November 23-24 Tohoku Volunteering

Autumn has come and the best season for volunteer activity has also come! We will have an Okinawa dance performance for the victims who are still living at a temporary housing 3 years after the tsunami. We will also support to re-built a historical monument facing a beautiful beach and we will have an opening ceremony for it with the Okinawa dance. We are really looking forward to your participation.

Please sign up here

September 27-28 Tohoku Volunteering

Autumn has come which is a nice time for volunteering. Team Nadia is going to Ishinomaki between Sep 26 (Fri) night and Sep 28 (Sun). The victims will be happy to see you and you will also use your positive energy through very rewarding activities. Please register soon, places are limited! The number of volunteer has to be limited around 13 people due to the bus size.

The currently planned activities are as following:

1. Shrine painting at a beautiful seaport called Orinohama
2. Fixing a historical monument at the same seaport
3. Cutting big trees which died due to damage from salt at another shrine
4. Food support for a festival held by the Ishinomaki social welfare council

Please sign up here

July 12-13 Tohoku Volunteering

The hot summer is coming! We are going to Ishinomaki to support the kids festival in Ishinomaki. This will be the 3rd time for us to support and it must be fun to see children growing up with the years. We are planning some other activities as well.

July trip date (2 days):
Friday 11 from 11 p.m. – return Sunday 13 in the evening.

The main activities is:
* Kids matsuri (festival)

Please bring your kids along! We will be helping out by preparing food and games for Ishinomaki and Kanto kids. This event was big fun last 2 years so don’t miss it. Japanese drums will also entertain all participants.

Adults will also be very helpful to carry the heavy shrine and support in making it a success. We hope to see many of you this time again!

Please sign up here

Building a playground in Fukushima

By Ron Choi

Figure 1. Our volunteers posing in front of the completed playground in Fukushima-shi, Fukushima-ken.

On the 8th of March, 2014, NADIA volunteers, in partnership with the members of Playground of Hope (PoH) and It’s Not Just Mud (INJM), built a beautiful playground in Fukushima city, Fukushima prefecture in Japan.  It was 24th build of Playground Of Hope and the third year anniversary of the March 11 triple disaster, which made it even more special.  It is well-known Fukushima was devastated by the triple disaster of March 2011.   The effects of that disaster were clearly seen even three years since.  The Wakaba kindergarten, our job site, had a large electronic display showing the real-time reading of a Geiger counter.   It was showing 0.065 μSv, which is around where Tokyo is.  The school ground was clearly safe, but the previously installed play equipments had to be taken away from the school grounds in the aftermath of the nuclear incident due the rain that deposited the radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant.   All wooden and metal play sets had to be removed due to contamination.  The students didn’t have a play set to play on for three years.

Figure 2. This is why we do it.

Early march in Fukushima is undoubted cold.   It snowed throughout Saturday when volunteers built the play set.    Some assemblies had to be done indoors in the school gymnasium to not to expose volunteers to inclement weather.  The volunteers however never lost the positive spirit despite the less than ideal working condition.   Nishiyama-san, a National Diet member representing Fukushima, stopped by to encourage the volunteers.   The school staff was unbelievable hosts.  They also participated in the build activities.

Figure 3.  This is why we do it.

There are about 150 schools in Fukushima with the same exact predicament.  The play sets were torn down and taken away due to contamination, but even though school grounds are perfectly safe they do not have funding to rebuild the playgrounds.   Here’s one area NPOs like NADIA can play a huge role in financing and building the much-needed playgrounds.

Figure 4.  Kids love binoculars.

It was a great experience seeing the children absolutely loving the play sets we built.   Yet another reason to strengthen our belief in humanity and our conviction that we can make a difference in the lives of the victims of the March 11th disaster.

Figure 5. Our entertainer of the day, Guy Totaro, also known as Niko Niko Taishi, performed for 300 people from the neighborhood

This was a greatly planned and executed bus trip to Tohoku.  The Playground Of Hope team is continuously honing their skills in making good things happen in Tohoku region.   We show our gratitude to Playground Of Hope and It’s Not Just Mud staffs for their hard work and a great execution.  Also to all the volunteers who willingly gave their time and efforts on this project, we sincerely thank you.

