Recreational time away from disaster zone

　　 On an April morning, children with nervous look their faces gathered in the oval of Akahama Elementary school. Here, the school Gymnasium has become an evacuation center. The town of Otsuchi was literally engulfed by the Tsunami and Akahama Elementary school lies right in the middle of the disaster zone.

On this day, the children are off to Tono city by bus. Since the recent catastrophe, it will be their first recreational time away from the disaster zone. 22 children took part in this program, 19 from Akahama Elementary school evacuation center and three from Ritsurin Elementary school in Kamaishi city.

The project was planned by Tono city Council of Social Welfare and Tono Magokoro Network, and operation is looked after by Iwate Recreation Association and Tono Recreation Association. Since the tsunami devastation, strong stench has been looming over the disaster zone. This recreational program began out of the desire to give children a chance to relax and play in the fresh air of nature.

Win or loose, they were all smiling and laughing!

For the first time in ages, it was so much fun!

　When the children arrived at the Kashiwagidaira Lake Resort in Tono city, they were greeted by many recreation volunteers.

First, the children and volunteers played games such as paper-scissors-rock, number-crunching, and voice game. The venue was soon filled with excitement and laughter. When interviewed, the children told us "The evacuation center is too crammed to play", "We can't make noise at the evacuation center so it was good to be able to burst out loud" and "For the first time in ages, it was so much fun".

At lunch time, everybody made pizzas together by hand. The children put toppings of their choice and had it cooked at the facility's stone oven. The children were very excited. "I never imagined we get to do this". "We don't get to eat this at the evacuation center". There were also soup and dumplings in case pizza wasn't enough. After everything was knocked off, everybody was full and satisfied.

We feel recharged by the clean air

　In the after noon, they all played outside. There were activities like the giant skipping rope, bamboo dancing, flying disc, and ring catching, which children could participate in a form of stamp rally.

The members of Tono high school volleyball club that volunteered said they were glad to be able to cheer the children up.

When some of the children started sliding down the grassy bank, everyone followed. Despite getting their clothes dirty, they could stop as they were having too much fun. Everybody enjoyed themselves to the fullest. When a new paper journalist interviewed them, the children said "We feel recharged by the clean air".

Mr. Hirofumi Iwakiri, the deputy principal of Akahama Elementary school, was watching over the children warmly as they played happily together. According to him, most of the children have lost their homes. He also pointed out that the children need to have somewhere to get together and play, especially when they move out of the evacuation center and into individual temporary housing.

At the end of the day, everybody exchanged hand shakes. As the volunteers waved goodbye, the children kept waving back from the bus.
This program is has since been running every weekend. Once a courtesy bus can be secured, more children from Otsuchi, Kamaishi, Ofunato and Rikuzentakata city will be invited. There are also plans for programs with sleep-overs like camping.

More recreation volunteer projects starting up

　More recreation volunteer projects are starting up in regions devastated by Great East Japan Earthquake. Besides the one in Tono city, new projects are starting up across Iwate prefecture, including temporary programs in cities like Miyako, Kamaishi and Ofunato. There is also the "Iwate Children's Recreation squad".

In Miyagi prefecture, a new program for the elderly will take place at the evacuation center and Onagawa gymnasium. In the neighboring Onagawa Daini Elementary school, a new recreational program for children will also begin.

In Fukushima prefecture, most of the activity has been at inland evacuation centers. There are now, however, new projects being planned for the coastal regions like Soma and Minami Soma city.

National Recreation Association of Japan is now accepting applications for the recreational volunteer program "Team Recrew" in order to support the efforts by these regional communities. Applicants will receive information regarding volunteer work and the situations in disaster zone.
Alternatively, you may directly contact the local volunteer coordinator in Iwate, Miyagi or Fukushima prefecture.