一般財団法人　連帯　東北・西南　RENTAI　TOHOKU-SEINAN

  Rentai Tohoku Staff, Liu and Tahir here.

  While urban areas such as Tokyo and Nagoya are already in the mood for Christmas and New Year, the distant disaster areas have only just begun their first steps towards recovery. We held a Christmas Party on 23rd December with the disaster victims who have been facing hardship for the past nine months to help relieve their stress and renew their hope for recovery.

  This Christmas event wasn't simply the usual meal distribution event hosted regularly by Rentai Tohoku. We met with people of the Residents' Association and decided to provide curry for 300 people (Rentai Tohoku and residents of the temporary housing would provide for 150 people each) and aim for an event in which the residents themselves would be actively involved.

• Preparation
  There are around 300 people living in the temporary housing at Takekoma Primary School, however due to inadequate space, it was not possible to erect an assembly hall. The event this time was therefore held at a hall Kamihosone, a short distance from the temporary housing. Since it was the day before Christmas Eve, the volunteers put up a large Christmas tree and the Coordinator of the Temporary Housing Residents' Association decorated the tree as well. Children gathered, naturally fascinated by the tree.

  Inside the hall at Kamihosone, residents have started preparing Japanese style curry. The Takekoma Primary School Temporary Housing team and the Rentai Tohoku team continued curry making in a friendly atmosphere.

  The children are very interested to see the volunteers who are trying to handle the giant cooking ladles inside the Rentai Tohoku tent.

  The children who are waiting for the curry to be ready are quite excited watching dances, Japanese traditional performances, singing, and Chinese shadow boxing.

• The meal begins
  At 12 o'clock, the people began eating and comparing the curries made by the residents' team and the Rentai Tohoku team.

  Although there is a tendency for there to be lack of communication between residents in the temporary housing, as a result of this sort of party, the residents were able to talk about their fond memories and thoughts.

• Memorable moments of this event
  The student volunteers from Nagoya brought lots of scarves and gloves handmade by Nagoya citizens and distributed them to the residents along with encouraging messages and good wishes.

  The Coordinator of the Temporary Housing Residents' Association surprised us when he distributed Christmas presents not only to the residents but also to ourselves.

• Conclusion

  This event on the 23rd of December was the last event of 2011, however, Rentai Tohoku will continue to support the recovery effort into 2012.

  Rentai Tohoku Staff, Liu and Tahir here.

  On Sunday 11th December we held a Pakistan Curry Party at a temporary housing estate built on a tennis court in Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture.

• Background
   The temporary housing at the Kesennuma tennis court is located at the border of Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, and is in an isolated location. At this time of year when the weather is becoming truly winter-like, and people tend to stay indoors, it is most vital to rejuvenate communication. At the request of the Coordinator, Temporary Housing Residents' Association, we decided to hold this event.

• Preparation
   For this event we received support from the Rotary Club, who arranged for all the equipment and ingredients. We prepared the ingredients to some extent the day before at the Center in Senmayacho, and departed for Kesennuma. Although it was snowing when we left Senmayacho, Kesennuma was blessed with good weather, just right for this event.

   The ladies gathered in the assembly hall and helped prepare the vegetables. Everyone was so skilled that there seemed to be no need of Tahir's instructions.

Men helped preparing the meat outside, in spite of the cold.

When the preparation of ingredients was complete, the curry-making began with Tahir.

When they finished their part of the preparation, the ladies team watched the curry making from the window while listening to Tahir's explanations.

• The curry is ready
   Piping hot curry was ready and the dishes were handed through the window.

• The meal begins
   The residents of the temporary housing, the volunteers, and Rentai Tohoku staff spent an enjoyable time talking to each other as though they were one big family. Eating the curry that was made by everyone warmed not only our bodies but also our hearts.

• After the meal
   While having Pakistani tea (chai) following the meal, we had a great time talking about the customs and culture of our countries, as well as about the recovery effort.

  At the end of the party, the residents of the temporary housing expressed their thanks and shook hands and we promised to come again.

We at Rentai Tohoku will continue to help, though little by little, deepen the bonds together with the disaster victims, while receiving their enthusiasm towards the recovery effort.