Figure 6.  Made giant bubbles for the children before the opening ceremony.

Figure 7.  A student and a teacher enjoying the afternoon.

Figure 8.  Khilan Shah, one of the NADIA volunteers, making the base of a slide.

Figure 9. Members of the It’s Not Just Mud staff braving the cold to bring joy to the kids of Fukushima.

Figure 10.   We sincerely thank our volunteers for their hard work in building the playground.

Figure 11.   Nishiyama-san, a National Diet member, visited the job site to give us encouragements.

Fukushima Kids in Italy 2014

二次募集開始のお知らせ

Fukushima Kids in Italy Project 2014
イタリアホームステイプログラム

このプログラムは東日本大震災被災児童の支援を目的とする、特定非営利活動法人NADIA (日本 東京)とこれまで世界中の子供たちのイタリアでのショートステイ受入れをしてきた非営利法人PUER (イタリア ローマ)の共同プロジェクトです。イタリアでの異文化体験・ホームステイを通じて、次代の復興を担う子供達が笑顔いっぱいの夏休みを過ごし、心身ともにリフレッシュできるプログラムを目指し、子供達がこれからの未来にワクワクできる、そんな機会になることを希望します。

募集要項
[参加概要]
1. 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
2. 派遣日程:2014年7月25日(金)~2014年8月22日(金) の1ヶ月間 (予定)
3. プログラム概要:ホームステイ、日伊文化交流、課外活動等
4. 参加対象者:東日本大震災をうけ、被災証明書を持参している児童(満6歳から満12歳)
5. 派遣人数:15名前後を予定

[応募資格]
1. 東日本大震災時に福島県に居住し、被災者認定(原発事故による避難者含む)を所持し、現在も福島県内の小学校に通学する保護者の承諾が得られる日本国籍の満6歳から満12歳(日本出発時点)までの児童
2. 面談・および説明会等に保護者同伴(交通費は自己負担)で事前研修を受けられる児童
3. 心身ともに健康な方(有毛動物にアレルギーのある児童は不可とします)
4. プログラム趣旨に賛同し、異文化での生活に積極的に協調性を持って参加できる児童
5. 日本出発日およびプロジェクト開始日までに必要な書類の提出等の手続きが完了できる方

[募集期間]
2014年4月1日(火)~2014年4月7日(月)*当日消印有効

[応募から決定まで]
書類審査・電話でのヒヤリング等を通じて選考し、4月30日までに審査の結果を書面にてお伝えいたします。

[プログラム費用に関して]
主催者負担
1. 往復航空運賃、燃油特別付加運賃、各種空港税
2. イタリアホームステイ参加費用(宿泊費、食費、交通費、現地プログラム費用含む)(注:ホームステイ中の滞在費、食費、交通費は現地の受入れ家族が善意で負担します)
3. 海外旅行損害保険費
保証期間: 30日間
保証内容: 損害死亡1000万円、損害後遺症 30~1000万円、治療・救援費用 1000万円、救援費用 300万円、緊急歯科治療費用10万円、個人賠償費用 1億円、携行品 20万円、航空機寄託手荷物遅延、10万円、航空機遅延費用 2万円

参加者負担
1. 旅券(パスポート)取得費
2. 自宅から集合場所(事前研修会場および成田空港)までの国内移動経費(宿泊費も含む)
3. 主催者で費用負担する旅行損害保険とは別に参加者が任意で保険に入る場合や予防接種を受ける場合の費用
4. 超過手荷物料金
5. 渡航時、空港等での飲食代などの個人的性質の諸費用およびチップ代

応募方法
下記ホームページから必要書類をダウンロードし、郵送にて下記の書類に必要事項を記入の上、Nadiaに送付してください。
-参加申請書
-記述式質問表

NADIA HP:  https://team-nadia.jp/
Project FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Ciao2014FukushimaKids/
[応募用紙の送付宛先]
特定非営利活動法人 Nadia
Fukushima Kids in Italia 2014事務局 石田 宛
住所: 〒142-0062 東京都品川区小山台1-11-2

