I am always stammering!

September 2011

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Booklet I am always stammering!

CONTENTS
- Introduction - Reports from Japan FUKUSHIMA VOICE from PRAY+LIFE - Fuku-Fuku Farm - The ceiling and the puppy love - Report from Indonesia Challenges in Rebuilding Post-Disaster (Hafiz Amirrol) - Report from overseas Voice from Canada (Chie Kinjo)

Many thanks to our sponsors:

Aki Warasawa, Ayumi Hashimoto, Emika Takahashi, Hiroshi Nishi & Keiko Nishi, Kojiro Koshikawa, Mai Harada, Mariko Mugitani, Masako Inoue, Mayumi Oyama & Hanson Endra Kusuma, Miho Yoshizaki, Ryo Araki, Norio Matsuba & Hiroko Matsuba, Saori Seki, Yumiko Arima, Rumah Kita Bunko and friends. (Honorities omitted.) Japan Indonesia Network (JIN).

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What is Booklet I am always stammering!?

I am always stammering! was initially the title of a discussion. I planned the event where people can discuss freely about any topic. Then, on 11 March 2011, Japan was hit by the unprecedented disasters caused by Earthquake and Tsunami. The nuclear accident also occurred in Fukushima. So the first I am always stammering discussion held two weeks after the disaster was combined with charity event. The donations made by a lot of warmhearted friends in Indonesia have been sent to the relief project by Shigeru Ban Architects. As time passed, the support activities have declined; however, the people in affected area are still living in fear. Nevertheless it is not easy for Japanese residents overseas to go there. What can we do? Support activity can be provided overseas as well as on site. At least we can send out information and share them with Indonesian (and also foreign countries') friends. Indonesia had also experiences with Earthquakes and Tsunami. Disaster can happen at any time anywhere. Thats why we want to share information, experiences and knowledge. We believe that Not to forget is one of preparedness for disaster. Then we decided to issue bimonthly Booklet I am always stammering! in English. We hope our small voices can reach you. Thank you.

Kumiko Homma (editor)

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Copyright of photograph: PRAY+LIFE

About PRAY+LIFE
Each person has his own face. Each person lives his own life within their jobs, circumstances, families and friends. Even if each voice is small, any voice can be a segment for our future. On March 11, Fuskushima was hit by a devastating Earthquake, Tsunamis and Nuclear accident. The daily lives of people changed in an instant. The fact confronted us with something day after day. I could not accept the shock of the disaster because it was too big. In such a situation, I got the idea to leave the experiences and feelings lost with time. If we find their faces as a human, something will be changed even a little. So I started to interview the people who lived in Fukushima and recorded one story per person. After the interviews, I knew that each of them lived with different thoughts, circumstances, surroundings, information sources, families and friends. Life is constructed with a lot of complicated things. So it is impossible to judge which theory is correct, which is not. There are just the living itself. I know what I can hear from the interviews and what I can tell you are only a part of them. They are very little. Someone could be hurt. Someone wants to forget. It still makes me hesitate. However, I decided to put their voices out because people I interviewed were very appealing even in such difficulties. I felt their very existences have the power to produce the future. There are many problems remaining. I think it could happen not only in Fukushima but also anywhere anytime. I sincerely appreciate those who told me and hope the voices to be a pray for the future.

(Translated by Kumiko Homma) Copyright of PRAY+LIFE

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Fuku-Fuku Farm

May 2011, from Tabito-machi, Iwaki

We would like to put our cattle out into the pasture, to let them graze and grow up comfortably. We want to make cheese from their fresh milk and food that our family likes to eat. We want the local people to enjoy the food we make. We want to see their smile, we want to communicate with them. We want to live among the local people while keeping good relationship with them and making a living from locally produced products. Having a dream like that, Mr. and Mrs. Fukumoto looked for land and finally found it in Kaidomari, Tabito-machi. It was three years ago. The pastureland had been abandoned for more than 15 years, now covered with bushes. It was the new world of hope for them. They named the place Fuku-Fuku Farm, and stepped on the soil of Kaidomari with full of hope. First, they needed a house to live. They converted an office cabin into a house by their hands. They removed some parts of the wall to make windows and boarded the concrete floor. They put heat insulation on the outer wall and then warmed themselves up with a wood-burning stove. They got some big stones from a construction site and smashed them into pieces by hammers to make gravel to cover the rough path. A

