Here’s the latest guest post from our friend Jason Bartashius… Before relocating to Kyoto, Ikuko Wagatsuma worked in the clothing department of a supermarket in Minami-Soma, a city devastated by both the tsunami and nuclear crisis. The tsunami wreaked havoc washing away homes and causing hundreds of deaths. Located near to the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, … [Read more...]
University Students Help Fukushima Evacuees in Kyoto
This article is by Jason Bartashius and Jessica Caparini. Wearing Santa hats and full of holiday cheer, university students sang Christmas carols and handed out presents to Fukushima evacuee children at a Christmas party in Fushimi. The children’s faces lit up when a Japanese Santa and a Canadian Mrs. Claus began handing out presents. Joining hands with community … [Read more...]
Kizuna From Kyoto: Supporting the Victims of the Tohoku Disaster
Jason Bartashius writes, Tonghwi Soh is no stranger to earthquakes. The Great Hanshin Earthquake destroyed the jewelry store his father worked at. It left him jobless and with no choice but to take another position for a lower salary. Although Soh was only four years old, he vividly remembers the day and the struggles that followed. Six years later Soh and his parents … [Read more...]
The Kyoto YWCA Home Stay Program for Fukushima Children
A new article from our friend Jason Bartashius. The Kyoto YWCA has offered a home stay program for Fukushima children on four occasions since March 11th each lasting for varying durations ranging from five days to nearly two weeks. To prevent radiation exposure playtime outside for many children has been greatly restricted in Fukushima. To let them to be able to enjoy the … [Read more...]
Tohoku to Kyoto: Yuko Nishiyama and the Plight of the Fukushima Evacuees
Jason Bartashius writes, On March 18, 2011 Yuko Nishiyama and her three-year old daughter, Mariko, left Fukushima City, 60 km from the Daiichi plant, to live in Tokyo. In June 2011, Yuko her parents and Mariko relocated to Kyoto. In total around 800 Tohoku evacuees have come to Kyoto and about 600 of them are from Fukushima Prefecture. Fukushima evacuees are choosing to come … [Read more...]
After School Lessons For Tohoku Children on Skype
A message from Jason Bartashius.... Volunteers Needed! Starting this spring we will be matching volunteer English instructors with junior high and high school students from the Tohoku region. The lessons will be done online using Skype and will be free of charge. We wish to have volunteers with the following experience and credentials: A four -year university … [Read more...]
After School Lessons for Tohoku Children
Jason Bartashius says, The triple disaster of March 11th, the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, 10-meter tsunami and the continuing Fukushima nuclear crisis has undoubtedly left a permanent mark on the Japanese memory and impacted the global community. Thousands have died and many survivors have been forced to relocate. Others are participating in home stays inside and outside of … [Read more...]
