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Okinawa Kibou 21 (Hope21 Okinawa): send Fukushima kids to R & R

Okinawa Kibou 21 (Hope21 Okinawa): send Fukushima kids to R & R

Old Jul 10, 2012, 7:12 am
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Okinawa Kibou 21 (Hope21 Okinawa): send Fukushima kids to R & R

This charity, founded by in Japan by photojournalist Ryuichi Hirokawa (Editor-in-Chief of Days Japan) and singer Tatsuya Ishii, is "Okinawa Kibou 21″ (Hope21 Okinawa), pays for transportation, lodging, meals and recreation for Fukushima Prefecture children (and one accompanying parent) affected by the horrible and catastrophic March 11, 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. Mr. Ishii personally donated 20 million yen at the press conference in March announcing the effort.

Many Fukushima Prefecture children can not go outside except for home and school - when they do go out, they must wear cumbersome protective gear, and are subject to stresses of radiation, fear of the unknown and being kept indoors for lengthy periods.

The children affected by the Fukushima catastrophe fly to sunny Okinawa (Ryukyu Islands) and enjoy respite and recreation on Kumejima / Kume Island, an hour's boat ride from the city (and airport) of Naha, providing food, shelter and transport. The site of an old pottery factory is being used, and extensive renovation will provide classroom, lodging, dining and social- recreational facilities.

As we understand it, both money and UA miles (for travel on NH) are acceptable. Website for donation (In Japanese, requires Google translation or similar for non-Japanese speakers; donation is somewhat ponderous, using interbank transfer.)

Founder "Mr. Hirokawa in 1991 to create a "Chernobyl Children's Fund", and has continued support to the Ukraine and Belarus. Talking about measures of Tokyo Electric Power Co. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident, "The most important thing is to avoid exposure to any more" and..." (more requires logon to Asahi Shimbun newspaper).



Though this charity has no US, UK or the like tax deductible status, after consultation and vetting, it has been decided allow it.

Last edited by JDiver; Jul 10, 2012 at 7:20 am
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Old Jul 10, 2012, 12:58 pm
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Thank you very much, cblaisd, JDiver, SanDiego1K for allowing this charity on the forum.


As someone who asked for permission, I am very glad to see this posted.



Your 12,000 miles from UA account can fly a kid from Fukushima to Okinawa roundtrip. They stay there for 10 to 14 days.

I will update this thread regularly.

English Website.
http://kuminosato.net/english-2/

Bank account info.
http://kuminosato.net/english-2/dear-supporters/


Last edited by O Sora; Sep 3, 2013 at 11:50 am Reason: Link update
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Old Jan 15, 2013, 5:06 am
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Okinawa center offers respite for Fukushima kids ーJapan Times

Found a Japan Times article on this.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20130115a2.html

Quoting some paragraphs.

Okinawa center offers respite for Fukushima kids

A center set up on Kumejima Island in Okinawa is providing active recovery support for children affected by the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture.

Kumi No Sato, some 100 km west of Naha, Okinawa's capital, was set up by the nonprofit organization Okinawa Kumi No Sato after the nuclear crisis began in March 2011 as a way to help disaster-afflicted children in Fukushima stay healthy.

The facility, which opened last July, is modeled after a recuperation center in Belarus set up in 1994 for child victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident. Photojournalist Ryuichi Hirokawa, 69, who helped run the center, is using his experience there to manage Kumi No Sato.
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