Bring smiles to 500 children of Fukushima

Fukushima Kids Summer
Camp 2012– Report Date: 2012/7/23 (Mon) to 8/23 (Thurs)

Accepted regions: Hokkaido, Fukushima, Ehime Total number of participants: 518

Summary of Activities

Vice Chairperson Hirohiko Yoshida

The "Fukushima Kids" activities were started in the summer of 2011 in response to the Fukushima nuclear accident which will surely be remembered in world history. It is intended for the children of Fukushima during the long school holiday period. It also accepts kids from Hokkaido, where there are also concerns about radiation.  Since then activities have been held in the winter of 2011 and the spring of 2012, and on this occasion the 2nd summer event was celebrated.

This summer we responded to the requests of children to be able to "Swim safely" not only in Hokkaido by holding
activities at the Seto Inland Sea in Ehime. We also listened to the concerns of parents and guardians about their "worries of sending their kids far away" by offering a program in Fukushima Prefecture which allowed them to
choose activities in their home prefecture.

Our call for donations was met for the second consecutive year by a large donation from the Japan Society, as well as large amounts of financial support from other international organs such as GlobalGiving. Thanks to this support the activities were able to be confirmed. Upon receiving this we determined the number of children we could receive, and held briefing meetings to participants in the four districts of Fukushima (Fukushima, Koriyama, Iwaki, Soma) in July. Just like the previous year, wegathered a total of 520 participants.

On July 23 the first group of children set off for Hokkaido and by the start of August a total of 400 children in the other groups arrived in Onuma. From there they traveled all around Hokkaido.  After that activities in Samegawa Village, Fukushima, and Imabari, Ehime Prefecture, began, and on August 23 the final group of children returned from Hokkaido back to Fukushima. This bought the end to the 2012 Fukushima Kids Summer Camp.

Fukushima Message: A letter from a child

I like Fukushima but....

Since the Fukushima nuclear accident I have been unable to enjoy my favorite past time of playing outside. Now it is only during the Fukushima Kids activities that I am able to play happily outside as much as I like.

The word "radioactivity" was one which was used only by adults before the accident but is now commonly used even among us children. There are now concerns about entering the pool, and because the radiation levels are high at
the top of the drainage ditch I am also unable to run around there. PE takes place almost entirely in the gym. My current biggest concern is whether or not we will be able to hold sports day on the school playing field. Just like last
year, this year we were disappointed that the sports day was held in the gym without any relay races. There are various worries, and my mother and father have said: "Shall we take refuge in another prefecture?"

To which I immediately reply "No."

This is because I love Fukushima. It is because I love the grapes, peaches, and nature of Fukushima.

I am thankful for the support of so many people which has enabled me to participate in Fukushima Kids 3 times. I would like to convey my gratitude to those who planned various fun activities, the staff who took care of me, the students who played with me, and the kindness of the local people during the time I participated in Fukushima Kids.

Fukushima Kids
Executive Committee

  The Fukushima Kids Summer Camp 2012 has been successfully completed with support from GlobalGiving
Foundation and the donors.

  We started activities for those children in Fukushima, who are unable to lead their lives as children due
to the effect of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, so that we can present them with a secure and safe summer vacation at the very least. Approximately 500 children escaped the impact of the accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant even this year, and were able to spend a safe and relaxed summer vacation in Hokkaido, the largest region.

  The children played a lot, learned a lot, ate plenty, and went to bed exhausted.  They were able to feel the warmth of people through interactions with the local people.

  For the first time, the children spent a long summer vacation away from their parents, and they had a strong feeling of gratitude towards their parents.

  All this has been possible thanks to the support received from all over the world.

  The children will never forget this lifetime experience even after returning to Fukushima.We believe that these children will grow into adults who will emphatically shape the future of Fukushima.

  We have received letters of gratitude from children, who have participated in the camp, to all those who
have provided support. Here, we present a sample of one such letter. (This is a letter written before leaving Fukushima.)

       "To the people who are willing to accept me

                                                   Airi Seya, the 4th grade

The reason I took part in the Fukushima Kids camp was because I could no longer play outside due to the impact of
accident at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

I was not able to drink tap water, and I was able to play only for a short while with my friends. I was also not able to use the pool. The soil in the school yard reduced due to decontamination, and we used to study by putting ice in the classroom after closing windows so that the soil does not come into the classroom. (This is because there are no
coolers in the classrooms of schools in Fukushima.)

Last year was very boring. For a while after radiation was high, I used to refrain from playing in the neighborhood park.I was very hurt after the radiation started. On listening to news related to Fukushima prefecture, I felt very sad when people said terrible things as though the people of Fukushima are dirty.

So, I want to make a lot of friends in Hokkaido. I want to have as much fun as possible by playing outside, and I want to keep myself active. I would like to chat a lot with my friends. I want to have a variety of experiences. I want to do so many things which are not possible in Fukushima. I am really grateful to all those who have given donation in order to accept me.And, I am really looking forward to the two weeks in summer camp."

  On behalf of Fukushima Kids executive committee, we sincerely look forward to your continued support.

Yours gratefully.

Links:

• Fukushima Kids summer camp 2012