Reports from June ~ October 2011…..

Kesen-numa now: June ~ October 2011…..

I would like to inform everyone of our on-going support to Kesen-numa Elementary and Secondary School shelters.

<June 2011>

After 3 months, the food condition of both schools shelters ws still not good enough, with a constant lack of vegetables. A welfare commissioner, Ms. Ono who had evacuated to Kesen-numa Secondary School shelter told me most of the food we had was stuffed bread, and/or instant food and only occasionally could have boiled radish and carrots from the beginning of May. “Until Tao Sangha began supporting here, we’ve never seen a whole tomato…. “

I also asked other people, and everyone expressed wanting to have some vegetables. So, GUC decided to send some vegetables regularly.

We were struggling to find a vege-supplier, but finally found ‘Tsukiji Sanchoku farm”, a whole seller in Tokyo Tsukiji market, and they thankfully promised us to not make any profits for this event.

That was the beginning.

The first delivery arrived, and everybody, included volunteers from all over the country helped to make 200 salads. We couldn’t use the kitchen, therefore we made them outside, in a little field in front of school building. It was hot, and salads easily get damaged, so, they were moving to the shade under the trees, and the whole process took about 3 hours. “ It was only a small portion for each person, but everyone was really grateful, and so happy to have even that.”--- comment from somebody staying in the shelter.

<August 2011>

We sent 2^nd, 3^rd deliveries, but the city complained to Ms. Ono, saying “ Making salads outside is not safe and you are taking a chance to get food poisoning.  Are you going to take responsibility if that happens? “ It was an unpredictable action from city.

Ms. Ono had tears in her eyes, but we had to stop sending the vegetables, because no one could take responsibility.  However, we could send root vegetables, and Ms.Ono shared them with everyone in the school shelter.  Another obstacle we were faced with was that of course, there was no cooking equipment available at the school.   Well, when some people with relatives in temporary homes would go there to take a bath, they would take some vegetables with them and cooked them there. In this way, the vegetables were shared with people in temporary homes as well as the shelters.

<September>

There were 500 people living in this school shelter at the peak period. Now, the number is down to two digits. Ms.Ono also decided to move to a temporary home finally even though she was not really happy about the decision. She said that she had to make a compromise, because those homes are built in an isolated area (especially hers is built in a valley), and some people even refuse to move there. The city asked her to move in because she‘s never been lucky in the draw so far. She had refused many times till now, but her health has been failing, ---she lost 25lb---, and finally she felt it maybe better to move there.

<October>

It has been a month since Ms. Ono moved into a temporary home, an area with another 56 people living there. It is a very isolated area.  For example, the nearest bus stop is a 20 minute walk away, and the road is too narrow, so she thinks no snow remover will be able to get in. So, she is negotiating with the city to have some snow removal supplies.

While visiting every home in the area door to door, she also realized that the majority of the people there are elderly.
She noticed the increase of depression and dementia among those elderly living alone. No wonder! They lost everything that meant anything to them, and with no hope for their future, they just spend day after day in this shelter, alone….

Then she was inspired by something. Her parents used to be tailors, and Ms. Ono can sew very well because she used to help her parents. And, she started to teach “patch work” using old Kimono to those elderly people in the area. It was from her ultimate wish that those people could regain a hope to live.

GUC also wishes her wish comes true, and asked to all of our members to donate any old Kimono, and then we sent them.

Also, she humbly asked us when I called her,“ If you don’t mind, please send one… maybe 3 sewing machines. Sorry for always asking, “ she said.

                                                                                                               Report : Shin Hasegawa