The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 55
December 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Want to do something with Moms and Dads”
Kids Christmas Party
“Want to do something with moms and dads.” Oya Community Center had always been holding an annual Christmas party. However, the community center was not functioning until recently due to the disaster this year. “Want to do something with other moms and dads.” It was the voice of one of the local dads that triggered the Christmas event to be held once again.. On 18 December, around 40 elementary school kids attended the event.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 54
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Come Visit Us” “We Will”
‘AndeNet Exchange Program’
On December 14th, 2011 an exchange event between ‘AndeNet@ Ooya’ and ‘AndeNet@ Yamada’ was held in Yamada City of Iwate. ‘AndeNet’ is a community created by group of women who is making acrylic scrubber. People in this community have the same feeling, “want to do something for the victims.”
This exchange event started from one of the mother, who lives in the temporary house in Ooya, suggesting they should go somewhere with the money they have earned from selling the scrubber.
In the early morning, 14 members gathered and departed from Kesennuma to Yamada city, a three hour ride. 30 members have gathered to this exchange event, each community bringing in the scrubber they made. At first, everyone was exchanging opinions about their products, but eventually started talking about the disasters that the major earthquake has caused. After the event was over, each one traded their phone numbers and email address, which we believe is a good opportunity to keep this community running.
One mother said these kinds of events will help us leave our house. Everyone was busy managing their own lives right after the disaster and did not have much opportunity to think about going outside the city.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 52
19 November 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“8 Months from the Disaster. Transitioning with the Season.”
Playing with Nuts
On 15 November, SVA attended “Aki-no-Asobikai (Autumn Play Event)” class at Oya Elementary School in Motoyoshi town, Kesennuma-city. This was the second “Aki-no-Asobikai” class of the week. There were many familiar faces since SVA, together with IPA Japan, is operating a children’s playground near the elementary school.
Children played with toys made from pinecone they picked up during the previous class. They enjoyed activities such as “Pinecone Rocket”, where pinecones are thrown against a target, and “Leaf Fishing”, fishing for leaves using a string-tied magnet.
One of the student volunteers shared an episode with us where one of the children gave him an Origami gift. When he thanked the child and said “I will take this back home” and he was asked ‘You have a home?’ and made his heart ache. 8 months have passed since the disaster and many people live in temporary housings but these houses are considered purely temporary by many and are not the same as their true houses that they used to live in. Next week, children are planning on play with children from Oya Pre-school with their hand-made toys.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.51
17 October 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Buddhist monks from Hamamatsu-city visiting Kesennuma”
Open the temple to anybody
We visited two temples in Kesennuma-shi on 13 October 2011 with four Buddhist monks, who are members of Soto-shu Hamamatsu Youth Organization in Hamamatsu-city in Shizuoka prefecture. Hamamatsu-city is located near the coast area, which is a similar environment to Kesennuma-city, and is predicted to get tsunami damage caused by Tokai Coast Earthquake. Therefore, the Buddhist monks came to hear the story about how each temple in Kesennuma works as evacuation center after the earthquake, in order to apply their experience to predicted disaster from Tokai Coast Earthquake.
The temple that we first visited was Kofuku Temple, which is located in one of the most damaged area from the earthquake. According to the monk of Kofuku Temple, since the elementary school is closely located, many school children came and evacuated in snowing. Those children played outside, and voluntary helped other people during staying in the temple. Their volunteer spirit helps people get together as a team in the evacuation center. Also, they prayed and chanted a Buddhist sutra for many victims at the cemetery, in which the victims are temporally buried.
The temple that we visited second is Sensen Temple, which is located in Motoyoshi-town in Kesennuma. More than 400 people were evacuating there. According to a chief monk of Sensen Temple, it was predicted that the earthquake would hit Sanriku area more than 90% probability, and he expected to open the temple as evacuation center. Therefore, he started repairing the temple, and prepared for the predicted disaster in advance. One of Buddhist monk from Hamamatsu Youth Organization said, “Their story makes me enhanced. I want to visit here next time too.”
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.50
13 October 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Transformation of Volunteering”
The Symbol for Revival of Town - Acrylic Brush
The members of “Ande-net@Otani”are knitting “Otani Globefish.” The members consist of the residents, who live in temporary housing located at Otani elementary school and Otani junior high school in Motoyoshi town in Kesennuma-city. The members gathered at Otani community center on 29 September, 2011.
The activity started when Ms K asked SVA volunteer staff to provide knitting wool. The project originally started when the acrylic brush was presented to the people who moved from evacuation center to temporary housing. The idea of Otani Globefish comes from the symbol of Globefish Motoyoshi town in Kesennuma-city. Casual tea ceremony event of “Nondenet” was also held on the same day.
