Ochakko Mochitsuki Taikai

By Joji

Date: January 17, 2015
Location: Minato-ku, Ishinomaki (Ochakko)
Attendees: Maya, Rolf, Joji

The event was attended by approximately 30 people mostly elderly (2 children). It has been an annual event by the community since the building of the Ochakko community center and every year we have attended as participants.

The event itself was simply an omochi making event but was a great opportunity to talk to locals about their experiences over the past 4 years. It was good to sit down and talk and get a frank, realistic picture of life post-tsunami. In the words of one elderly gentleman, “Nobody is ever ready for something like that to happen in their lifetime, and I was alive during the War”.

It was quite encouraging that these people were in high spirits despite what hardships they had gone through. It was clear that they appreciated that we still took the time to visit even four years after the event where a lot of Japan has forgotten about them. It was a rewarding day and I look forward to going up again when I can.

３月１１日東日本大震災４周年のディナー：４年後の東北

非営利組織nadia for Ishinomaki が皆さんを3月11日東日本大震災4周年のチャリティーイベントに招待します。美味しいフランス料理と多文化の催し物が楽しめます。

2015年3月11日(水)19:30〜22:30

詳細については

Fukushima kids in Italy 2014 イタリアホームステイプログラム – レポート

２年目をむかえたイタリアホームステイプログラム”Fukushima Kids in Italy 2014”も多くの皆さまのサポートのもと無事に終了することができました。

2014年度は福島県内から25名（11名 – 2013年参加児童、14名 – 2014年新規参加児童）の子供たちがイタリアで夏休みを過ごしました。ホームステイを通して、子供たちは言葉の壁、文化の違いに戸惑い、悩み、悔しい思いを体験したことでしょう。そしてこの１ヶ月という時間とホストファミリーの深い愛情は、子供たちに自分の気持ちを伝える術と自分で考え行動する力を与えてくれたように思います。

[プログラム概要]

派遣滞在国：イタリア共和国ラツィオ州ローマ・カンパーニャ州ナポリ
派遣日程：2014年7月25日（金）～2014年8月22日（金) の1ヶ月間
プログラム概要：ホームステイ、日伊文化交流、課外活動等

事前研修　6月14−15日（東京）

１泊２日の研修で子供たちはイタリアの文化や歴史、イタリア語を学習しました。イタリアで初めてホストファミリーと会った時の挨拶や自己紹介、数の数え方、よく使う単語など子供たちの興味のあることを中心に進めていきました。
また、この研修で初めて親元から離れた児童も多く、自分で身の回りのことする、1人でベッドで寝るというイタリアでの生活を意識するきっかけとなった週末でした。

イタリアローマ空港到着　7月25日

到着ゲートにはホストファミリーが笑顔で子供たちを待っていました。子供たちは初めて会うイタリア人を前に不安と期待で胸がいっぱいのなんとも言えない硬い表情でした。

いよいよ彼らのひと夏の冒険が始まります！

ローマ日本人学校訪問（7月27日）

イタリア到着後、初めての集合日。子供たちは久しぶりに日本語を話せて嬉しそう。
到着してからの数日間の、困っていること、ホストファミリーに伝えたいことを私たちにマシンガンのように話しつづけました。ホストファミリーも遠い日本からやってきた子供たちの食生活、文化の違いに戸惑っている様子。情報交換の時間となりました。

到着してからの10日間、参加児童ほぼ全員、時差による体内時計の乱れ、食生活の違い、ホームシックなど急な環境の変化に戸惑い、悩んだ時期でした。

イタリアの思い出

イタリアに来る前あんなに勉強したのになにも言えない、伝えたいことがたくさんあるのに全然伝わらない…。イタリアに到着して数週間、ほとんどの子供たちが私たちにこう言いました。でも、子供たちは少しずつ変化していきました。それはホストファミリーの方々がいろいろな方法で子供たちの心を開いてくれたおかげでしょう。イタリアでお誕生日をむかえた子、ピッツァやパスタの作り方を学んだ子、毎日のように海やプールで遊んだ子、ハイキングに行った子、ホストファミリーと過ごす１日１日が子供たちの気持ちを前向きな気持ちへと変えていきました。

