staff from Gunzyou city, Gihu prefecture loves ADRA Dining Hall. The other day they sent some presents and message card from Gunzyou city. At the Gunzyou city booth, they sold special dressing called “Kechadore” (it is new and tasting dressing based ketchup).
Helping staff from Gunzyou city, Gihu and staff of Yamamoto town (second from right)
In Yamamoto town, the memorial event for the victims was held on 11th of August. However, there had not been any festival since then. So they held this Community Market Festival to make bringing different people together as one. Again, some people met their friends for the first time at this festival after the disaster. I felt this is a good way to bring people together by holding an event regularly like this.
ADRA Japan keeps working for the reconstructing of Yamamoto town in cooperation with the town office, the Council of Social Welfare of Yamamoto town, NPO, companies, residents, and kind people supporting from all over the region. Thank you for your help.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.53 [2011年12月14日（Wed）]
~Disaster Volunteer Center in Yamamoto~
Currently, ADRA Japan has been also supporting the running of "Volunteer Disaster Center (Borasen)”, apart from the running of "Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Centre." What does the work of “Volunteer Centre?” Today, we will introduce daily activities and the work of Yamamoto Disaster Volunteer Center
Disaster Volunteer Center (“Borasen”) is the platform where the work of volunteers is encouraged in the time of disaster. In Yamamoto town, Volunteer Center was established on March 12, one day after the disaster occurred.
Volunteer Center set up with a mere tent
- One day in Yamamoto Volunteer Center-
8:00 Preparation of Volunteer Center The reception, the tent where the matching of work and volunteers will be made, and the container office where the volunteers will wait are set up. List of registered volunteers is checked. Equipment used for the work is also prepared.
The inside of the container used as waiting room for volunteers
9:00 Registration starts Some of the volunteers are waiting as early as 8:00 am.
The reception
9:00 Matching of work and volunteers The work requested by the affected community and the work volunteers can do is matched. The teams will be built according to gender, experiences, qualifications (e.g. carpenters...).
9:00 Sending out volunteers After the matching, volunteers go through an introduction to the work and about precautions, then sent to the work site.
A survey about the working places After volunteers start the work at respective places, staff from the Volunteer Center visit the work sites to do a survey. Also, they visit the clients in preparation for the tools and equipment for the next day.
15:00 - 15:30 Finishing the volunteer activities The volunteers, who have finished their works, return to the Volunteer Center. After they clean and return the tools, and present the work report, the work of volunteers for the day is finished. The volunteers once they finish the work get homemade Onigiri. (rice balls), prepared by Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center.
16:00 Cleaning up and preparation for the next day Tens and containers are put down. Documents and lists are prepared for the next day.
17:00 - Meeting Staff members of Volunteer Center get together and reflect that day by checking the reports of the volunteers and confirming the activities for the next day.
The Volunteer Center in Yamamoto town has been operational almost every day since the earthquake disaster but the role of center is going to be limited after November 20. The center stopped individual volunteers as of this day.
In this regard, November 19-20 was the last weekend individuals volunteers could come and register and help whatever requested by the people of Yamamoto town.
On November 19, came an incredible number of 370 volunteers! That was the highest since the beginning of Volunteer Center. There were six volunteers, who worked before between April and July in the ADRA Dining Hall, registered as volunteers on November 19-20.
After finishing the work on November 20, the Chairman of the Social Welfare Council of Yamamoto gave his warmth greetings and thanks to the volunteers, followed by an offer of refreshments such as soba (Japanese noodles) and nimono (cooked vegetable) meal for everyone. It was well appreciated by volunteers who had worked hard in a cold weather.
Our staff member Ms. Mihara (left) with six former ADRA volunteers
Until now, as many as 23,000 volunteers came from all over the region to help in Yamamoto town. Through everyone’s small assistance and contribution, Yamamoto twn is moving slowly towards recovery. The reconstruction work will not end, but together with the local community ADRA will continue doing our best to support the reconstruction.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.52 [2011年11月16日（Wed）]
Delivering goods to temporary housings in Fukushima
Supported by Japan Plat Form (JPF), ADRA Japan provides living necessaries for people living staying at temporary housings and privately-rented housings in Fukushima, in cooperation with Association for Aid and Relief Japan (AAR Japan). On 13th October, in Iwaki City, Fukushima, ADRA Japan delivered living necessaries (vacuum cleaners, electric fans, cooking pan and kotatsu) to the temporary housing areas (333 houses) where people from Hirono machi are supposed to move in. Although there were many temporary houses which were under construction, the delivering was proceeded at the rapid pace so that affected people can start living as soon as possible. Other than the stuffs from ADRA, Hirono machi town officers (five people), truck drivers (three people) and a staff from the supplier helped with delivery. Nevertheless, carrying heavy home appliances to all houses back and forth several times was so tough and a few hours after we had started carrying, we felt pain in our arms, shoulders and backs. However, there are several moments we could unwind ourselves such as when some firemen from Iwaki city helped with carrying along the way and when Hirono machi town officers offered us drinks. In a few days, many people will start a new life at these temporary houses. I wish people will find their way back to normal life as soon as possible.
