May 31: Meals and Kyoto Caravan at Jonenji shelter

About 40 people remain in the Jonenji shelter as of today.  Right after the earthquake and tsunami, this shelter was very crowded. But many people have left to live either with relatives, with acquaintances, or in makeshift homes . Very soon, this shelter will be closed. The remaining evacuees will have to move to yet another shelter.

Many children from the shelter and from the vicinity gathered for the cotton candy. There were some beautiful smiles.

Our menu included a large number of vegetables. Fresh vegetables are scarce in many shelters.

Pongashi popped rice is popular even with the very young.

At this shelter, SWTJ's Ino-san was able to meet up with a young boy he had encountered in a different shelter during SWTJ's very first mission in April! Some evacuees have had to change shelters seven or eight times since March 11.

Communication with people on the ground is an important part of SWTJ's work. Needs in the disaster area are rapidly changing. SWTJ  talks to representatives in shelters, identifies the most pressing needs, and responds  as swiftly as possible. SWTJ will also keep in contact with those who will have to move to yet another shelter soon.

We thank the friendly people at Jonenji for their warm welcome, their time, and their support!

Text and photos: Kanazawa Daisuke

(translated and edited for the English version by B.Y.)