子供たちはマンマのパスタが大好き！みんなで一緒に食べる食事はいつも楽しい！

マンマに教えてもらったパスタちゃんと作れたかな？

ローマは１日してならず。すべての道はローマに通ず、など多くの格言にうたわれる街、ローマ。市内に古代遺跡が点在するこの街で子供たちは多くの遺跡を訪れ、大変興味を持ちました。

８月４日、アウグストゥス帝没後2000年を記念してプロジェクトマッピングを使ったガイドツアーに数組のホストファミリーと参加しました。古代ローマの英雄ジュリアスシーザー、初代ローマ皇帝アウグストゥスがスピーチしたその場所に自分たちが立っている現実に子供たちは興奮した様子でした。

帰国日、ローマの空港にて（8月22日）

日本帰国日、１ヶ月ぶりに空港で会う子供たちはイタリア語が驚くほど上達し、ホストファミリーとのコミュニケーションもスムーズで私たちはただただ驚くばかりでした。それぞれの夏の思い出を話したり、記念写真をとったりお別れまでの時間をそれぞれの家族で過ごしていました。
さよならの時、子供たちとホストファミリーが「来年また会おう」とハグする姿がとても印象的でした。
いつかまたイタリアに戻り、ホストファミリーと再会できることを心より祈っています。

日本到着、真っ黒に日焼けした子供たちは、笑顔いっぱいにお父さん、お母さんのもとへ帰っていきました。その表情はなんとなく自信に満ちていたように見えました。
言葉も文化も違う生活環境で日々悩み、考え、行動した子供たちを私たちは誇りに思います。そして、彼らの未来に心からエールを送ります。

最後に、本プロジェクトをサポートしてくださった皆さまに心より御礼を申し上げます。

[パートナー団体]
PUER Onlus www.puer.it

[サポーター企業]
Alitalia-Compania Aerea Italiana
Capital Group
Davis LLP
Japanese School in Roma
大熊町教育委員会
NADIAボランティアスタッフ

“Fukushima Kids in Italy 2015” でまたお会いできることを楽しみにしています。

Kamome Gakuen Playground Build

By Gentaro Tajima and Ron Choi

Figure 1. Michael Anop of Playground of Hope enjoys watching the children play on the completed play set.

Kamome Gakuen is a school for the disabled children in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture, in Japan. The school served as a shelter during the 3.11 triple disasters back in 2011. NADIA has a long history with the school, having had many volunteer events for the school in the past. On December 13^th and 14^th, 2014, NADIA volunteers, in partnership with the members of Playground of Hope (PoH) and It’s Not Just Mud (INJM), built a beautiful playground for the children of this school. It was the 7^th playground build for NADIA.

It was by far the most emotional of all the builds. Watching the children and the parents left many of the volunteers heart-broken. Many of the children had mental disabilities, and some of them are very severe cases. It was plain to all they had tough lives ahead of them. We were so touched by the dedication of the school staff that always kept it positive and never forgetting to smile. These children require extraordinary patience to look after them. We were glad to see the staff was more than up for the task. Some of our volunteers shed tears upon watching the children with the most severe mental disabilities, rendering them unable to move. Watching the dignity and positive attitude of the parents of the children left them inspired.

Figure 2. One of the school children and his teachers.

O.G.A. for AID, another Tohoku volunteer group, sent a Santa and presents for the children. All the children were very excited to see Santa, but patiently waited for their turn to receive their gifts. It was one of the highlights of the weekend. Both the children and the parents really enjoyed activities and food that were provided for the opening ceremony.

Figure 3. One of the school students enjoy making bubbles.

Figure 4. The children enjoy one of the games that were set up during the opening festivities.