[ご質問・連絡先]
E-mail: tohoku.kids.to.italy@gmail.com

[審査]
1. 書類審査
2. 電話・面談によるヒヤリング
3. 事前の説明会・セミナーへの参加にて適正判断

*参加が確定した後、下記書類を提出していただきます。
-同意書
-保護者身分証明書のコピーおよび被災証明書のコピー(被災証明書・罹災証明書・死亡診断書・義損金など)
-学校在学証明書1通

[留意事項]
1. 提出された個人情報の取り扱いについては同意書に基づき、細心の注意を払います。尚、提出書類は返却いたしません。
2. 参加確定後、キャンセルされる場合、速やかにNPO Nadiaに連絡をしてください。
3. 航空券手配後、参加者の都合によりキャンセルされる場合は、所定の航空券取消し手数料およびそれに付随する振込み手数料は参加者のご負担となります。ご注意ください。
4. 出願書類等に関し、事実と異なる内容があると判断された場合、参加資格を取り消し、派遣をお断りする場合があります。
5. 海外派遣に関する合否の理由等に関してはお答えできませんのでご了承ください。

本プログラムの企画運営団体
特定非営利活動法人NADIA
NADIAは東日本大震災を受けて皆の「何かしなくては!」という強い思いが集まり誕生した国際色豊かなボランティアグループです。「支援する手に国境はない / Hans have no nationality」をモットーに現在も後方支援ではなく、現場で目に見える形で東北の支援活動を続けています。
https://team-nadia.jp

非営利法人PUER
PUERは今年で創立20周年を迎えるイタリアローマを拠点とするボランティア団体です。PUERとはラテン語で「子供・少年」を意味を持ち、その言葉どおりあらゆる意味で困難な生活環境に置かれた子供たちが笑顔を取り戻すことができるよう、国境を越え手を差し伸べることをモットーに活動しています。近隣諸国の多くの子供たちのイタリア保養を支援すると同時に、2006年にはスマトラ島沖地震の影響を受けたタイ、プーケットなどの支援活動にも関わり、2011年からは東日本大震災被災児童の夏期保養旅行としてイタリア各地のホストファミリーを介し、毎年約30人の児童を招待してきました。
http://www.puer.it/

参加申込書・質問表のダウンロードはこちら。

参加申込書・質問表

参加申込書2014
質問表 児童
質問表 保護者

イタリアホームステイプログラム説明会

Fukushima Kids in Italy 2014
イタリアホームステイプログラム説明会

 

プログラムの概要のご案内に加え、実際に昨年プログラムに参加した児童及び保護者の方よりイタリアでの体験や感想をお話していただきます。イタリアでのホームステイについて理解を深める機会として是非ご活用ください。

【開催日時】2014年3月29日(土)30日(日)午前10時半より
【会場】郡山市民交流プラザ 大会議室2(29日)第2会議室(30日)
      住所:福島県郡山市駅前2-11-1 ビッグアイ7階
【定員】両日共に45名(お申込順)
      *席数に限りがあるため、本年度プログラム参加をご検討中の方に限らせていただきます。
【参加費】無料
【内容】

  • 団体概略紹介
  • プログラムのご案内
  • 参加児童及び保護者による体験談
  • 質疑応答

【お申込について】
参加ご希望の方は、以下内容を明記の上、tohoku.kids.to.italy@gmail.comまでe-mailでお申し込みください。

  • お名前
  • ご住所
  • 電話番号
  • 参加希望日
  • E-mailアドレス
  • 参加人数

【主催】特定非営利活動法人NADIA
      Fukushima Kids in Italy 2014事務局
      e-mail: tohoku.kids.to.italy@gmail.com

尚、本プログラムの参加申込締切日は331日(月)です。当日会場でのお申込みも受け付けます。ご検討中の方は事前にNADIAホームページより申込み用紙及び記述式質問表をダウンロードしご持参いただけますようお願い申し上げます。

参加申込書・質問表のダウンロードはこちら

 

March 15-16 Tohoku Volunteering

It is almost 3 years since the disaster and it is great to learn that many schools will finally be re-opened in April, some by governments, some privately. It is so important to get these schools back up and running because otherwise parents are unable to return to the area, meaning that companies recovering from the disaster do not have enough employees.