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neighbor brought them an old bathtub, so that they could take a bath with hot water heated by kerosene. Next, they started preparing grazing land to keep cattle. Clearing thickets, cutting off branches of trees, they made grazing land and a plot for vegetables. To make their living, Norio Fukumoto got some jobs in the mountain, worked as a construction laborer and delivered newspapers while his wife, Natsu, who had teaching experience found a post as a substitute for a teacher who was on maternity or childcare leave, and then became a part-time teacher at a primary school. While they did those jobs, they kept clearing the land. A year past in a flash. In August next year their long-awaited cattle came to the farm. The opening of Fuku-Fuku Farm. Cattle walked around the pasture, their dung returned to the soil, and the soil grew grass for the cattle to eat. Sometimes children came and played on the farm, other times Norio and Natsu enjoyed the peacefulness outside. They grew vegetables and grass for winter, and when autumn came, they mowed the grass with a mowing machine and made hay in a vinyl greenhouse. Next year they started producing cheese on a full scale. In autumn 2010, the third year since they moved in Kaidomari, they started selling their handmade cheese. Their dreams came true. The next dream of Natsu was to open a caf in Fuku-Fuku Farm. Their handmade cheese came to be known more and more, visitors to the farm increased little by little. It was the day of the primary school graduation. When Natsu got home after the ceremony at school, she found Norio taking a break after being interviewed for a TV program. Then the ground shook. They turned on TV and watched a visual record of tsunami striking the northern area. It looked just like a spectacle from a movie. The earthquake didnt do much damage to their farm, so they didnt realize what actually happened on that day. They worried about the nuclear power plant, but TV news said, There would be no problem. After the next day, they got to realize how serious the situation was. When they visited a friend in the neighborhood, they found him preparing for evacuation. When they called a shop where they were going to deliver cheese, they were told that it was impossible to open shops in town. TV news was still repeating, There would be no problem. But Norios brother called from Tokyo and told him, Youd better leave as soon as possible. Norio started thinking about evacuation and asked a local government office how to evacuate the area. We havent considered any plan of evacuation at this stage. Were afraid that it may be impossible. That was the answer.

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How come the government doesnt care much about protecting the lives of the citizens of the town, of the prefecture, of the nation? Norio was astonished. If something happens, we have to protect ourselves, he decided. Cattle can survive at least half a year in the pasture. I have to think about my familys safety first. In the morning of March 16, they left the farm and went to a hotel in Tokyo. Maybe we cannot come back. A thought arose in their minds even though they couldnt express it.

While In Tokyo they couldnt think about anything but the people in Kaidomari. They wanted to help those who stayed. Both of them were too restless to sleep. They got some information about Iwaki from Twitter and sent it to the people in Kaidomari. They made phone calls and were told, We cant get neither petrol nor kerosene. That piece of information made them decide to go back. Lets go back and see the situation. Three days after they moved to their friends house, they bought petrol and kerosene as much as they could carry in the car and went back to Kaidomari. When they returned, they unexpectedly found that things had been almost back to normal in Kaidomari. They felt so relieved and started their ordinary days in the farm again.

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In spring, came the planting season. The farmers in Kaidomari started planting as soon as they got approval from JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives). According to news, the radiation dose in this area was higher than other areas in Iwaki City. But the farmers said, Compared to the place where the dose is the highest, its much lower here. Not every vegetable was tested. There was not enough information what kinds of vegetables were not allowed to ship. They didnt know how to test their products at home. It would cost too much anyway. Elderly farmers smiled and said, Thats OK with us, or We dont know if we can sell our rice or not, but we need rice for ourselves to eat anyway. And they kept working in the fields. In the season of edible wild plants, they had a festival of hunting edible wild plants. While Norio and Natsu felt a doubt creeping into their minds little by little, they helped organize the festival and talked with other people how to liven up the spirits of the people in Kaidomari. Then happened a big aftershock. The ground shook more violently than the quake in March. An earthquake directly below the area. In Kaidomari, spring water was gone, mountain streams dried up. Landslides killed some people. Boom! Boom! Since 11 March, there was the sound of explosions day and night as if somebody was launching fireworks between the mountains. Now they knew that it was an advance warning of an earthquake. After the aftershock, Norio and Natsu began to think again of what to do. Dont just compare to other places. We have to know exactly about radiation, about the state of contamination of this land. We must look at the reality. Farmers have to touch the soil and inhale dust every day. They also have to work in the rain. The reference value of radiation dose is set without considering such case of radiation exposure dose. The government announces the measured value of radiation dose of water-washed vegetables. The radiation dose of grass in pasture is much higher than other vegetables. And cattle eat it without washing. Naturally the radiation dose of milk becomes high. Contamination is more and more concentrated in the pasture and radioactive substances remain ever since. A recycling-oriented farming causes a vicious circle like that. In the environment like this, we cannot produce anything we can sell with confidence. I dont want anybody who lives in the area full of danger of external exposure to eat food which may cause internal exposure as well. Some of our customers tried to encourage us and asked us when we are going to start our business again. But we