JPMorgan Chase Foundation, through its Tohoku Fund, provided funding for the build. J.P. Morgan’s impact in the region has been felt by many in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures through its numerous volunteer trips and philanthropic activities. NADIA continues to organize events in partnership with socially conscious corporate donors like J.P. Morgan. These events are by far the best evidence of how corporations and non-profits can work together to make social impact.

Figure 5. Joji Hiratsuka, NADIA chairman, and Eriko Fukutani hard at work.

Figure 6. This is why we do it.

This was yet another well-executed event. We show our deepest appreciation to Playground Of Hope and It’s Not Just Mud staff for their hard work and a great execution. And to all the volunteers from NADIA who willingly gave their time and efforts on this project, we sincerely thank you.

Figure 7. Some people actually cried watching this. One cannot think of a gentler, kinder father than this gentleman. The three year old has the most severe mental retardation in the school. The father was about as pleasant as one can ever be. He had smiles throughout the entire day he was there. He is a better man than I am. Everyone was touched.

Figure 8. O.G.A. for AID, another Tohoku NPO, sent a Santa with presents for the disabled children.

Figure 9. Our volunteers hard at work.

Figure 10. Building a playground means lots of lifting assembling.

Figure 11. This is why we do it.

Figure 12. This is why we do it.

Morgan House Project

By Ron Choi

Figure 1. Morgan House, which completed in February 2014, serves as permanent housing for seven mentally and physically handicapped adults in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture, Japan.

Keiko Sugawara-san is one of those remarkable people one sometimes comes across in life; an extraordinary person of immense character and resolve that allow one to do incredible things for the good of the world. We were introduced to her by Michael Anop of Playground of Hope. Michael described her as Mother Teresa of Ishinomaki. She needed help in relocating people under her care in temporary facilities to permanent housing. We made a visit to her operation in Watanoha area of Ishinomaki in Miyagi prefecture. It was a trip of unequaled emotion and inspiration.

Figure 2. Keiko Sugawara-san during our first visit to Ishinomaki

She and her NPO, Yumeminosato, have been providing support to the handicapped children and adults in Ishinomaki for years. She ran a school for mentally challenged children and provided housing for mentally challenged and mentally ill adults. Her organization also ran daycare centers where mentally handicapped can stay during the day, and provided them with day jobs such as working at the farms where they can receive wages. She took in people other organizations turned away — the hardest cases, some with unnerving violent history. Her calling was that of a sacrifice and devotion; to care for the powerless and the abandoned. Only people like her would care for people like this. Her operation of love and sacrifice thrived in Ishinomaki until the tsunami of March 11^th, 2011, washed it all away.

Figure 3. J.P. Morgan team pictured here with Morgan House sign made in New England.

The most remarkable thing wasn’t that Sugawara-san and her team cared for the abandoned and powerless. It was that they fought back against the hopeless situation of 3.11 tsunami and managed to build their operation back up. By the time we made our trip to see her in July 2013, she and her organization once again had a thriving operation caring for the Down syndrome children and housing and caring for the handicapped adults. She had reopened the housing for the elderly mentally challenged adults. She acquired funding, which we are sure she had to go extraordinary length to secure, to build a short-term stay home, Minnano-yumehiroba, for the mentally challenged. Her schools and daycare centers were fully operating with her devoted staff. We met the children and adults under her care and saw that they were treated with respect, professional care, and much needed love.

Figure 4. Our volunteers had lunch with the residents of Morgan House.

Sugawara-san still had a number of mentally challenged adults in temporary housing that the government provided for her last two years. She was told to move them to permanent housing. She was given an amount that would have been sufficient had it not for the tsunami that doubled and tripled the material and labor cost of construction around the region. She could not build a place to accommodate seven adults with the grant money she was given. She and her organization were in a bind.

Unbeknownst to Sugawara-san, JPMorgan Chase Foundation had approved funding in late 2012 to help relocate the people in temporary housing compounds to more livable living space. This project, aptly named Morgan House Project, NADIA and J.P. Morgan volunteers were to help fund and facilitate relocation of the people in most dire circumstances in temporary housing.

