Rebuilding community from tsunami with education

Dear supporters,

Thank you always for your support.  We are heading to summer, season of planting rice at MORIUMIUS as well as local organic rice farmer.

We have been busy working with local elementary school to organize monthly sustainable learning program.  Every month since April, students spend one day at MORIUMIUS.  In order for them to understand more about the natrual environment of Ogatsu, become greener citizen, and gain proud to be local, the program will continue until March. 

Fisrt week of May is holiday week in Japan.  Many children have gathered to participate to photograph workshop with porfessional photographer visiting from Tokyo.  Children explore the nature of Ogatsu, taking photographs in the forest, farm land, and at ocean.  Working with non profit organization helping children from low income families have raise fund to invite children to MORIUMIUS.  Three days program in nature with locals empowered them to be away from home, spend quality time with friends, and learn how to be sustainable.

Newly renovated former princpals house has been in use by the locals.  Recently, we have organized event to hear stories of the school when they were young.  Interns who have been working with us since June had good interaction with the locals.

We are going to organize one week program starting from July 22.  There will be five weeks of the most exciting time at MORIUMIUS.  Children from all around the world will gather and enjoy the rich nature as well as local people.  I will update you about this summer in the next newsletter.

Warm regards,

Gentaro Yui

Dear supporter,

Thank you for your continous support.  After the cold winter, spring is almost here at MORIUMIUS!

Cherry trees are getting ready to bloom, and plum trees have already started to bloom.  We have had cold but exciting winter.  Miso making is only done in winter.  Twenty five local children gathered to create miso for next year.  Using local organic soybeans with handmade Koji, bacteria necessary to ferment miso, and with handmade salt we have created over 100kg of miso in one day!  Also, winter is the season for seaweed.  Children will go out to ocean to collect seaweed with fisherman.  One of the most important seaweed in Japan is Konbu.  Konbu is used dry to make delicous broth.  Childen layed Konbu seaweed on the wood deck of MORIUMIUS to be dried.

Now we are in Spring Break, many children are gathering.  One of the highlight was that we had a group from a foster home in Tokyo.  They seemed to enjoyed the nature, sustainable living of MORIUMIUS, and certainly shocked with the story of Ogatsu listening to a local storyteller.  Children seemed to be motivated and created connection to the community.

Our newest member, Berinda, a goat who was pregnant arrived in January and gave birth to twin girls in February.  They are now a important member in our sustainable life.

Last news would be to renovate the old house that principals of the elementary school used to live.  Once an old house is now turned into community cafe for locals to gather.  Although population is still 1/4 of the original, it was a bright news for locals.  They were so happy to see the house been renovated, already gathering daily basis and interacting with visiting children.

Going into warm season, MORIUMIUS will be filled with voices of children.  Please keep watching us for more amazing journey providing learning opportunity to revitalize community.