“Ande-net@Otani” started from the middle of June, and it currently has approximately 10 members, who live in temporary housing at Otani elementary school and Otani junior high school, including Ms. K. According to Ms. K, “some of them are enjoying knitting to kill boring time at temporary house. The money raised from sales is used for utility expense, supply expense, and any activity expense for community room. In addition, Ms. K and other members are planning to go on a one-day trip to a nearby hot spring. Ms. K said that it is important to have something that she can concentrate on, since it is easy to lose interest to anything. Ms. K also said, “I want to recruit more people.”
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.49
October 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“To be ‘Someone to talk to’ – Visiting from the Neighbor Town”
Evacuated by jumping on a car
Mr. Sato, who is a volunteer member of “Bor Pennang,”has been regularly holding tea ceremony events with friends at evaluation centers and temporary housings in Kesennuma-city since April. Mr. Sato himself was “affected by the disaster in Kamaishi-city, Iwate prefecture.” He continued, “I wanted to do something that I can as one of neighbor residents in Tohoku area. I had experience volunteering at hospitals providing teas for patients and their families and thought I can do something similar where I can talk with and listen to victims. He is visiting Kesennuma-city in Miyagi Prefecture from Iwate Prefecture almost every week.
Going forward, he said, “we want to expand our activity to more local and women associations. It is difficult to know what they want from us and what we can do for them. As a result, we don’t know what we should provide and support. On the other hand, casual tea ceremony event is simple. No special skill and no special equipment are required, and anyone can join in, no matter what generation they are. It also gives people the opportunity to find and talk to others of the same generation.”
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.48
September 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Fishermen cannot live in the Mountains”
Fishermen who have lost their ships
The ‘Fishermen’s Hammock’ project has been drawing a lot of attention. The project started in early August at Seiryoin evacuation center near SVA’s Kesennuma office by several fishermen who lost their ships from the tsunami. What triggered the fishermen was a foreign volunteer visiting the evacuation center who requested them to make a hammock.
The fishermen’s hammock is made using a unique method that fishermen use to create fishing nets. Around 10 fishermen gather around to collaborate and make hammocks.
We interviewed Mr. O, who had lost his job at a seafood processing factory from the disaster. Mr. O once worked as a tuna fisherman and is now utilizing his experience to make the hammock. He works very diligently and appears very satisfied as he tries on a completed hammock.
<p>Hammock makers working in an area which once was used to dry rice</p>
Picture captions:
Hammock makers working in an area which once was used to dry rice
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 47
11 September 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“6 Months from the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake”
Our sincere condolences to the victims of the 11 March Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake. We pray and hope for an early recovery of the affected areas.
SVA has established offices in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture and Tohno-city, Iwate prefecture, and have provided aid to the victims since the March disaster. Our initial activities were focused on emergency relief such as rations and soup kitchens.
6 months have passed since the disaster and the affected areas have slowly begun to restore. However, the lives of each of the victims still have a long journey to recovery and require ongoing support. Sadly, the emotional wounds will never heal. SVA is committed to working closely with the locals in providing ongoing support. Our upcoming activities are scheduled as follows:
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 46
2 September 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"Struggles Of The Female Student Volunteers in Kesennuma-city"
Becoming an SVA volunteer to learn about NGO activities in the disaster affected regions
Sachiko Sugiyama, a college student from Tokyo, first joined a volunteer activity at SVA's Kesennuma office on 23 April. She attended a 5-week program through "Your for 3.11 (a student organization established after the disaster to dispatch student volunteers to NGOs and volunteer organizations in the affected areas)" to volunteer in Kesennuma-city where rubbles were still left untouched.
In the early stage of the program, electricity and water had not yet been restored and volunteers themselves had to live in an environment similar to the victims living at evacuation centers. Although she had been studying international cooperation in college, this experience must have been a challenge for Sugiyama-san.
She later went back to Tokyo on 31 May to her usual school life but felt strongly about wanting to work in restoration activities with the people of Kesennuma for a longer period of time. She had given up her apartment in Tokyo and requested to re-join the SVA Kesennuma office as a long-term volunteer from 10 August through to the end of March next year. She is deeply involved in the restoration with the locals today through activities such as visiting temporary housing.