After a long consideration, we had received approval from the NADIA board and J.P. Morgan to proceed with funding to build a new house for the 7 adults under Sugawara-san’s care. We believed it was likely to be one of the most worthwhile projects we had ever engaged in. The construction of the house and the move was completed in February 2014. Our volunteers visited the house on March16^th, 2014. The place was absolutely beautiful. Painted bright creamy yellow tone white paint on the outside, it really lit up the neighborhood. Once inside, we immediately felt the warmth of the place. We met the residents who recently moved in, and had lunch together. Joji Hiratsuka, NADIA chairman, and I visited the house again on December 14^th, 2014. Morgan House had seven mentally or physically handicapped residents as planned.

Figure 5. Our volunteers checking out the rooms in Morgan House.

It was a long journey for some of the volunteers as it took 20 months from the initial fundraising activities to the completion of the house. Countless weekly strategy meetings, phone calls, fact-findings, and numerous document preparations were in the end all worth it.

There were many who have helped along the way from planning to preparing and translating documents by the NADIA and J.P. Morgan volunteers — Morgan Knight, Naomi Koyama, Sakiko Matsuoka, Joji Hiratsuka, Tak Ishikawa, Ayako Kurayabashi, Thor Taku McWilliams, Laureline Gatellier and Ron Choi — to pro-bono lawyers, Jean Luyat and Yuko Inui, from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe who generously gave their time to draft the legal documents. Many of the senior executives of J.P. Morgan also got involved in lending a hand in the application for funding, getting approvals and expediting the process.

Figure 6. J.P. Morgan and NADIA volunteers posing with the Morgan House sign inside the completed house.

The Morgan House Project Team

NADIA has formed partnerships with other NPOs in the region to identify the people in need to help them improve their living situation. NADIA will execute the program in providing funding, volunteer labor and materials.

J.P. Morgan (http://www.jpmorgan.co.jp/ http://www.jpmorgan.com/) has provided sole funding for this project through its charitable foundation. In addition to the funds, J.P. Morgan supported this effort with its well-established employee volunteer program through its Corporate Social Responsibility and Philanthropy Committee organizations.

The Morgan House Project is a direct response to ever-mounting problems in temporary housing units and in keeping with NADIA’s original charter to bring back normalcy to the affected region. NADIA has been committed to make a difference in Tohoku since the very beginning of the disaster relief efforts to the 3.11 disaster. We aim to not only help the people affected, but also bring awareness of the on-going needs in Tohoku after more than three years after the devastating natural disaster.

Societe Generale brings 130 riders to Japan for charity

Tokyo, October 27, 2014 – More than 130 Societe Generale employees from the Asia Pacific region cycled through Japan’s mountainous Yamanashi prefecture and the metropolis of Tokyo to raise over 110,000 Euro (approximately ¥ 15,400,000) for charity.

The 5th Asia Pacific Bike Ride took place on October 25 and 26 as part of Societe Generale’s Citizen Commitment Games. This solidarity-based challenge is open to employees worldwide and emphasizes commitment and team spirit.

All money raised will go to charity partners which each country had chosen. Money raised by the 20 employees based in Japan will be donated to NPO Nadia, which supports victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region.

Riders spent one day cycling through the Fujigoko region in Yamanashi prefecture at the base of Mount Fuji, with the most skilled participants completing 104km in a day. The second day of riding took place in Tokyo alongside Edogawa River.

Societe Generale Chief Country Officer for Japan, Guillaume Burtschell, said: “We are proud to host the annual Asia Pacific Bike Ride in Japan especially this year which is the 150th anniversary of Societe Generale while helping our charity partners in Asia.”