Kotatsu (a small table with an electric heater underneath covered by a quilt), one of the Japanese home appliances we delivered. This is the heaviest and hardest one to carry.
Although the number is limited, we could find the step-free temporary houses.
Various kinds of home appliances were delivered.
A T-shirt from the Hirono Machi town office. It says ‘People all over Japan, thank you for the support’
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.51 [2011年11月07日（Mon）]
〜Assistance to hold a joint study day for the handicapped students〜
ADRA Japan has been working to support the students in Fukushima prefecture who have been forced to study in the satellite schools due to the radiation caused by the incident of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. (click here for the blog about our project on distributing bicycles to the students going to satellite schools). Today, we will report on the joint study day of a school for handicapped students who are studying separately in different satellite schools after the earthquake and the incident of the power plant.
Tomioka Care Nursing School, a school for handicapped students, is located within the distance of 20km from the nuclear power plant. People living in these areas have evacuated due to the danger of radiation. The students who used to study at Tomioka Care Nursing Schools are now studying at 9 different satellite schools. The second quarter of the school has already started and students seem to have settled and gotten used to their new environment.
However, no one knows when everyone will be able to go back to Tomioka town. Anxiety for the future is often heard. The parents and children are wondering when they will be able to go back and study at Tomioka care Nursing School altogether.
Under these circumstances, ADRA Japan helped the school to hold a joint study day, inviting all the students studying at satellite schools.
On September 2nd, the joint study day was held at Koriyama city of Gukushima Prefecture and totally 70 people including 58 students and teachers at Tomioka Care nursing School gathered. ADRA Japan provided a rented bus for transporting students from different locations as well as lunch boxes and snacks for the participants.
Students having fun with their friends in the swimming pool
A group picture with all participants
Happy smiles were witnessed among the children who were playing around with their friends that they hadn’t seen for 6 months. The school song was sung at the end of the meeting, which seemed to have strengthened the bonding with each other once again. We are happy that we were able to play a role to make this wonderful event that helped people who are going through hard times to feel the strong tie with others.
Later, we received a letter from the president and vice president of Tomioka Care Nursing School telling us how the joint study day provided each participant a good time. We were moved by the teachers’ strong attitudes continuing to teach students even at the satellite schools. They say the smiles of their students are the best encouragement for continuing their work during hard times. Tomioka Care Nursing School is planning to hold this joint study day periodically.
Under the continuing fear of radiation and uncertainty about the future, we will continue to make manifold supports to people in Fukushima so that they can get back to their usual life as soon as they can. We appreciate your help.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.50 [2011年10月31日（Mon）]
~Establishment of Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Centre …One step forward~
ADRA Japan is working with the Council of Social Welfare of Yamamoto town to support the community-building at the temporary housings and the operation of the Yamamoto town disaster response volunteer center.
We picked up the following voices from the temporary housing residents since this August through the various community events that we have organized, and also through the visits to the individual temporary housings with counselors.
・Although many organizations have come to help us, some of them left us with supplies without asking if we need them or what we need ・Some temporary housings are getting a lot of supports while the others are not receiving anything ・Being worried that there might not be any more organizations coming to support us after this Autumn ・Although many organizations have come to help us, it is difficult to know who they are ・Getting tired of managing the schedules and keys of the community halls at the temporary housings
Yamamoto town has been trying to solve the problem of unequal supports at different temporary housings. Yamamoto town has also been struggling to determine how to support the people to start their lives on their own feet. ADRA Japan has been consulting with the City Hall and the Council of Social Welfare to solve these problems.
As a result, “Yamamoto town temporary housings coordinating committee” was established to provide the opportunities for the representatives of the temporary housings and the Council of Social Welfare to discuss different issues. The committee has identified that there is a need for another coordination body to accommodate and coordinate organizations that are working at the temporary housings.