Trusted from the locals
Student volunteers at most organizations usually are only on short-term assignments, on average between one day and one week, and we are often told by the victims and regional office staff that they are "sad that the student volunteers are gone soon after (they) get to remember their names." As one of the very few long-term student volunteers who have been actively providing support since shortly after the disaster, Sugiyama-san is very strongly trusted by the locals. She also contributes greatly in coordinating between communities that tend to have strong bonds within the community and difficult to collaborate with other communities. Sugiyama-san is known "to listen well and easy to talk to" and has become an indispensible figure in the SVA Kesennuma office.Young energy necessary for the restoration of Kesennuma
Kesennuma is famous for its fishing industry but it's also been known for having the second highest aging population ratio (36% of its population in 2008 was of the age of 60 and above) in Miyagi prefecture. Moreover, young people who have lost their jobs from the recent disaster are leaving Kesennuma. Energy and support of the young people are critical in the restoration of the region. Volunteer activities that the SVA Kesennuma office provides are needed to make up for the temporary loss of such young power. SVA volunteers, including Sugiyama-san, have provided various activities such as organizing regional summer festivals at 5 locations in memory of the disaster victims and in prayer of restoration. SVA will continue to provide long-term support in restoring Kesenumma to allow young people to regain hope and to come back to the city.■Profile of Sachiko Sugiyama■
Name: Sachiko Sugiyama, 23 years old
Hometown: Nara prefecture
Education: 4th year at Takushoku University,
International Department, International Cooperation Major
Hobby: Member of the Expedition group at school
(Picture caption: Sachiko Sugiyama helping children with arts and crafts at a local summer festival)
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 45
25 August 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"New Connection after the Disaster"
Revival Festival of Hiraiso
On August 14th, 'Revival Festival of Hiraiso' took place at Motoyoshi-cho of Kesennuma. Silent prayers to the victims of 3/11 disaster and the hope of revival took place during the festival. Many will greet the first Bon this summer, but after 5 month after the disaster, there are still a lot of families still missing their family members.
Hikado Festival would usually take place during this time period but this year, the 'Revival Festival' performed by three regions; Maehama, Hikodo, and Taka was held. Citizens and volunteers from the three regions got together and opened small shops at the festival.At the stage of the festival, many performances such as the Dance of Tiger performed by "Hiraiso Toramai Hozonkai", Song for Large Catch which is the traditional local performance was shown. Since there are still rubbles everywhere on the beach, people were not able to enjoy these performance near the beach like they used to do but many people have gathered and enjoyed the festival.
With the Local People
Hiraiso, where the festival took place is one of the region where our SVA Kesennuma office is located and also where one of our employees, Kasahara lives. Upon opening this 'Revival festival', he got together right away with the local people and also gathered his friends to clean up the beach to create a space for this festival.
"Right after the disaster, the festival was set to be cancelled but the three regions got together and worked hard to open this festival to give hope and shine to people" said one of the local men.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 44
24 August 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"What We Can Do Today For Children Who Bear The Future Of The Region"
Educational support provided at an elementary school
From 1 August through 11 August, educational support was provided at Kesennuma-city Koharagi Elementary School in Karakuwa district. Due to the impact of the disaster, the commencement of the spring semester at elementary and middle schools was delayed and the summer breaks have been shortened. In order to alleviate teachers' concerns about coursework delays, the educational support program was lead and provided by SVA student volunteers.
Children spent their time in various ways during the program, including drawing pictures of creatures in the rice field as part of their summer homework, playing the piano, and playing hide-and-seek. On 11 August, the last day of the educational support program, some children had asked the volunteers sadly "Will we not see you anymore?""Is tomorrow the last day?"
Koharagi Elementary School is located in a district with relatively small number of children with around 60 students. Fortunately, all of the students survived the earthquake and tsunami disaster but approximately 30% of the students have lost their homes. According to the teachers, some of the students who attended the educational support program have had their homes washed away and have just recently been accepted into a temporary housing after hopping from one evacuation center to another. The teachers were also worried that "some of the students may be trying hard not to depend too much on their parents and families, given that many of the fathers are working away in Tokyo and the grandparents being ill."
Upon accepting the educational support program, the vice-principal of the elementary school had spoken to us about his thoughts on the students and wanting to "do what we can today for the children who will bear the future of this region in 10 to 20 years. We, as teachers, are responsible for educating them on how to survive through these difficult situations." The educational support programs are not only a place to look at children's studies but it also gives opportunities for children to express their feelings that they may not usually have a chance to release.Collaborating with Kesennuma-city and city volunteer organizations
For 3 days from 29 July through 31 July, SVA collaborated with Kesennuma-city, the city's Disaster Volunteer Center and various volunteer organizations in the city to perform traffic-control during the issuance of the disaster relief payments. Approximately 9,000 households in the city are eligible for the disaster relief payments. Congestion was expected and we had gathered at 2 venues in the city at 7am for the traffic control. Approximately 7,500 households had visited during the 3 days to receive the disaster relief payments.(Picture caption: In front of Kesennuma-city Disaster Volunteer Center "Sukoyaka")
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 43
20 July 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“A new place to Live Together”
Connecting the Generations
On July 9th, we opened the Sky Café and conducted a ‘Nagashi Somen’ (Flowing noodle) at the children’s playground called Asobi-ba- in the Otani district. Water-slide for Somen, approximately 8m in length were made a day before by cutting the bamboo in half. About 40 adults and children gathered to enjoy the café and the ‘nagashi somen’.