“The Asia Pacific Bike Ride 2014 was part of the Citizen Commitment Games, in which over 20,000 colleagues across the globe have participated so far. Together, we have achieved a record level of fund-raising for our local charity partners.”

nadiaボランティア活動・2014年12月13日～14日

そして寒さも一層厳しくなる12月は、石巻の子供達のために汗を流し、素敵なクリスマス会を子供達と一緒に作り上げてみませんか？石巻市にある心身障児通園施設のかもめ学園には、大きな校庭はあるものの、子供達が遊ぶブランコなどの遊具が一つもありません。そこで&#2017 ;回はPlayground of Hopeという団体と協力し、大きな大きな遊具をみんなで設置します（そして可愛い小さな遊具もほんの少し）。日曜日には子供達と落成式も兼ねてクリスマス会も開く予定です。そんな夢のある活動にぜひご参加下さい。12月12日（土）の夜に出発し、14日（日）の夜に帰京予定です。

ボランティアのお申し込みはこちらから

NADIA ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2014

ナディアの年度総会はその透明性・公平性を保つため一般公開となっております。しかしながら会場の座席数制限のため、正会員を含めて30人の参加者のみ限られています。お早めにご参加登録を済ませることをお勧め致します。

日程：2014年11月25日(火)；午後7時30分より

会場：チャリティパートナーであるSociete Generale提供の会議室

東京都港区赤坂1丁目12番32号アーク森ビル

最寄り駅：南北線

メインアジェンダ（変更の可能性あり）：
・ナディアのビジョン＆活動目的
・前年度活動及び予算レポート
・次年度プロジェクト＆予算
・理事の再任、団体の構造の確認
・その他
・Q＆A

会議録や日程変更のお知らせなどの為に下記の個人情報がご登録に必要となります。参加を希望される方は、メールの題名にNADIA総会参加希望と明記の上、nadia.volunteer@gmail.comまで下記をご記入の上ご連絡下さい。

登録確認後こちらより改めてご連絡さしあげます。

1.氏名
2.当日連絡可能な電話番号並びにメールアドレス
3.NADIAのボランティア活動参加経験の有無

皆様のご参加をお待ちしています
NADIA役員一同

Karakua Playground Build in Kesennuma

By Ron Choi

Figure 1. Our September volunteers in front of the completed playground in Kesennuma, Miyagi-ken.

On 27^th and 28^th of September, 2014, J.P. Morgan and NADIA volunteers, in partnership with the members of Playground of Hope (PoH) and It’s Not Just Mud (INJM), built a beautiful playground in Karakua area in Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture in Japan. It was 33^rd build for Playground Of Hope project.

It was a departure from a typical PoH build. This was a national park surrounded by stunning scenery that reminds one of Big Sur in California, not a temporary housing or a kindergarten. A hike around the park left our volunteers in awe. The adjoining town, Kesennuma, was devastated by the tsunami of 2011. Hundreds of townspeople rolled up their sleeves and enthusiastically supported and participated in the event. They believed building a playground would bring back young family with children many of whom left the area after the disaster. They organized a festival to mark the opening of the playground. They spent weeks practicing the region’s traditional songs and dances. Nearly 600 people including many of the luminaries in the area came for what many of them considered the event of the year.

Figure 2. The national park was surrounded by stunning scenery.

When the townspeople showed up to help us with the build, it was pretty obvious the predominance of the aging population of the surrounding area. Places like these need to be attractive to young families. They indeed needed a playground for children to play to lure back the younger generations. All the more reasons they desperately wanted the playground to be built.

Figure 3. The entire town of Karakua spent weeks preparing for the opening ceremony where they performed the region’s traditional songs and dances.

Figure 4. The obligatory release of the balloons to mark the opening of the playground.

JPMorgan Chase Foundation, through its Tohoku Fund, provided funding for the build. This was 6^th playground or park to be built by J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan’s impact in the region has been felt by many in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures through its numerous volunteer trips and philanthropic activities. NADIA continues to organize events in partnership with socially conscious corporate donors like J.P. Morgan. These events are by far the best evidence of how corporations and non-profits can work together to make social impact.

