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.

3-11 Earthquake and Tsunami Anniversary Dinner: Tohoku 4 years later

Team Nadia for Ishinomaki invites you to attend our 3-11 Anniversary Fundraising Event, an evening of fine dining and multicultural entertainment.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015
from 19:30 until 22:30

More information here.

Fukushima kids in Italy 2014 Program – Report

Again this year, we have successfully organized one month home stay program for children living in Fukushima, “Fukushima kids in Italy 2014”.
In addition to 11 children who joined 2013, 14 newly selected Fukushima kids (Total 25) got a ticket to Italy to spend entire summer at loving Italian family.

It was not just a simple dream vacation tour, children studied really very hard before their trip in order to be able to integrate into Italian community. We had three months training period before the trip. Through training camp as well as several orientation sessions, children learnt Italian language, learnt about Italian history and culture, got used to sleep without their parents and used to do daily things by themselves. By the time of the departure at Narita airport, all children learnt how to introduce themselves, how to count numbers, and how to express their emotion in Italian!

On Departure at Narita airport, Italy here we come!

Program Outline

Location: Rome, Lazio/ Naples, Campania
Length of Stay: 25/July – 22/August
Activities: One month homestay including outdoor activities at beach and parks, cultural exchange with local children and people.

On arrival at Rome airport, welcomed by host families

Having studied hard in Japan, none of them understood family’s words, so they used whole body to communicate with Italian people making full used of facial expression, gesture, dictionary, and sometimes even smartphone translation apps helped.

At first some suffered from Jet-lag, some suffered from homesick, others might just simply enjoyed. But all of them loved Italian life style and loving Italian family.

They loved Mamma’s pasta, homemade Pizza, having a family dinner on a long table

Everyday they played in the park, swam in the ocean until dark

Some learnt Italian dishes from host mother and when they returned to Fukushima they cooked for their family.

Children was so curious about Italian history, shocked by the fact that they were standing on the very spot where Julius Caesar and Augustus and others passionately made speeches more than 2000 years ago.

By the time a few weeks passed, all kids overcame jet-lag, home sick, started understanding Italian languages, spoke Italian well enough to fight with other Italian kids.

And their four weeks went too quick…On final day at Rome airport, tearful farewell with Italian families

We, energy fully charged Fukushima kids and NADIA staffs, all came back to Narita airport safely with bronze skin and big smile!

Again this year, 14 Fukushima kids found lifetime friendship, a family whom kids can visit every summer and holiday seasons. Kids decided to continue studying Italian in order to go back to their family next year.
We are so proud of you, Fukushima kids!

Thank you for your support, and see you this summer at Fukushima kids in Italy 2015

Special Thanks to:
Program partner
PUER Onlus www.puer.it

Program supporters
Alitalia-Compania Aerea Italiana
Capital Group
Davis LLP
Japanese School in Roma
大熊町教育委員会
Individual supporters

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.”

December 13-14 Tohoku Volunteering

This is the last Playground of Hope build of 2014.
We will build a playground at Kamome Gakuen, a school for the disabled in Ishinomaki.
The building activity on Saturday, December 13th, will be followed by an opening ceremony on Sunday, the 14th.

Please sign up here

NADIA ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2014

NADIA’s Annual General Assembly is open to the public. However, room constraints limit us to 30 people including executive members. Please register early to secure your seat.

DATE: The Tuesday 25th November, 2014, 7:30 pm

VENUE: Our charity partner, Societe Generale is kindly offering us a conference
room
• Ark Mori BIdg., 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6015 Japan
(Subways: Nanboku-line Roppongi icchome)

MAIN AGENDA (subject to change):
– Reminder of NADIA’s vision and endeavors
– Previous year’s activities and financial report
– Next year’s projects and budget
– Structure of the NPO
– New appointments
– AOB
– Q&A

We need the following information both for NADIA official GA records as well as for communication purposes in case there is any change in dates or place.

Please send a email to: nadia.volunteer@gmail.com by indicating as a title “Participation Gneral Assembly” with following informations, and we wiil get back to you once we confirm the registration.

1. NAME
2. Contactable phone number and e-mail address
3. NADIA volunteer experience ( joined before, or never joined)

Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing you soon,
NADIA BOARD MEMBERS

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.