Among the people who have gathered to this event, some child said it is their first time trying the ‘nagashi somen’, and one grandmother said ‘eating outside can make you eat more than you can usually eat’. One even brought his own noodle soup labeled ‘This is delicious’ saying “these days, many children only knows the taste of what is sold in the supermarket, so wanted to show the real taste of the traditional noodle soup made from dried small sardines”.
The playground is becoming a place where not only children interacts but a place where connects all kinds of generation together.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 42
11 July 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Support For An Evening Cooling Event” (11 July 2011)
‘Jinbei’ was the trigger
‘Jinbei’ (traditional summer garment) for children, which were donated by a professional Sumo wrestler, Takamisakari, were recently delivered to Magome Pre-School, Tuya Pre-School, and Tsuya Daycare in Kesennuma-city. As we entered July, the temperature during the day in Kesennuma reaches close to 30 degrees Celsius and is getting hotter each day. One of the pre-schools we delivered ‘Jinbei’ to, Magome Pre-School, was initially uncertain of whether to have the evening cooling event this year. However, the teachers became motivated to go forward with the plan once they saw children happily wearing ‘Jinbei’ together.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 41
4 July 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“A Fun Moment With Everyone” (4 July 2011)
A ‘Rakugo (Japanese comic monologue)’ Moment
On 22 and 23 June, a Western Rakugo performer, Mr. Shichifuku Katsura, visited Kesennuma-city and performed at Karakuwa, Kesennuma, and Motoyoshi evacuation centers. Mr. Katsura was originally visitinig Fukushima prefecture when he was approached by a long-time SVA supporter, Renge International Volunteer Association from Kumamoto prefecture, and had decided to extend his trip to Kesennuma.
As we were preparing for the performance at the evacuation center, we were spoken to by evacuees who were very much looking forward to the performance and had said ‘we usually can’t see live Rakugo unless we go to Sendai.” Everyone enjoyed the performance which consisted of a Tohoku region-based act and a comical act between a shop-owner and a customer. People gathered around for a chat and tea after the performance. Rakugo had provided a moment filled with smiles.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 40
29 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“100 Days after the Great Disaster”
Over Coming the Disaster
On June 18th, SVA vice-chairman Gidou Sambe opened a seminar ‘Overcoming the disaster’ at Toyomazawa multipurpose meeting hall in Kesennuma City. This day was the 100th day after the disaster happened, which we call ‘Sokkokuki’.
Sombe during the seminar said: “Sokkokuki means to stop crying in Kanji, but we should not forget about the people who have died from this disaster. However we should stop counting what we have lost but need to make this day to rethink what we have earned from the disaster.”
Sambe also mentioned about the ‘Property of Life and Rights of Life’, which is the old saying from Taiwan. Property of life means that all people have destiny and there is nothing we can do about it. On the other hand, Right of life means each one has the right of how to deal with their ‘Life’. He continued by saying “Each one of you became the leader of story of how we overcame the disaster that is said to be once of 1000 years hundred years ago.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 39
27 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Place to Connect, People to Connect’
The Signboard is Ready!
The ‘Blue Sky Café’ was opened at the Otani public hall of Kesennuma City on June 16th. With the support of the SVA member from Hamamatsu city of Shizuoka prefecture, distributions of foods were done at the same time. Otani public hall is still used as a refuge even 3 month has passed from the major disaster. Many people from other regions out of Onati districts lives in the temporary shelters that are build in the field of Otani middle school right next to the public hall. We have started the ‘Blue Sky Café’ and set some chairs and tables between the public hall and this temporary shelter to provide space for people to build new communities. And since the café is close to the elementary school, children started to gather around the café, first wanting to know what the café was doing, and eventually adults too started gather around. Many started using the space to communicate about their recent situation.
As the shelterbelts were destroyed by the major tsunami, cold winds were blowing in but as mid June have passed, finally Kesennuma is starting to become warmer.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 38
24 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Makenai! Towel”
Heart Connected by the Towel
On June 8th, the distribution tour and live of the “Makenai” towel was performed at four refuges and temples in the city. (“Makenai” meaning unbeatable or never to lose).
