Provide education tour for children in Kumamoto

Dear supporters,

 Thank you for your support on inviting children from Kumamoto to MORIUMIUS.  Since the magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Kumamoto in April of 2016, we have been inviting children every year from the disaster area.

This year was the third consecutive year to invite children from city of Kumamoto and from Mashiki town.  Twelve children were chosen by our local partners, some are still living in temporary homes waiting to get back to their homes.

The tour took place on the three day holiday weekend in October.  Despite the fact that huge typhoon was passing through Japan, children were able to fly safely from Kumamoto to Sendai.  Because of typhoon pasing Japan, the weather was perfect when the children arrived to MORIUMIUS.  Three days at MORIUMIUS was focused on sustainable living and food.  Children spent time in the forest as well as at the ocean, working with animals to sense the life in nature.  

One of the highlight was spending time with local storyteller.  Listening to what happned to this community in 2011 when tsunami destroyed 80% of the town was shocking.  It was also powerful to hear how locals are spening time since then.  The story was very motivating, listening to a local who is trying to create new community through people who have been supporting since the disaster.

Also, celebrated chef who spent his carrer at El Bulli in Spain and Astrid y Gaston in Peru has organized cooking program for children.  Using seafood caught by local fisherman, children worked with the chef to cook outdoor in Peruvian style.  Digging hole in the ground rapping marinated seafood and vegetables, covering them with heated rocks.  It was very simple but primitive.  Children were surprised to see food can be cook in the ground with rocks.

As I witness children been relaxed and enjoying their time here, I feel that there are two important meanings for them to be here.  One, to be away from the environment they are in.  Be in nature and being away allow their stress to be relieved.  Two, to feel and learn from other areas affected by disaster.  Tohoku region has suffered one of the worst tsunami disasters in recent history.  Since 2011, this region has shown resillience to the world and coming back from disaster.  To see and feel how community is recovering and creating positive impact, children where motivated towards their community. 

We are going to invite more children again in 2019.  I hope you could support this project again.

Thank you, 

Dear supporters,

Thank you for your continuous support!  On July 18, MORIUMIUS turned three years!  After opening its door to children in 2015, we have been receiving over 4,500 children and adults, providing sustainable learning experiences to children and to revitalize community once devastated from the massive tsunami in 2011.  The abandoned school closed in 2002, became one of the symbols of the community.  Many residents who have decided to stay are feeling joy seeing and interacting with visiting children.  We are also contributing to the community through hiring local staff as well as purchase local produce.

We have been working with local partners in Kumamoto, to invite children for this year's tour on October 6 through 8.  Third consecutive year, we are going to invite children from Kumamoto.  Starting in July, we have reaching out to children in Kumamoto.  Three day holiday weekend will be focused on food, working with local fisherman and farmers, as well as to work with chef to cook professional dishes using local ingredients.  

In spring break, we invited children from foster homes for our one week program.  Twenty children were here from Tokyo and Fukushima.  For most children, it was the first time to stay outside of their homes.  They seemed nervous in the beginning, but started to enjoy the environment specially taking care of animals.  Children seemed not use to cooking their own meals, washing dishes, and laundry.  Not only it was a great opportunity to be away from their homes, but also taking care of their own daily life was very important experience for them.  As more natural disaster struck Western Japan and people suffering, we hope to become a place for children in difficult conditions learning from other disaster area and the people living positively.

Recently, MORIUMIUS was ranked third in one of the largest newspaper in Japan as renovated school in nation.  This came out as surprise, but judges of this award gave very nice comments like small fishing village determined to receive children of future for creating their own future.  

Next report will be on the tour.  I will deliver the excitment children had here at MORIUMIUS!

Links:

• Ranking of renovated schools in Japan