2014.08.25 05:16
Tomodachi Curry® Event (8/24 2014 at Kaisei Temporary Housing Complexes, Ishimonaki, Miyagi)
On August 24th(Sun), we had an opportunity to serve Tomodachi Curry® and spend great time with the residents of Kaisei Temporary Housing Complexes, Ishinomaki, Miyagi.
Kaisei Complexes are one of the largest temporary housing complexes in Ishinomaki, where 1,000 households, i.e. 2,455 people are living. Through kind mediation of Mr Hiroaki Endo, the chairperson of the residents' association of the 9th, 10th and 13th Complexes, we were given this opportunity to hold the event for 206 households living in these complexes.
The event site was the open space in front of the 13th Complex. Though it was very hot and humid, the sky was clear and great for working outdoors.
From early in the morning, all the preparation was done in the meeting room of the Complex where the event was held. We also asked residents of the building to come and help. Our aim was to boost the mood among the residents through friendly conversation during the preparation. As usual, Mr Mitsuru Hatakeyama, the director of Okago Christian Martyrdom Museum, came all the way from Okago to help.
We did not serve our usual naan bread this time but cooked rice together with the residents to create the atmosphere of collaboration. As ever, 20 litres of milk for the spiced tea to be served with Tomodachi curry® was kindly donated by Mr Nobuaki Sudo from Senmaya, Ichinoseki. Also 16kg of chicken was offered for free by Mr Keishi Onodera of the Rotary Club of Iwate Senmaya. We are truly grateful for their generous supports extended to us every time we have an event.
After starting cooking, it was a battle against the summer heat. A young and muscular staff member of our foundation was in charge of the curry pot.
Tomodachi Curry® was ready just before the lunch time. The participants received a plate of rice and queued up for two kinds of curry. Mr Sarath Dayananda from New Zealand, who served rice on a plate for everyone, was a supporter of our foundation and came from Kunitachi, Tokyo for this event. And it was Mr Ikuo Takeyama, the president of the Committee for the establishment of the Memorial Monument for Kamaya District, who put curry on rice. He lost his daughter, wife and mother all at the same time in Okawa district and is now living at a temporary house in Ishinomaki.
In the comfortable meeting room which was large enough and equipped with an air-conditioner, we enjoyed food and conversation. Especially children gobbled Tomodachi Curry® as if they had a wolf in their bellies.
We enjoyed every moment with people living at Kaisei Temporary Housing Complexes from preparation early in the morning to clearing up after meal. Through our Tomodachi Curry®, we continue to interact with those who are forced to live in temporary houses. "Fighting back against their current plight in life, I hope these children will grow up to work not only for the devastated Tohoku and Japan but also for the entire world", said the board chairperson, Mr Yasuhiko Sata. In response to the request, we are going to hold another Tomodachi Curry® event at the 12th Housing Complex of Kaisei Temporary Housing Complexes on October 26th (Sun).
Lastly, we wish the best of health and happiness for people at Kaisei Temporary Housing Complexes.
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2014.08.25 05:16 admin