The idea of “Makenai” towel was brought up by Gido Sambe, SVA vice-chairman right after disaster, when he was shuttling back and forth from Yamagata where his home town is to the refuge many times thinking ‘Isn’t there anything possible that can make the victims and those who support them have the same feelings?’
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 37
16 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Kite With Hope” (16 June 2011)
From Rubbles to Hope
On 4 June, a kite-making event was held at Toyomazawa multi-purpose hall. The materials for the kite were bamboo that were torn by the tsunami and had become rubbles. Children drew pictures and wrote about their dreams and hope on the canvas. The kites flew high up in the sky carrying children’s dreams and hope.
Some children wrote their dreams as “joining the defense force” or “becoming a firefighter.” This area is still has no running water and is dependent on the daily water supply by the defense force. It took 
some time for the kites to start flying but children got a hang of it after awhile and were running around with their kites.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 36
15 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Filled With Laughter” (15 June 2011)
Together with Local Social Entrepreneurs
On 2 June, a Rakugo (Japanese comic monologue) event was held to coincide with the opening of a community café “Chaya Tree” by a local NPO, Network Orange. 3 Rakugo performers, Mr. Utanosuke Katsura, Mr. Yuhei Shofukutei, and Mr. Rochiku Shofukutei, visited from Osaka in response to an invitation from an SVA staff in Yamaguchi prefecture. Apparently, this was their first performance in the Tohoku area but the 3 performers and their acts quickly got laughter from the local audience.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 35
5 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Beach Clean-up Activities” (5 June 2011)
In an effort to bring back the once-beautiful beach
From 31 May through 2 June, approximately 30 volunteers from Yamaguchi prefecture, consisting of college students and workers, came to Kesennuma-city. The volunteers were involved in various activities such as clean-up of the beach in Toyomazawa district, clean-up of collapsed shrine gates, and soup kitchens.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 34
01 June 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Makes People Happy when Drinking Tea Together” (01 June 2011)
Join the group togeher
On 27 May, volunteers of ‘Boupennyan Tohoku’ (volunteer of priest of super-sect in Iwate prefecture) and SVA held a ‘Gyoucha’ in the gymnasium of Koizumi High School where is now used as a refuge. During ‘Gyoiucha’ not only coffees and teas where served to the refugees but volunteers also interacted with them.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 33
29 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Blue Sky Café, where children participates” (23 May 2011)
Blue Sky Café, which opened in the site of rice cake making rally
On May 21st, rice cake making rally was held in the playground of the child (also known as ‘asobi-ba-‘, where the Japan adventure playground-making society in Kesennuma City manages.
About 200 people from the region and evacuation center participated in the rice cake making rally.
The rally was so prosperous that 17 kilo of glutinous rice which was prepared for this day was gone by noon. SVA held the ‘Blue Sky Café, inside the hall as we did on the Children’s Day, May 5th.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 32
27 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Away From Day-to-Day Activities” (27 May 2011)
Away from the Day-to-Day Activities
With the help from Mogami town in Mogami county Yamagata prefecture, refugees from evacuation centers and homes in Motoyoshi district were invited to Akakura hot springs in Mogami town.
The trigger for this event was a Mogami local who participated in a soup kitchen in Kesennuma-city and later negotiated with the town mayor.
Total of 138 people, including married couples and families, attended.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 31
25 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Happy You Are Here” (25 May 2011)
Children from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) Refugee Camp, and Afghanistan, where SVA is providing educational and cultural support, have sent messages to encourage children in Japan.
Messages from Children in Cambodia
The gymnasium of Hashikami Elementary School was used as a mortuary after the disaster. The school building was affected by the earthquake, such as cracked walls, and some of the classrooms can no longer be used. When we visited the school 2 months after the earthquake and tsunami, children were busy preparing for lunch time. As we handed over the messages from Cambodia, the vice-principal had told us he will let his students know that encouragements are coming even from afar.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 30
23 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Jonathan, Kesennuma Popular Volunteer” (23 May 2011)
Seeing the tragedy on T.V. News of Canada
Jonathan who lives in Frederocton Newbrunswick, east coast of Canada, could not stay still when he saw the tragedy news of Kesennuma, where he spent as an exchange student in high school.
He resigned his job in Canada and by March 28th came to Japan and rushed to Kesennuma.
At first he worked on debris removals and coordinated volunteer troops under the Kesunnuma Volunteer Center.
