The nine elementary schools and seven junior high schools in Rikuzentakata City in Iwate Prefecture suffered damage from the earthquake and tsunami. Most of these schools are using temporary classrooms at other schools. The classrooms and gymnasiums of the schools that suffered less damage were used as evacuation centers, and temporary housing has been constructed on their playgrounds. The children's school life has thus been disrupted . NICCO has been raising funds for those damaged schools since June 2011. The fund amounted to approximately 1,550,000 yen as of November 30th, 2011. We are grateful for your donations. Your warm cooperation allowed us to carry out the following activities at the request of school staff and parents. We will continue our school revitalization project to meet specific needs, hoping children can return to their normal lives as soon as possible. Your continuing support is highly appreciated.
Project period: June 2011-Present
Locations targeted: Rikuzentakata City (Iwate Pref.), Kesennuma City (Miyagi Pref.) and others
Outline: Support for the revitalization of elementary and junior high schools at the request of school staff and parents
Support for the resumption of club activities
Club activities have been suspended because of lack of space and financial constraints, though school classes resumed after the disaster. Even baseball, which is the most popular sport in the Tohoku region, is not an exception. Junior baseball teams were facing having to withdraw from the prefectural tournaments, even though the players had practiced hard to win the preliminary games.
NICCO supported the teams financially. The performance of the children at the prefectural tournaments encouraged their supporters, including parents and local residents.
Comment from Mr. Sasaki, the representative of the junior baseball club in Hirota Town:
"We parents struggled together with our children since we wanted them to play baseball without concern for the hardships we are facing. We smoothed the surface of the baseball diamond. Children practiced with more enthusiasm in spite of the less than ideal environment. We also felt encouraged since they could advance to the tournament games."
Comment from Mr. Kikawada, the representative of the junior baseball club in Otomo Town:
"Since our baseball club could not practice enough after the tsunami, we doubted if we could advance to the tournament. We felt so delighted that our team could play in the prefectural tournament, which we had once given up on. Some members live in temporary housing, or have lost family members. Although we faced numerous challenges one after another, having to make do without various things and not being able to do certain things since our baseball equipment and club room were wiped out by the tsunami, we only wished that the players would have the chance to play in the tournament. We were so fortunate that we could advance to the prefectural tournament, which we thought was beyond us as we endured such hardship since March, though we lost in the second round. We thank you so much for your support."
Supplying jerseys
We presented Kesen Junior High School students with 57 jersey jackets and 89 shorts, each printed with the name of the junior high school.
Comment from Ms. Kumagai, a teacher at Kesen Junior High School: "We have already distributed and used them at the gymnasium. Most pupils were affected by the disaster and lost many things. The local store which supplied our uniforms is also affected and so they are not available. This support was so helpful."
Book donation
The buildings of Otomo and Yonesaki junior high schools were damaged and classes are held at nearby elementary schools. NICCO presented both schools with 160 books donated by our members and supporters.
Otomo Junior High School (photo left), Yonesaki Junior High School (photo right): books were distributed to pupils for their libraries.
Repairing flowerbeds and playgrounds
The tsunami hit the first floor of the building and the playground of Otomo Elementary School. The playground was covered with debris and the flowerbeds were wiped out. We sent student volunteers from across the country, who worked hard to remove debris from the playground, and to clean and rebuild the flowerbeds.
Photo left: A student volunteer picking up debris and shards of glass from the playgrounds.
Photo right: Volunteers and elementary school children planting flowers in a flowerbed.
