By Mayumi Yoshida | Representative Director
We hope that you are staying safe and healthy in these worrying times. Through this report, we wanted to let you know that JISP is committed to continuing our on-going project to support Hagibis survivors.
Since Oct 2019, JISP has been working to support the communities severely affected by Typhoon Hagibis, one of the most powerful tropical storms in several decades. Currently, we are focsing our efforts in supporting the people of Ohsato Town, Miyagi prefecture.
Up until March this year, we had been providing weekly salon activities for the residents of temporary housing complex, as well as in affected communities of Naka Kasukawa ward, to provide survivors with an opportunity to socialise, enjoy activities such as dancing, music and exercising. With the increasing spread of COVID-19 throughout Japan, however, any activity involving close interaction between people had to be halted as of early April, in order to prevent wider spread. Because of the restrictions on activities by care providers and support organizations, the survivers' access to social activities, and psyhosocial and physical support had become even more limited.
Our team had repeated discussions with the Heath & Welfare Dept of Ohsato Municipality and Soscial Welfare Council to see if there is any alternative way to continue supporting the survivors, while mitigating risks. As a result, we decided to establish "Hello Garden" where the survivors can enjoy farming, an activity which is inseparable part of most survivor's life but was taken away from them by last years flood. Wth the cooperation of a generous landlord who allowed us to use their farmland close to the temporary housing complex, we started up our Hello Garden Project in late April. On the opening day, a few residents including elderly couples, young mother and their small children enjoyed plowing the land and planting some vegetable. It is a small start, but we hope that the garden will eventually become a place which can provide joy and hopes for the residents of affected community!
Thank you very much for reading our report, for your contibutions and your continued support!
JISP Team
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