While schools are being rebuilt, with many of them opening in April, these are being built with the very minimum resources due to the severe shortages of funding (especially for privately operated schools) and contractors who are in high demand.

Dogen-in is just one such example. A temple located at the top of the hill, became a refugee camp for more than 400 victims immediately after the tsunami for many weeks (http://www15.ocn.ne.jp/~dougenin/).  Having established a closer relationship with the community, and understanding the need for schools, they have raised more than JPY200m, including more than JPY100m of their own money as well as a 20 year loan for JPY68m. Even with such large monies, they had to cut back on many items which are not critical, including the playground.

Nadia has put together a number of sponsors and will be donating the following:

  • Earth to cover over the whole playground, still containing debris from the tsunami
  • A Playground of Hope playset (http://www.playgroundofhope.org/)
  • Wood-decking (cut out from the budget)
  • Grass and Spring Toys for 0-1 year olds

Now we need volunteers to build all these items over the weekend of March 14-16, in time for the opening ceremony of the Hoikuen on 16th March. The Volunteer Work will include the following:

  • Building of playset (led by PoH staff)
  • Moving earth from one heap across the whole playground (led by Nadia leader)
  • Laying down grass and building Spring Toys for 0-1 year olds (led by Horiuchi-san of Sakae Corporation)
  • Building Wooden Decking (led by Shirai-san of Craft Setagaya http://kraftman-setagaya.jimdo.com/)
  • Preparation of Opening Ceremony
  • If possible, flower planting at other schools nearby

The overall itinerary is as follows:

14th March – 11pm – Depart Shinjuku by bus
15th March – 6am – Arrive Ishinomaki
15th March – 8am-3:30pm -Volunteer work
16th March – 8am-10am – Volunteer work
16th March – 10:30am-2pm – Opening Ceremony
16th March – 2:30pm – Depart Ishinomaki
16th March –  9pm – Arrive Shinjuku

This will be a very hard-working, highly rewarding experience, with lots of fun with many great volunteers! In addition, volunteers will be welcomed at the Opening Ceremony on 16th where they can meet the kids and children we do this for, as well as those who helped make this work.

We hope many of you can join us!

Please sign up here

Fukushima Kids in Italy Project 2013

このプログラムは東日本大震災被災児童の支援を目的とする、アリタリア航空のチャリティマイレージプログラムのパートナーとして選ばれた特定非営利活動法人NADIA (日本 東京)とこれまで世界中の子供たちのイタリアでのショートステイ受入れをしてきた非営利法人PUER (イタリア ローマ)の共同プロジェクトです。イタリアでの異文化体験・ホームステイを通じて、次代の復興を担う子供達が笑顔いっぱいの夏休みを過ごし、心身ともにリフレッシュできるプログラムを目指し、子供達がこれからの未来にワクワクできる、そんな機会になることを希望し企画運営されました。

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
派遣日程:2013年7月28日(日)~
2013年
8月23日(金)
参加児童:満6歳から満13歳の児童18名
(男9 / 女9)

活動内容
7/31公園でのアクティビティ(イタリア到着後初)
*子供たちのメンタル、健康状態のチェック、及びホストファミリーとの面談
8/3 夏祭り(Japan Festival) 主催:ホストファミリー / 参加者:150
*地元の人たちとの交流・日本文化の紹介するイベント
NADIAが出店した縁日風のヨーヨー釣りや輪投げコーナーは現地のイタリア人の子どもにも大好評でした。参加した福島キッズの1人が日本で習っている日本舞踊を披露したところ、その優雅さ美しさに訪れたイタリア人のゲストは一同うっとりとしました。
8/13 (14.00-19.00) バチカン美術館見学 参加者:9福島キッズ、日本語ガイド:ホストマザー(Claudia)
館内のキリスト教に関係する絵画や像の見学を通して、初めて宗教(キリスト教だけでなく仏教に対しても)を学ぶ機会となった児童が多くいました。また世界最高峰のカトリック由来の芸術品の数々は子どもの心にも響きました。
8/21( 9.30-15.30) 農場見学 参加者:大人26 / 子供21 
*自然との共生・食育を学ぶ機会
モッツァレラチーズやリコッタチーズを自分で作り、牛の乳搾りを体験し、絞り立ての牛乳の美味しさに大感動しました。お土産に農場で採れたオリーブで作ったオリーブオイルももらいました。