And is now working as a volunteer of SVA which have opened a volunteer office in Kesennuma, where he was introduced by priest Kikuchi of Houkyouji, who he had build friendly relationship while studying aboard in Japan.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 29
13 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Blue Sky Café and Concert on Children’s Day” (13 May 2011)
“Our Playground!”
On 5 May, SVA held a special Children’s Day event “Blue Sky Café and Concert” at a children’s playground (known as “Asobi-ba”) in Kesennuma-city. “Asobi-ba” is a unique playground that International Play Association (IPA) has created, with the support from local landlords, to offer a place where children of Kesennuma-city cand play safely. The playground consists of various activities that children can enjoy out in nature such as a hand-made giant slide, crayfishing, and cooking with wildflowers.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 28
8 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Meal From The Soup Kitchen Is The Best Feast” (8 May 2011)
SVA is providing soup kitchens in Motoyoshi district, Kesennuma-city.
Soup Kitchen at Oya Community Center
On 3 May, a soup kitchen was held at Oya Community Center in Motoyoshi district, Kesennuma-city. Approximately 60 people are taking shelter at this community center.
Elementary and middle schools in front of the community center are in the midst of constructing temporary housing while enormous volumes of rubble remain untouched by the adjacent riverside.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 27
6 May 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“A Place Where People Unite” (6 May 2011)
A Place Where People Unite
On 4 May, a Children’s Day event was held at Toyomazawa multi-purpose hall in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture.
The event was full of activities such as English lesson by a SVA volunteer who has been visiting from Canada since the disaster, soup kitchen, ‘all-you-can-grab’ pencils provided by people from Katsushika-ku Tokyo and Kanagawa prefecture, and various arts and crafts.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 26
30 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Communication through Bathing” (30 April 2011)
SVA is running shuttles buses to and from bath houses for those people who are unable to bath due to lifeline damages.
Please Draw a Beetle!
Bathing services that were provided by the city of Kesennumay, Miyagi prefecture will end in mid-April. The bathing demand continues to be high since many evacuation centers and neighborhoods are still suffering from power and water outages.
SVA is running shuttle buses to and from hot springs. On 21 April, we offered opportunities for people from Yotomazawa and Hayashi-no-sawa evacuation centers in Motoyoshi district to bathe in Ichinoseki-city. The refugees also enjoyed a relaxing time after the bath.
People were relaxing in their own ways after bath and lunch. One girl suddenly walked up to an elderly woman and asked “please draw a beetle!”
The elderly woman is a formerly school teacher and she was happy to draw per the girl’s request.
The girl’s mother had watched her daughter chat joyfully with the woman and joined the conversation, creating cross-generational communication.
The mother said “my daughter seems to have cheered up after taking a bath. She’s also very happy to be treated so nicely by the elderly lady!”
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 25
27 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Brightly and Powerfully toward the bright future -'Tomorrow'” (27 April 2011)
Sets of School Supplies Were Delivered as New School Term Started
SVA has worked with both the Board of Education of Kesennuma and Miyagi prefecture, and sent out 19 sets of stationeries such as pencils and notebooks to 11 different schools in the Kesennuma-city, which covered about 1,764 students as the new school term has started.
Staff from SVA has attended the opening ceremony of one of the school which has received the stationeries. During the ceremony, one of the children said in this speech “I could not wait for this day to come as the spring vacation of this year was longer and was not able to meet my friends for a long time.” describing his feeling to the new school life which has just started.
Mr. Wakabayashi, president of SVA visited the Matsuiwa elementary school and read a message from the children of Laos (which SVA supports education) that all children of the world are cheering and are there to support.
One of the teacher of Matsuiwa Elementary school said “I am too one of the victims but am doing my work of school, even though I am staying in the shelter of this school”
As the school has started again, the teachers will start becoming busy, and what we can do is only pray for their good health.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 24
21 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Smiles and Laughter” (21 April 2011)
At an evacuation center that we visited 3 weeks after the disaster, an SVA staff member spoke with an elderly woman. The elderly woman had told us “I’ve been waiting for someone to speak to me. I feel good now that I have had the chance to speak. I have been hesitating to speak to volunteers because they all seem so busy.”
As we provide supplies and soup kitchens, SVA tries to take moments to listen to the refugees.
The need to think about Independence
We held a soup kitchen at Kojyuen in Rikuzen-takata city, Iwate prefecture on the 20th. Kojyuen is a special nursing home which has become an evacuation center where the director and staff are highly dedicated and have been continuing to accept refugees.
Refugees were notified by the government to begin thinking about how to live independently after the 2 month mark from the disaster. A man, who had come to pick up his meal, however, had told us that many of the refugees at this evacuation center are still visiting morgues in search for their families and have not time to think about independence.
