One year on
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Yesterday was exactly one year on from the big earthquake & the subsequent tsunami that struck North East of Japan.
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I pray for the 15,854 people that didn’t make it that day, the 3,155 people that are still missing, & offer my heart to their families & friends who are still coming to terms with their grief. Not only that, my heart cry for the poor residents of the affected areas going through such a tough, tough time. There are more than 330,000 people living in temporary accommodation (including those staying with family & friends or in hotels), many of them unsure of what the future will be like.
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Living is extra difficult after the triple meltdown at Fukushima plant. As well as the debris, the soil within large vicinity has been polluted & the current news/ debate in Japan is where to dispose the millions of tonnes of polluted soil that’s been scraped up. Understandably no town wants to agree to placing the temporary storage facility the government is proposing.
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The discharged nuclear pollutants has also plagued the residents with health fears. And worries are abound, especially for the children, as to how this would affect them if atall eventually.
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Ever since when the disaster struck last year, I have a small donation box on my stall table at the market. I would like to take this opportunity to report to you that this little box has so far raised £365.53. Isn’t it amazing!? Thank you Broadway Market goers!!! The generosity you have shown is truly touching… I have been donating this money in batches to Red Cross Japan. - Yes, in recent days the donation amount has been really low (2 weeks ago, it only collected 50p…!) but every little counts as they say! ^^ ArigatÅ.
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Ps: The Japanese government has designed a campaign to express gratitude for its support for the Japan Earthquake. As part of the St Patrick’s Day Festival on Sunday March 18th in London, Japanese performers including maiko, geisha & traditional instrument performers will take part in the ARIGATO parade. – There is also “Tasting Japan” experience at Westfield Stratford with Japanese food & alcohol!
My sixteen-year-old cousin’s best friend and his family (parents, a 14-year-old brother, a 11-year-old sister, paternal grandfather) are still missing.
He and his parents have taken in the 18-year-old son, family dogs and a cat into their care, but he and the surviving brother are struggling to accept a possibility they drowned, but they still cling to a hope the family are only displaced and that they would find their way home some day. Oh dear, my throat hurts.
Thank you for bringing our attention to the ARIGATO parade. I’ll be there. I know my family would like to be there, too, and they will.
Comment by Takae - March 12, 2012 9:06 am
Takae san
thank you for telling me about your cousin’s best friend & his family. My heart brakes with the mere thought of what he & the surviving brother must be going through… Whole family… Oh dear, I’m so sorry for him… It must be so tough… So good of your cousin’s family to take him in… I wish from the bottom of my heart that he finds his family soon. – Takae san, have a lovely day at the parade – I can’t be there which is a shame, I would’ve loved to join you… (but it’s my daughter’s birthday)
Comment by tamami - March 12, 2012 9:44 am
Tamami I think you are doing a great job at fundraising. Many congratulations! I read your blog for some time now and I know that you have also raised almost £2000 online too. Keep up the good work! All the best, Louise
Comment by Louise - March 12, 2012 5:37 pm
Louise, thank you very much for checking my blog out! Always nice to hear from you! ^^ Regarding fund-raising, I’m thinking of having the box on the stall for some time yet! xx
Comment by Tamami - March 12, 2012 6:02 pm
Already a year! It doesn’t seem possible. *sigh*
Comment by Jonquil - March 13, 2012 2:38 pm
Jonquil, so lovely to hear from you again!!!! – A year – I know, it feels so raw still…
Comment by tamami - March 13, 2012 2:42 pm
Dear Tamami,
I am with you in your prayers. I can’t even imagine the agony of those who lost their loved ones, every time I think about it my eyes well up. All I can say is that I hope that they find some solace and peace.
Is there anyway that people like me (outside UK) can donate online to the cause? I saw in the comment above that you have raised money online but I can’t seem to find a link to donate, am I missing something obvious?
Finally, on a happier note, a very happy birthday to your daughter (it’s tomorrow, yes?). I hope all her wishes and dreams in life come true.
Comment by Poornima - March 16, 2012 6:40 pm
Dear Poornima, thank you for enquiring about donating!!! You are such a good person…
Around this time a year ago, I set up a donation page (now closed) to persuade readers & friends to donate.
https://www.cocoandme.com/2011/03/12/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/
– At the time, red cross hadn’t yet organized a Japan specific relief, & when the disaster happened (it was friday, early morning in UK time), I wanted to donate straight away but couldn’t find a good place to do so. I thought that we were missing the crucial opportunity for collecting donation when people’s concern is at it’s highest.
– While I was baking that Friday, I kept checking the news – The images of devastating tsunami on the telly was so haunting… I baked with tears rolling down my cheeks. I felt so helpless – thinking about how powerless I was, despite my strong feelings to help them.
– Poornima, if you could, please find other place to donate. Your kind, beautiful thoughts to want to give is truly amazing. Thank you very much!!! Tamami xx
PS: yes! It’s on Sunday! ^^
Comment by Tamami - March 17, 2012 3:03 am
Thank you dear Tamami, for your kind words and for sharing your thoughts. I really feel them too. Sometimes we really are helpless to do anything even though we feel from all our heart :( But at least we can try to do what we can. You are doing your part and I will surely, surely find another way to donate too, I promise.
Take care and have a wonderful day on Sunday.
Poornima
Comment by Poornima - March 17, 2012 4:00 pm
Thank you Poornima! :) Yes, I’ll try to do what I can. I understand the importance of doing one’s part. And I am so happy that you feel the same way too. Thank you very much for your strong feelings to donate. All the best & I send many happy thoughts to you! t xx
Comment by Tamami - March 18, 2012 2:37 am