FOR TOHOKU DISASTER AREA KIDS
Thanks to our many supporters and with the help of a great team of SWTJ members and young volunteer camp leader assistants, we were able to again organize a fun summer camp for Tohoku disaster area kids!
We contacted schools, community centers, and our branches in Tohoku to announce our second summer camp to the local population. Many kids who had participated in the camp last year were eager to join again! And many new kids overcame the fear to leave home for 3 days for the first time alone, and joined us for the great adventure!
The location was just perfect: Minami Koryu Center in Senmaya (Iwate Prefecture) is a spacious house with futon bedding, a big kitchen, and a great sports ground nearby!
All the meals were prepared together with the kids! Cooking together was an important part of the camp and enjoyed by all!
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| Curry for tonight! |
At night, the SWTJ volunteer team would meet to prepare the following day...
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| Staff meeting in preparation for the next day |
Off to the river! A good time was had by all!
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| 木のイカダに乗って気分はトムソーヤー。 |
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| Everybody just loved the nagashi-somen event where noodles have to be skillfully picked up from a split bamboo stem. |
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| The watermelon game |
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| The 'Tree of Hope' built by the children from cardboard is lighted to send our wishes and hopes to the heavens, as is custom in Japan |
About 40 villagers joined us on the last night of the camp for entertainment, Bon-Odori Dance, fireworks, and a good time together with kids, musicians, and SWTJ leaders and members!
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| The Slide Walk Salon Orchestra performs a volunteer Live Performance for the camp kids and the villagers of Senmaya during the last night of the camp! |
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...a time to find new friends
...a time to laugh out loud
...a time to be just yourself
...a time to be devastated because of a defeat in a game
...a time to rediscover the joy of water
...a time to connect with camp leaders
...and so much more!
These kids have come so far since the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Many of them still live in temporary container housing, and many of them have lost close relatives and friends.
However, they have participated in our camp with much joy and energy, and have helped with all tasks, including cooking and cleaning, all throughout! And many many friendships have been built!
SWTJ is convinced again that work with children continues to be crucial in Tohoku!
We won't forget, we will continue!
See more pictures of the 2013 Summer Camp in the slide show below (click on bottom right corner for full sight).
Photo:©YUMIOKA&KOBAYASHI@SWTJ
Music:©DENKI GYPSY
Edit:YOSHIKAWA@SWTJ
SWTJ would like to thank all the wonderful villagers and volunteers who helped or participated in the camp, and all those who made the camp possible through their generous financial, material and spiritual contribution!
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