The man said with a sigh, “This evacuation center is filled with people who have lost their families and relatives by the tsunami. Even if they wanted to think about independence, their workplace and jobs have also been lost by the tsunami.”
Others said, “The tsunami took away my family. I am lucky that their bodies were found. People who are able to hold memorial services for their families are fortunate.”
For refugees who are visiting morgues after morgues in the cold snowy weather, warm meals seem to give them comfort and open them up to start speaking to us.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 23
20 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Delayed Commencement Ceremonies” (20 April 2011)
Elementary and middles schools in Kesennuma-city will commence the new academic year on 21 April. Pre-schools are also planning to re-open at the same time and preparation took place.
Sludge Scraping and Cleaning at Otani Pre-school
We helped with cleaning at Otani pre-school in Motoyoshi district, Kesennuma-city on the 17th. Teachers, parents, firemen and SVA staff members over 100 people gathered to help the pre-school prepare to welcome children who are eagerly waiting to attend the pre-school.
In the morning, water was poured in the classrooms and sludge was scraped using brushes. In the afternoon, documents and teaching materials were carried to the classrooms and those that were exposed to water and no longer usable were taken out.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 22
18 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“New SVA Office in Kesennuma-city” (18 April 2011)
When and Where to Live
SVA held a soup kitchen at an evacuation center in Tsuya district, Kesennuma-city with volunteers from Funagata town, Yamagata prefecture. To liven up the evacuation center, rice cakes were prepared from approximately 5 gallons of sticky rice. Rice with natto (fermented soy beans), rice-case soup and pickles were served to refugees as well as neighbors still suffering from water outage.
With support from the mayor, refugees, whose houses have been fully destroyed, will be moving into nearby rental housing.
(Picture caption: Locals making rice cakes with volunteers from Funagata town, Yamagata prefecture)
A month has passed since the disaster. People want to take a step forward in hopes of living independently and away from the prolonged evacuation life. Temporary housing, although rent-free, are uncertain as to when they will become available. On the other hand, existing rental houses will create financial burden. Many people are struggling to make their decisions.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 21
14 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Delivery of Vegetables” (14 April 2011)
Delivery of Vegetables
On 13 April, we delivered vegetables from Kesennuma-city’s disaster volunteer center to evacuation centers in Motoyoshi district.
More than a month has passed since the earthquake and the refugees have been suffering from shortage of vegetables from prolonged evaluation life.
The refugees were very happy to have vegetables delivered and the elderly especially enjoyed tender turnip, Chinese cabbage and green onions.
(Picture caption: SVA staff member delivering supplies to Mr. O, supervisor of the multi-purpose venue in Hama district)
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.20
13 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Children at the Evacuation Centers and an Evaluation Center at a Crematory” (13 April 2011)
What We See Through Our Routine Visits to the Evaluation Centers and What We Need to Consider
Delivering supplies to evacuation centers is not just about handing out goods but it’s also a great opportunity to listen to the refugees and to identify their needs.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.19
12 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"Pray for Japan - Prayers from Cambodia" (12 April 2011)
SVA provides educational and cultural support in Thailand, Cambodia, Loas, Myanmar (Burma) refugee camp, and Afghanistan. People in each of these countries have proactively been involved in fund-raising activities for Japan.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 18
11 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Month-long Disaster” (11 April 2011)
It has been a month since the Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake. There are still large aftershocks on a daily basis occurring in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture where SVA is based. Especially the aftershock late at night on 7 April impoverished people both physically and mentally. We hear from the people of Kesennuma-city that they “can’t feel hope when thinking that there’s no end to this life.”
They are in a situation where they’ve had a disaster lasting for a month rather than a disaster which occurred and passed by a month ago.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 17
8 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Mothers of the Fishing Village” (8 April 2011)
It is now 11:40pm on 7 April and there had just been a big earthquake. We received an earthquake warning alert on our mobile phone. There had apparently been an earthquake off the shore of Miyagi prefecture. Telephones and the internet are out of connection. We are currently in fear from not knowing the impact of the quake. We had been talking with the people of Kesennuma-city that there may be a big aftershock within a month from 11 March but the quake which just occurred was large and had lasted for a long time.