1か月のホームステイを通じて、子供たちは毎日海や山、公園で遊び、18人全員が病気や怪我をすることなく、真っ黒に日焼けして帰国しました。皆様のご支援を得て終えたこのプログラムが日本とイタリアのかけはしとなり、子ども達の将来への希望、夢に繋がる事を心から願います。
参加児童からのフィードバック
 9歳児童

 10歳児童


 10歳児童

保護者からのフィードバック
イタリアでの夏休みを終えて戻った息子は、コミュニケーションの大切さを学んだような気がします。また1か月で身長が3cmも伸びて帰ってきました。(11歳男子児童の母)
私の息子は以前よりも感情(嬉しい・悲しい・怒り)を表現するようになりました。娘は将来の夢を話すようになりました。子供たちが未来に希望を持って楽しそうに話すのを見て本当に嬉しく思います。(10歳男子・6歳女子児童の母)
*イタリアに到着後、保護者の方より届いたe-mail


2013
年度プログラムのサポートおよび企画運営団体

アリタリア航空 クラブ・ミッレミリア「東北チャリティー」
アリタリア航空(本社イタリア・ローマ)のマイレージプログラム クラブ・ミッレミリアでは「チャリティー・プログラム」の一環として、お客様の善意のマイル寄付を受け、世界中の子供達を救うための活動を展開しています。集約されたマイルは、参加NPO法人を通じ、治療にあたる医師の派遣、治療を受ける子供の航空券などに充当されてきました。この度、日本のクラブメンバーの要望を受け、アリタリア航空日本支社とNPO法人NADIAとの協力のもと、2013年東北の子供達をイタリアに派遣する「東北チャリティー」を立ち上げました
http://www.alitalia.com/JP_JA/campaign/nadia.aspx

PUER Onlus
PUERは今年で創立20周年を迎えるイタリアローマを拠点とするボランティア団体です。PUERとはラテン語で「子供・少年」を意味を持ち、その言葉どおりあらゆる意味で困難な生活環境に置かれた子供たちが笑顔を取り戻すことができるよう、国境を越え手を差し伸べることをモットーに活動しています。近隣諸国の多くの子供たちのイタリア保養を支援すると同時に、2006年にはスマトラ島沖地震の影響を受けたタイ、プーケットなどの支援活動にも関わり、2011年からは東日本大震災被災児童の夏期保養旅行としてイタリア各地のホストファミリーを介し、毎年約30人の児童を招待してきましたhttp://www.puer.it

特定非営利活動法人NADIA
NADIAは東日本大震災を受けて皆の「何かしなくては!」という強い思いが集まり誕生した国際色豊かなボランティアグループです。「支援する手に国境はない / Hands have no nationality」をモットーに現在も後方支援ではなく、現場で目に見える形で東北の支援活動を続けています。
https://team-nadia.jp

ABARTH フィアットグループジャパン
http://fiatchrysler.jp/company/
Capital Group
http://www.thecapitalgroup.com/
Davis LLP 高橋&デイビス法律事務所
http://www.davis.ca/ja/
MzCorbino Design LLP
http://www.mzcorbino.com/

後援: 在伊日本大使館

Building a playground in Minamisanriku

By Ron Choi

Figure 1. The completed playground in Minamisanriku, Ishinomaki.

On 28th of September, 2013, J.P.Morgan volunteers, in partnership with the members of Playground of Hope (PoH), It’s Not Just Mud (INJM) and NADIA, built a beautiful playground in Minamisanriku, Miyagi prefecture, Japan. Minamisanriku was devastated by the tsunami of March 2011. The volunteers saw the effects of that disaster in one of the areas of the city that was completely washed away. They stopped by the Crisis Management Building where Miki Endo, one of the municipal employees who stayed the building until the last minute to alert the residents to evacuate. It is said she saved hundreds of lives. The steel frame of the three-story building where she perished was still standing. The volunteers paid homage before departing to the job site.

