On March 11 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, followed by a devastating tsunami. One of the hardest hit regions was Miyagi-ken, in particular Sendai, which was nearest the epicentre of the quake. My mother’s family all reside in Sendai. While they are all safe, there are many who are not as fortunate.
Two weeks after the quake, I spoke with my cousin, who teaches at Fukudamachi Kindergarten. The teachers had just completed most of the clean-up of the kindy and were now ready to welcome the children back. While almost all 200 students were safe, some had lost their homes, leaving them without clothing, toys and other basic necessities. Many children will be traumatised from the disaster.
The head teacher of Fukudamachi Kindergarten has welcomed an offer of a care package of clothing and toys which will be distributed to children in need.
We welcome any donation of handmade new items that reflect the following considerations:
• Children are aged 3-5
• Clothing items are required more than toys.
• Clothing can include skirts, shorts, tops, dresses, polar fleece, hats
• Japan is heading into spring, but it is still very cool in the mornings/evenings in this part of the country (in March it is still snowing!).
• Please consider weight and bulk
• Include details of age/size and if relevant, gender
If you’d like to...
• Take a photo of you/your family/group and your item and email it to hapachica@gmail.com please do this as soon as possible (preferably before delivery of item)
• Include names and ages of those in the photo
These will be assembled into a montage for the kindergarten.
Items can be purchased if you are unable to make them, but we prefer them to be handmade. Purchases at felt aid (http://felt.co.nz/shop/feltaid) or handmade for christchurch (on trademe) also help those affected by the Christchurch earthquake.
Photos of the kindergarten and its children can be seen here:
http://www.fukudagakuen.com/
Please deliver items between 10 - 2pm 28th April 2011 to 113 Riwai St, Paraparaumu, NZ or to Te Ra School office on Monday 4th May
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