We visited Fukushima on July 9th and 10th to continue our support activities.

As with our last trip, were joined by volunteer member Mr. Asamatsu. A total of 4 staff and 1 volunteer made the trip to Fukushima.

 

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is currently spreading in Fukushima, with over 400 people infected.
At the facilities we visited, we saw many people taking precautions.
We hope that the disease will not spread any further.

 

《Fukushima in July》

Visiting our partners at non-profit organization Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai (Committee to Protect Hanamiyama) always gives us a glimpse of the local flora.
The lotus flowers floating on the nearby ponds were speckled with rain, and the green leaves on the surrounding trees made it feel like summer was on its way.

The cherry tomatoes (pictured above) also looked delicious!

 

   

 

 

 

《Thermotherapy》

On the first day, we visited Minamisōma City and performed thermotherapy at Ōmika Lifelong Learning Center and Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing.

 

Among the people at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing, we happened to meet with the relatives of those who will be helping us with next month’s “Ukraine & Fukushima Children’s Exchange Program”. We have invited them to next month’s barbecue!
It will be exciting to be able to meet them again in a different setting.

 

Many people came to receive thermotherapy treatment, perhaps because of the cooler weather.
We would like to thank everyone who came by.

 

   
(Left) Thermotherapy at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing
(Right) Posters for next month’s Children’s Exchange Program

 

On the second day, we visited four facilities in Fukushima City: Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai, children’s facility Rainbow House, Iinomachi Community Center, and Minna no Ie.

 

At Iinomachi Community Center, we hear from one of the mothers about her own experience with the 2011 earthquake.
We were told she lived with her husband and 2 daughters before the earthquake, but afterwards, her daughters ended up moving to Iwate Prefecture out of fear of the aftereffects of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. While her husband was in favor of their daughters leaving, she explained that she was lonely since the family was no longer together.

Many families in Fukushima were separated after the disaster in 2011, with many still carrying the pain from these experiences with them. We hope that by lending an ear to these stories, we can play a small part in lessening their pain.

 

   
(Left) Performing thermotherapy on the children at Rainbow House
(Right) Thermotherapy at NPO Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai 

 

《Thermotherapy participants》
Day 1 (13 participants): 3 at  Ōmika Lifelong Learning Center, 10 at Omachihigashi Public Restoration Housing
Day 2 (36 participants): 13 at Hanamiyama wo Mamoru Kai, 7 at Rainbow House, 4 at Iinomachi Community Center, 12 at Minna no Ie

 

Our next trip to Fukushima will take place on August 6th and 7th.