Figure 2. This is why we do it.

This was the second of the playground builds by J.P. Morgan. In terms of scale, it was a much smaller operation compared to the first one in Watanoha area in Ishinomaki, where an entire park was renovated. In the Watanoha build, we had 30 volunteers from J.P. Morgan and over a dozen other volunteers from partner NPOs. In this trip we had 11 volunteers from J.P. Morgan and about a half a dozen people from partner NPOs. However it lacked in size of the operation, it certainly made up for it in the level of enthusiasm by the surrounding communities.

Figure 3. This is why we do it.

600 flyers announcing the playground build activities accompanied by BBQ were distributed in the temporary housing compounds in the surrounding area. About 180 people showed up to celebrate the opening. The venue, an expansive area next to a main road fully covered with grass, most definitely helped the volunteers to interact with the local residents. A very large number of children from the temporary housing compounds — the most ever in any of the playground builds so far — whole-heartedly embraced the volunteers. The children played tag for hours with the volunteers, chased down giant soap bubbles, and after the BBQ started lining up behind the roped boundary around the play set that was completed only a few minutes before the ceremony. There was a large commotion emanating from the kids who have been suffering from play deficit. We made our opening speech very short, so the kids can go at the playground. And go at it, they did. We counted up to 50 kids playing on the play set at one point in time. It was the most children we’ve seen on a play set ever. Given that this was 18th Playground of Hope to be built in Tohoku area that is saying something. Upon seeing this, some of the volunteers were overcome with emotions. This was something our volunteers rarely experienced in their lives – their hard work over a weekend making a difference to those who need it the most. The children in temporary housing area really need to play. Their living condition in cramped overcrowded rooms and no access to safe place to interact with other kids induce a great deal of stress in their young lives. This was something they have been longing for more than two years since the tsunami. Now they have a place to gather and play with their old and new friends safely, all thanks to our wonderful volunteers.

Figure 4. A BBQ was held before the opening ceremony.

After the BBQ and opening ceremony were over, all of us played with the children and had some time to reflect upon that weekend’s activity. By all measure it was a fabulously successful project. But more than anything we came away realizing how much impact this playground will have on the children. This place will provide countless moments of joy to the children in the neighborhood. They will grow up having memories of happy times they have had at the playground. We hope that it will help them overcome the hardship and stress they have to face each day. We hope they will grow up to be constructive and positive individuals.

Figure 5. Our volunteers preparing food for the large contingent of kids and family from temporary housing in the surrounding area.

After all the planned activities were over, the volunteers cleared out the area of tools and materials. As our bus started driving out of the parking lot, we noticed many of the residents and children walking toward us and waving good bye. They were showing their gratitude. It was a very touching moment for all who worked on the project. To all the volunteers who willingly gave their time and efforts on this project, we sincerely thank you.

Figure 6. Michael Anop and Jamie El-Bana, of It’s Not Just Mud, putting on the roof with the volunteers.

Figure 7. Our new lovely playground waiting for kids to arrive.

Figure 8. We had hundreds of hamburger patties and sausages. Children especially liked the chocolate fondue.

Figure 9. Having a large area covered with grass provided us ample opportunities for volunteers to interact with the children. They played tag with the kids for hours!

Figure 10. We sincerely thank our volunteers for their hard work in building the playground.

nadia’s support to Haiyan Typhoon victims in Philippines

nadia’s moto is to bring relief and hope to victims of natural disasters. nadia has been very active in Japan Tohoku region since March 2011 following the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Seeing the level of devastation affecting the Philippines following Haiyan Typhoon, nadia felt compelled to help. We believe grass root organizations such as Second Harvest are most effective in bringing relief to local population and therefore would like to dedicate our fundraiser to support Second Harvest Asia in the relief of Philippines victims of Haiyan Typhoon. 100% of the funds received by nadia through this campaign will be donated to Second Harvest Asia.

Click here to get to the donation page.