Within the darkness from the blackout, we continue give our thoughts out to the victims of 11 March.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 16
2 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“We Are With You! From Mae Sot Near Myanmar Border” (2 April 2011)
SVA provides educational and cultural support in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar (Burma) refugee camp, and Afghanistan. In each country, local residents are voluntarily leading charity drives for the victims in Japan.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 15
6 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Food Disappears Once Eaten But Stories Remain In Your Memory” (6 April 2011)
On 5 April, SVA conducted interviews in Kesennuma-city where SVA is based.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 14
3 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Children are the Source of Energy” (3 April 2011)
SVA, who provides educational and cultural support in Asia, plans on delivering soup kitchens and rations as well as providing mental care for children in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture. Interviews were conducted on 4 April at Osabe Elementary School evacuation center in Rikuzen-takata city, Iwate prefecture. We plan to visit evaluation centers and children’s halls in Kesennuma-city tomorrow.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 13
1 April 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Sickness Due to Lack of Vegetables” (1 April 2011)]
A soup kitchen was held at Yonezaki Elementary School in Rikuzen-takata city, Iwate prefecture yesterday where rice and miso soup with pork and vegetables were prepared and delivered to Kojyuen, a nearby special nursing home.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 12
31 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Soup Kitchen and Current Conditions in Kesennuma-city” (31 March 2011)
The following is a report on the current conditions in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture where SVA is based, and our soup kitchen activities in Rikuzen-takata city, Iwate prefecture.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 11
30 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
"Providing Soup Kitchen Without Electricity" (30 March 2011)
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, has started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake. Based itself in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture, SVA is currently supporting warm meals and other relief supply. SVA's activities cover from the northern part of Miyagi prefecture to the southern part of Iwate prefecture. Mr. Shunko Chino, SVA Executive Director, delivered supplies to 2 evacuation centers in Kesennuma-city and investigated the current conditions of Rikuzen-takata city.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.10
28 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Kesennuma-city Disaster Volunteer Coordination Center Established”(28 March 2011)
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, hast started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.
Based itself in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture, SVA is currently supporting warm meals and other relief supply.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.9
25 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Now its Our Turn to Return the Favour” – From Slum in Bangkok, Thailand” (25 March 2011)
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, hast started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.
SVA operates aid project in the field of Education and Culture in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar/Burmese Refugee Camps and Afghanistan. Now in those country and area, people started fund raising campaign voluntarily. Report from Campaign from Slum area in Thailand.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.8
24 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Supply of Relief to the Isolated Evacuation Center on the Perch”
(24 March 2011)
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, hast started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.
Based itself in Kesennuma-city, Miyagi prefecture, SVA is currently supporting warm meals and other relief supply.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.7
23 March 2011, Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
“Report from Watari district, Miyagi Prefecture”(23 March 2011)
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, hast started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake.
Report from Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture
This is report from Ven. Bunmei Hayasaka, Director of SVA, who live in Yamamoto-cho, Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely devastated by Tsunami.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.6
22nd March 2011
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
Smiles Appear at Warm Food and Hot Water
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, has started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto earthquake.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol.5
21st March 2011
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
The Situations of Evacuation Sites –The Acknowledged and the Unknown
The Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally since the Hanshin Awaji Earthquake of 1995, has started supporting victims of the great Tohoku Kanto earthquake.
SVA has based itself in Kesennuma city, Miyagi prefecture, and is currently distributing warm meals and other provisions.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 4
PRESS RELEASE 19 March 2011
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
The Situations in the Northern Part of Miyagi Prefecture and Southern Part of Iwate Prefecture and the Basis of Our Operation
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally, has started supporting people suffering from the great Tohoku Kanto earthquake.
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 3
Impression after the visit to Kesennuma-shi, Miyagi Prefecture and Minami Sanriku-machi, Motoyoshi-gun （17 March 2011）
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which initiated domestic and international emergency relief in 1995, after the great Hanshin earthquake, has started supporting people suffering from the great Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami.
Scenes from Kesennuma-shi, Miyagi Prefecture and Minami Sanriku-machi, Motoyoshi-gun
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 2
PRESS RELEASE
16 March 2011
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA)
The Great Tohoku Kanto Earthquake News Release vol. 2
Existing Survey in Rikuzen-takata City
Shanti Volunteer Association (SVA, President: Mr. Kyoei Wakabayashi, Add: Shinjuku-ku Tokyo Japan), which has been implementing emergency relief domestically and internationally, has started supporting people suffering from the great Tohoku Kanto earthquake.
Need to repair roads to transport goods
Mr. Yoshimichi Sanbe, SVA vice president, went to Rikuzen-takata city, Iwate prefecture on the 15th of March to collect information.
Most of the buildings which the Tsunami missed still stand, however, after the Tsunami line almost nothing exists as before. The city center was utterly destroyed and has only a few buildings standing. It is a vast expanse of bleak plain continuing to the horizon.