ADRA Japan came to an agreement with the Yamamoto town City Hall and the Council of Social Welfare to help the launching and management of the coordination body named “Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center”.
*Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center Yamamoto Reconstruction Center has its base at Yamamoto town in Miyagi prefecture. It is a coordination body that provides opportunities for all the actors who are supporting Yamamoto town to coordinate different activities for more efficient and smoother operation. These actors include the Council of Social Welfare, private companies and NGO/NPOs.
There are many elderly at Yamamoto town, and there have been concerns for lonely death (kodokushi) and health conditions among this population. There are many organizations that are supporting the temporary housings and it is important to have some kind of institution to make sure that these organizations are not overlapping their activities.
Followings are the Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center’s plans The theme of Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center is “with one heart”
1) Coordinate and share information on each other’s activities 2) Provide supports to the organizations working in the area 3) Respond to the continuously changing needs of the Yamamoto town residents 4) Watch and help the communities at the temporary housings 5) Collect and analyze data on disaster relief projects/ Plan and implement projects to support the self-reliance of the residents
ADRA Staff, Hideo Watanabe was inaugurated as the vice president of the Yamamoto Reconstruction Center.
On October 12, the container house that is going to be used as the office of the Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center arrived to the site. We are now preparing to open the center on November 1st.
Outside look of the Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center
The entrance
The office in the process of preparation (also used as the emergency supply storage)
The vice president of the center Watanabe (left), ADRA Staff at the Tohoku office Mihara (Right)
The counselors from the Council of Social Welfare will be working with us in this centre and will be carrying out door-to-door visit at the temporary housings. Yamamoto Reconstruction Center will support the community in more comprehensive ways.
ADRA Japan will help to manage the Yamamoto Reconstruction Liaison Center and continue our supports based on the voices and needs of the community. Thank you for your help.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.49 [2011年10月24日（Mon）]
〜 Speaking at a symposium on Great East Japan Disaster and NGO 〜
Monday September 5th, a symposium titled “Great East Japan disaster and NGO- with a global perspective” was held by The Canon Institute for Global Studies at Shin- Marunouchi Building in Tokyo. This symposium was consisted of two sessions, “Great East Japan Disaster and the reaction of the international cooperation NGOs in Japan” and “The world and the Great East Japan Disaster”. Our staff Hideo Watanabe, who is in charge of the disaster response in Japan, made a presentation in the first session.
Watanabe first introduced about ADRA and then presented about the disaster prevention activities and disaster drills expecting the Tokai earthquake which we have been working on, even before March 11.
After a brief introduction, Watanabe pointed out the three important points for the continuous supports in the devastated areas and the victims of the Great East Japan Disaster.
1. A long-term and continuous support will be needed 2. There is a need to cooperate with not only the local government, companies, and NPO’s at the sites, but also with the neighboring towns and communities widely 3. The victims of the disaster are the main actors of the reconstruction process and the supporters should be there only to back up and help them with their own work
The video that introduces our disaster relief projects at the sites was shown during this symposium as well.
The other panelists of this symposium were from JANIC (Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation), JPF (Japan Platform) and International cooperation NGO Peace Winds Japan. The representatives gave detailed explanations on the differences between the emergency reliefs at overseas and within Japan.
The questions such as the following were asked by the participants to the panelists.
Participant: “There must be a lot of challenges to regenerate the industries in the devastated areas that are facing serious depopulation and declining birth rates. What do you think about that?”
Watanabe (ADRA): “33% of the population in Yamamoto town is consisted of senior citizens. Only 10% of the former strawberry farmers are thinking of growing strawberries again. It is very important to build occupations and systems for the elderly to find their motivation for life, and to attract the young generation to work in the agricultural field.”
7 months have passed since that day of disaster. Numbers of symposiums like the one we attended this time are being held all over Japan. These symposiums do not only provide the chances to look back and evaluate the supports we have been providing at the sites, but also provides the chances for the companies, individuals, and the NGOs like us to exchange opinions and to build up future plans for the continuous support at the sites together. It is said that the true capabilities and qualities of the supports will be questioned now that more than 6 months have been passed after the disaster. The disaster relief must be driven from the needs and voices of the locals, not the strong passion of the supporters. It is very important to think together and make actions with the individual victims and local organizations at the sites.
