We implemented the APFS disaster relief project (4th phase).

The specified non-profit organization APFS (ASIAN PEOPLE'S FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY) carried out its fourth disaster relief project in Rikuzentakata City and Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, from Wednesday, April 3rd to Sunday, April 7th, 2013, together with six foreign residents from five countries (Iran, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines).
In carrying out this project, we received full cooperation from the members of the Daikon-kon Project, who have been working in the affected area since immediately after the earthquake.

The details of the implementation are as follows:

Thursday, April 4, 2013 10:00-16:00
● Window cleaning at temporary housing in Takinosato, Rikuzentakata City; providing foot baths for the elderly; and assisting with the operation of tea ceremonies.
In the morning, I wiped the windows of all the temporary housing units from the outside. While wiping the windows, I chatted with the residents of the temporary housing. In the afternoon, I assisted with running a tea party at the community center and provided foot baths for the elderly residents.

Friday, April 5, 2013 10:00-16:30
● Creating flowerbeds and planting seedlings at "Rikuzentakata no Hanakkobatake" in Yonezaki-cho, Rikuzentakata City.
We helped Masako Yoshida, who is working daily to create a flower garden on land that was completely swept away by the tsunami two years ago. Six foreign residents stacked bricks on the bare soil to create flowerbeds. They also planted seedlings so that flowers will bloom in the summer.

Saturday, April 6, 2013 10:00-16:00
● Nishidate, Suezakicho, Ofunato City: Clearing of bamboo and trees
Local residents, who were also victims of the disaster, helped with an initiative to transform the castle ruins, located in a mountain overgrown with trees and bamboo, into a park (with the aim of preserving the town's history and passing on the story of the earthquake). Six foreign residents were in charge of transporting the trees and bamboo that the local residents had cut down.

An Iranian member who participated in this project said, "I have lived in Japan for 22 years, and this disaster is not something I can ignore; I feel it as if my own country had been affected." Another Pakistani member said, "Only humans can protect humans, and only humans can be a 'medicine' for people's hearts. We want to do whatever we can to help everyone by putting our hands and feet into action." It was with these feelings that each member participated in the project, and they were accepted by the people in the disaster-stricken areas.

Two years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, and living in Tokyo, I feel as though memories of the disaster are fading. However, people in the affected areas still vividly recount their experiences. Some even shed tears as they spoke. One person said, "Immediately after the earthquake, I was just desperately trying to survive. It's only recently that I've been able to cry." I felt that caring for the physical and mental well-being of the victims was crucial in the disaster-stricken areas.

APFS will continue its disaster relief projects. We ask for your continued support and cooperation.