Today we will be reporting the year’s final activities in Fukushima.
This month, we visited the cities of Minamisōma and Fukushima on the 11th and 12th. We embarked with a team of 4 staff members and two volunteers. The volunteers included one individual from Venezuela and a student who has been with us as a long-time volunteer. We would like to thank them both for their help!

 

《Thermotherapy》

On the 1st day, we headed to Minamisōma City and performed thermotherapy at Ōmika Lifelong Learning Center and Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing.

We were met with some new faces at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing. Many people told us the thermotherapy helped to warm them up, something that was especially welcome given the recent colder weather. We were glad to see that the facility was a place where community members could get together and talk to each other.

 

Thermotherapy at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing

 

 

On the second day, we traveled to Fukushima City. We visited the non-profit organization Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai (Committee to Protect Hanamiyama), the children’s learning facility Rainbow House, a community facility for restoration-related activities called Minna no Ie Second, and the Iinomachi Community Center.

We were surprised to wake up in the morning to see a field of snow outside. Our volunteer from Venezuela was especially moved, remarking “Que linda!” (How beautiful!). While it still snows on the mountaintops in Venezuela, she explained that it wasn’t usually possible to see the snow up close.

 

 

 

 

Hanamiyama covered in snow

 

In addition to our usual thermotherapy, our Venezuelan volunteer held a yoga session at the headquarters of Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai.
Many people chose to participate, and they seemed invigorated by the new experience!

 

 

 

 

 

Our poster on the front entrance                 The yoga session in action

 

At Minna no Ie and Iinomachi Community Center, we gifted the children there with Christmas cards made by the children of Nepal as part of our “Christmas Card Exchange Project”. The children and their mothers were excited to see photos of the Nepali children making the cards. They found it nice to be able to see the children making the cards they were now holding. Next time we visit Nepal, we will be sure to share these comments with the children who made the cards!

 

 

 

 

The children looking at their Christmas cards from Nepal

 

 

 

 

The children looking at pictures of the card-making

 

2018 will soon be over. We would once again like to express our gratitude towards everyone we have worked with in Fukushima, for all of their kindness and willingness to welcome us with open arms. We will be continuing our activities in 2019, where we will keep striving to find new ways to support the people of Fukushima.

 

《Thermotherapy participants》

Day 1: 3 at Ōmika Lifelong Learning Center, 14 at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing
Day 2: 9 at Minna no Ie, 11 at Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai, 5 at Rainbow House, 4 at Iinomachi Community Center