By Ma. Grazen Acerit | OISCA Japan Staff
Today, we'd like to share a story out of many lives you have changed - through supporting our project.
Hitoshi used to live a comfortable life from growing vegetables in his own farm located several meters away from the shoreline of Natori City in Miyagi. Unfortunately, the March 11 catastrophe did a major change in his life as his house and main source of income (agricultural machineries and greenhouses) were not spared by the raging eight meter high tsunami.
The high salt concentration of his farm prohibited him from growing vegetables with that of good quality. Because of this, he has to borrow money and invest on renting a piece of land away from the coast to grow broccolis, spinach and cauliflowers. However, despite this decision, his income is still dwindling because the quality of his vegetables are not the same as what he used to grow.In spite of growing it inside the greenhouse, his vegetables are still susceptible from salt damage, strong winds and windblown sands from the sea coast. These are some of the problems that he and the rest of the survivors are facing after the tsunami uprooted and wiped out the coastal vegetation, including the 300 year old black pine trees.
Hitoshi and the rest of the tsunami survivors felt the need to restore the coastal forests for the immediate recovery of their community. Although still suffering from the aftermath of the tsunami,he and the other survivors are working in collaboration with OISCA International, the local and national government of Japan, forest experts and funding agencies.
OISCA International`s experience in collaborative projects become very useful in the implementation of the Coastal Forest Restoration Project in Natori City. Hitoshi is one of the beneficiaries of the scheme of providing an immediate source of income among the tsunami survivors by subcontracting them to grow and raised black pine seedlings needed for the immediate recovery of the 100 hectare coastal land in Natori City.
Unlike the traditional dole out approach in helping the survivors, this scheme encourages a sense of ownership and guarantees a sustainable and long term involvement of the tsunami victims like Hitoshi as they are actively involve in the decision making and actual project implementation.
In honor of the 3rd anniversary of East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, GlobalGiving is hosting a matching campaign for projects that work for recovery in Tohoku area. Starting today, your donations will be matched 100% by GlobalGiving until matchign funds last. To donate, click on "give now" button below.
Thank you for your support for this project, and thank you for tranforming the lives like Hitoshi!
By Ma. Grazen Acerit | OISCA Japan Staff
By Angela Marie Tayco | Staff Member
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