The people of the Residents’ Association of temporary homes put much effort
into promoting the Jonet salon, and many residents came to participate: a
person in a wheel chair, some men, and mothers and their children as well.
For this gathering, two people from Hokkaido and three people from Nagoya offered
helping hands.
Making a doll from working gloves, making a star-shaped strap, enjoying
Japanese cake and green tea, hand massage, nail care, and other activities were
greatly appreciated by the participants.
A class on how to do massage taught by a ‘hot yoga’ instructor, was also
very popular. Tennis-ball-massage and doing exercises with a towel were among
the items taught. Everyone was surprised to see the effect of the face pack and
lifting massage.
People in this temporary home unit were from Yuriagehama. Solemnly, they
explained to us about the places of their homes that had been washed away.
Most of them had lost family members.
“I had a great time. Please come again” was what many of them said to us.
On our way back, we drove to Yuriage, Arahama, and Shichigahama so that our
helpers coming from other prefectures could see the situation for themselves.
The debris near the coastlines had largely been cleared and the construction
of a high breakwater was in progress. But it seemed to us as if we were looking
at a seaside scenery in a foreign country far away.
In the schoolyard of a middle school, destroyed and empty, loads of rusty
motorbikes and farm equipments were sitting.
We bought hand-made goods sold in support of the disaster area at the
Shichigahama International Centre. I was impressed by their excellent
workmanship, and wished that people in temporary homes would become able to
produce goods of such quality.
The salon always hands out Jonet sets: a bag full of presents from partner
companies, groups, and individuals. People are surprised to receive such gifts
and say; “Is it OK to accept so much?”
Leaflets of toll-free telephone counselling (e.g. Purple Hotline, the Hotline
for Disaster Relief in Miyagi Prefecture, Hearty Sendai Counselling) are also
handed out with explanation. Especially, our organisation(s) in Sendai want to
react faster to women’s sufferings.
Also we load our car with goods sent from across the nation: pans, dishes,
sheets, bags, accessories, and many other items, which we distribute every time
we visit temporary homes. Participants of the salon are also asked which items
they would like to have that we could bring for them.
This time, we brought various accessories and boots. The residents loved
them. Y
No comments:
Post a Comment