Miyagi Support Center News “Yui (Link)” No.38, August 20, 2011
“Let’s support our fellows in Tohoku with our bonds of friendship and strengths!”
Issued by Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Headquarters for Support of Persons with Disabilities affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake
Offices:
Main Center:
2-12-2 Itsutsubashi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Tel: +81-80-4373-6077 Fax: +81-22-266-0292
Eastern Area Support Center:
99-7 Motomachi, Wakuya-cho,
Tel: +81-229-43-6639 Fax: +81-229-43-6685
Northern Area Support Center:
c/o Wakaba-en, Towa-cho, Tome-shi,
Tel: +81-90-8349-9403 Fax: +81-220-45-2293
Website:
http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/tohoku_earthquake.html
We had another quake of intensity 5 lower on August 20. That after quake was surprisingly big that a copy machine in the Eastern Area Support Center moved. People in Wakuya rushed into the streets, warring about still continuing aftershocks. The situation has not been settled even after half year since the earthquake. However, the town is gradually changing as temporary houses have been built and rubbles got collected in one place.
- Number of dialogues with persons with disabilities (up to August 20): 1,489 persons
- Number of supporters (up to August 20): 613
“With Many Thanks” (by a supporter from Okayama Prefecture)
Photo 1: “Genki Festa” was held in Higashi-Matsushima on August 20 (Saturday)
On August 20 (Saturday), “Arigato! Higashi-Matsushima Genki Festa” was held in Higashi-Matsushima-shi, where more than 1,000 persons died and 65% of the city area was inundated due to the big earthquake and tsunami on March 11. This year’s summer festival was organized as “Arigato (Thank you) Higashi-Matsushima Genki Festa” with many thanks of citizens of Higashi-Matsushima-shi. This event was an opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for many volunteers from every part of Japan as well as people who kindly provided many support goods, by showing lively energy of citizens of Higashi-Matsushima and children’s smile.
JDF Miyagi Northern Area Support Center took part in the event with “Yappeshi Tohoku” (an organization with which we had contact in support activities). In a flea market in the festival, we offered many goods for affected people to use.
A woman asked one JDF supporter where he had come from, and he answered “I came from Osaka.” And she said “Thank you”, and took our hands by her hands. I was surprised by her sudden gesture. However, her hands felt so warm and kind, which gave me strength.
Footmark of the support
Present of pictures! (by a supporter from Mie Prefecture)
Photo 2: A supporter from Mie going out by bicycle in front of the Eastern Area Support Center
I supported a woman to go for dialysis. Ms. M’s house in coast area of Ishinomaki was badly damaged by tsunami. Away from her husband living in a shelter near the house, she is now living in a shelter near a hospital because she needs dialysis 3 times a week. My support is to pick her up at the hospital after dialysis and send her to her shelter. She said, “I am too tired to walk after dialysis. Thank you very much for coming.” I suppose that there are many more people in the same situation because public transportation is not available yet. I would like to provide more support for them.
On the other day, I had an opportunity to meet with her husband, and I took a picture of him and his wife to give them as a framed photo later. They were so delighted and said “Thank you very much for such a wonderful present.”
How kind Tohoku people are!
(by a supporter from Okayama Prefecture)
Photo 3: Group photo with supporters from Okayama
I arrived here after 18 hour drive, and my first impression was the long distance to this area. However, when I went to the affected areas with the staff of the Northern Area Support Center, I was stunned by the reality beyond my imagination.
Worried and upset, I visited houses of disabled persons and elderly persons, but I was moved by their kindness. I expected that they would feel desperate after losing families, homes and work. However, they gave me very kind words such as “Thank you very much for coming all the way from very far places. Please come in.” with smile and lively voice. I realized how kind and patient Tohoku people were.
Seeing their making best efforts for tomorrow in a slow process of reconstruction gave me a lot of energy. I will share the reality of the earthquake with people back in Okayama. This time’s participation in JDF activities was a very meaningful experience for me. Thank you, people in Tohoku.
We still need supporters for the following activities.
- Visits to detect and respond to needs
- Office work including telephone consultation, accounting and clerical work, public relations and others
Place: Miyagi Support Center (in Toda-gun Wakuya-cho), Miyagi Northern Area Support Center (in Tome-shi)
If you can work 10 days as a general rule, please call us! Your call will be greatly appreciated.
Translated by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Volunteer translator: Mr. Shintaro Nakamura