Figure 5. J.P. Morgan volunteers participated in the traditional singing and dancing performances.

It was an incredible experience to meet the beautiful people of Karakua whose hospitality and enthusiasm was unparalleled. They have welcomed us into their town, embraced us, and showed us their heart-felt gratitude. It was merely a weekend volunteer trip for us, but for them it meant much more. They thanked us for not forgetting that they have a long road to recovery even after more than three years since the disaster. Each of our visit and volunteer activity means so much to the courageous survivors in the region.

Figure 6. This is why we do it.

This was yet another well-executed event. We show our deepest appreciation to Playground Of Hope and It’s Not Just Mud staff for their hard work and a great execution. And to all the volunteers from NADIA and J.P. Morgan who willingly gave their time and efforts on this project, we sincerely thank you.

Figure 7. It’s not all backbreaking work. Our volunteers enjoying the building process.

Figure 8. Building picnic bench for the park.

Figure 9. Michael Anop of Playground Of Hope showing the volunteers the surrounding area.

Figure 10. Building a playground means lots of lifting assembling.

Figure 11. This is why we do it.

Figure 12. This is why we do it.

Matsunami Park Build in Ishinomaki

By Khilan Shah and Ron Choi

Figure 1. The completed playground in Ishinomaki, Miyagi-ken.

On 24^th and 25^th of May, 2014, J.P. Morgan and NADIA volunteers, in partnership with the members of Playground of Hope (PoH) and It’s Not Just Mud (INJM), rebuilt a beautiful park in Matsunami area in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture in Japan. It was 29^th build for Playground Of Hope project. This area was devastated by the tsunami of March 2011. Some of the 450 residents who attended the opening ceremony stated that it was the first time they came back to the area since the disaster. They had avoided area because of the painful memory of what had occurred on March 11^th of 2011, not wishing to relive the experience. Many of those who came back for the first time were delighted what had happened to what was an abandoned park. Overgrown weeds were removed, bright green grass was laid and a large colorful play set for children was built for the eager kids from the surrounding area. The festive mood was palpable. A BBQ party to celebrate the re-opening of the park was held. Eric Jacobsen, a children’s TV program host, performed his popular tunes for those in attendance. After a short opening ceremony, hundreds of kids ran to the play set. The park was filled with laughter and joy.

Figure 2. Eric Jacobsen from NHK morning children’s TV program, Eigode Asobo, performed a concert for the children of Matsunami, Ishinomaki.

The funding for the event was provided by JPMorgan Chase Foundation, a Japanese-American performance group called Grateful Crane, and a remarkable ten-year-old from Ohio named Miya Moore who managed to raise $30,000 at her church with the help of her mom. She and her family joined the opening ceremony. It was a heart-warming occasion for everyone involved.

Figure 3. Miya and Emiko Moore from Ohio joined the opening ceremony.

Figure 4. J.P. Morgan volunteers who rebuilt the park.

Another team of J.P. Morgan volunteers who were also in Ishinomaki the same weekend to participate in a rice planting event for a social farm for the elderly graciously joined in on Saturday to check out the park. They all posed in front of the play set for the photo op. That was probably the largest group of J.P. Morgan volunteers in Tohoku area ever.

Figure 5. J.P. Morgan volunteers building the play set.

It was another touching experience to see the children playing on the playground we built. It validated our belief that we can still make a difference in the area and continue to touch lives. If our efforts can help the people of Tohoku area in their courageous road back to recovery in even a small way we are deeply grateful.

Figure 6. There was lots of weeding and laying down of fresh natural turf.

This was by far the largest build event out of the 29 Playground Of Hope projects to date and yet another well-planned and executed volunteer event in Tohoku. The Playground Of Hope team is perfecting their skills in putting on events and making good things happen in Tohoku region. We show our deepest appreciation to Playground Of Hope and It’s Not Just Mud staff for their hard work and a great execution. And to all the volunteers from J.P. Morgan who willingly gave their time and efforts on this project, we sincerely thank you.