ADRA Japan opened “Yamamoto Reconstruction Supporting Center (interim name)” with the Council of Social Welfare from October. We will support the victims to gain back their self-sustained lives with the other organizations and individuals that have been supporting Yamamoto town. Yamamoto Reconstruction Supporting Center will make their supporting programs based on Yamamoto town’s policies on their reconstruction.
Thank you for your warm support.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.48 [2011年10月13日（Thu）]
〜 Education equipment support for the schools in Fukushima prefecture 〜
Many of the education equipments in the schools around affected area were fallen down and damaged due to the earthquake in March. Broken equipments have a broad range of devices such as science experimental teaching materials like microscopes and beakers, sewing machines and cooking devices for home economics and organs for music classes. However, it is difficult to buy all the broken equipments with the subsidy from the government.
Thus, ADRA Japan has decided to offer materials such as sewing machines to the highly affected elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools with the financial backing given immediately after the disaster by Benesse Holdings, Inc.. Supported schools have been decided through the education committee of Fukushima prefecture and ADRA Japan has delivered education equipments to 31 high schools, 2 junior high schools, and 24 elementary schools.
For the severely affected 17 elementary schools and 1 junior high school in Koriyama city, ADRA Japan has provided 25 sewing machines. Due to this support, ADRA Japan was given a letter of appreciation from the mayor of Koriyama city.
Provided sewing machine – used for home economics classes
Program director, Hashimoto (right) attended at the appreciation ceremony on September 26th.
The letter of appreciation
It has been nearly 7 months since the earthquake. Second semester has started and children are gradually trying to find their way back to normal school life. I wish from the bottom of the heart that such equipment support can help children to lead fulfilling school life.
==================================== We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
Emergency response in Japan vol.47 [2011年10月11日（Tue）]
~Power of music~
ADRA Japan has been supporting the local communities at the temporary housings in Yamamoto town with the Council of Social Welfare. On August 25th and 26th, concerts by Trombone Quartet Sorriso (*) were held at five areas of temporary housings. (*Sorriso means “smile” in Italian)
The idea of holding this event was prompt by one lady who volunteered at the ADRA Dining Hall from April 6th to July 31st.
She had told us that she graduated a university of music and also that she still performs music. There was one time that she said “I wish there were chances for the residents at the temporary housings to listen to music” when we were talking with her. Just when we were thinking and waiting for a chance to hold an event like she said, this lady contacted us with her idea of holding a music concert. We worked together and were able to hold this event. Encounters and connections with people may lead to something wonderful like this.
The trombone quartet concerts were held in the following schedule. Each concert was about an hour long.
8/25 Thursday 10:00: Hakone area temporary housings 13:00: Uchide area temporary housings 15:00: Chomin field area/ North Chomin field area temporary housings
8/26 Friday 10:00: Former Sakamoto middle school area temporary housings 15:00: Takase area temporary housings
The songs played in the concert were well appreciated by people of all age groups. For examples, children enjoyed songs such as “Doraemon” or “Pitagora switch” while others enjoyed famous and emotional Japanese songs that move people’s hearts. In between the songs, one member of the music group entertained the people at the concert with his talk. His joke about his age invited laughter among the audience.
The community hall filled with audience
When the song called “Furusato”(*) was played, people started singing along with the tune and some of them even had tears in their eyes (*Furusato is a really popular song in Japan, whose title means “hometown” in Japanese). Every concert ended with encores. All five concerts were huge success.
It was the first time for me to listen to a live performance of trombone quartet, and this experience made me realize the power of music once again. The music group who held the concert made time to come to Yamamoto town in between their busy schedule. Their performance carried their strong feelings and messages to the residents at the temporary housings.
The members of the Trombone Quartet Sorriso
The performers of the concert are working as professional trombone players.
ADRA Japan will continue supporting and promoting the local community in Yamamoto town. We appreciate your continuous support.
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We appreciate your continuous support and assistance to the people affected by the disaster. You can also support by donating to ADRA through credit cards, bank transfer and postal transfer.
Bank name: The Bank of Mitsubishi Tokyo UFJ (0005) Branch: Omotesando (133) Account number: 1956381 Swift code: BOTKJPJT Account name: ADRA Japan
Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please also mention your address, phone number, the date and the amount transferred.
[Postal transfer]
Account number: 00290-2-34169 Account name: ADRA Japan Please mention [East Japan] in addition to your name. Should you require the receipt, please mention so.
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