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dont want sell. We are now in the unusual environment. In the unusual environment, we cannot do usual business. If it is possible to change the soil or perfectly remove radioactive substances, we want to stay. But we have learned how and it is difficult to decontaminate pasture. Also we cannot expect any help for the decontamination. We have to do it by ourselves for decades, for all our life. That means we have to give up producing cheese. We also cannot invite children to our farm. Every day we wear masks, and run into a house when it rains. We have to live like that all the time. If we stay here, the life like that would be a burden on our next generation. If we choose to stay here, some people might think this land is OK. But actually it is not OK. It would be better to move somewhere else and produce cheese again. During summer holidays, we invite the children in this area to our farm. We grow vegetables safe to eat and send them to the children here. Its much more like a positive way of living, weve come to think that way. For the people who have no choice other than to stay here, their way of thinking might not be quite welcome. A lot of agricultural producers in Fukushima are afraid of raising their voices. Even though they think in that way, they dont dare to speak openly. Everybody thinks We have to keep going. But how many of them can actually keep going forward? Even each specialist in radiation effect might have a different opinion about such a matter. But if the people who live here dont speak up about the danger of internal exposure, they might dig their own graves in the end. It is the reality. Whichever they choose, it would be a bitter choice. It is painful to choose. No one knows which choice is the right one until the end. Still, they have to choose. After grappling to find an answer, they decided to leave Kaidomari. Until now I thought if we have hope and make our effort, we will be rewarded in some way. But now Ive learned even though while we are having a happy life, we can drown into trouble like this and lose everything at any moment. To protect ourselves, we have to take part in the society even though its bothersome. We have to speak up, we have to state what we think. Its very important. It may be a small matter, but everything will start from it, I think. I want to keep cattle. Weve already started producing cheese. To be honest, I want to keep going in this place. But, for me, it is the most important that my family can have a healthy life. Going into the mountain and taking some berries to make jam. Enjoying the beauty of the nature and the changes of the seasons. Seeing calves were born, milking cows, staying outside without doing anything, watching the stars. In winter, being warmed up

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beside a wood-burning stove. After getting up in the morning, going to see the nest of the hens. Hey, weve got eggs again! Such joys of ordinary days. The days in Kaidomari. (Translated by Ribeka Ota) ********************

The ceiling and the puppy love

Nana went straight home after her school as usual and sat at her desk to do her homework. Nana lives in a municipal apartment on the 3rd floor with her parents and her 6 siblings. On March 11th, two of her younger sisters, her 2nd oldest brother and her mother were staying at home. There was a sound coming from TV and it seemed to be just another usual afternoon. Suddenly, the earth quake struck them. The shelves fell over, their things were thrown all over across the floor, the wall made loud squeaky noises, and a crack formed on the ceilings across the rooms.

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Nana ran to the living room where her mother was. Her mother was holding the little sisters under her arms and shouted, Not safe here, put your shoes on and well go outside! Nana staggered in the shaking room. She tried to stay close to her mother and brother and walked toward the front door. She put on her shoes and went outside. They went to a safe area and looked for her two other brothers who were on the way coming home from school. They found the two brothers, both were safe. If there is another big shake, our home might collapse. they thought. They decided to go to an evacuation area instead of going home. The people there were saying Tsunami would come. Mother tried to reach Nanas father and called him many times. Nanas father works at a nuclear power plant company by the sea. Please stay safe! they all prayed. When the earthquake occurred, her father was still at work. He was told to evacuate immediately. He got into a car leaving most of his belongings behind. All the phone calls he made to home did not go through. Nanas father was already nearby when the call finally went through. Nanas family was relieved to find out everyone was safe. But the situation at the shelter was not as good as they hoped. The shelter can only spare either one rice ball or one bread, the children were hungry, there is also possible danger of the house collapsing, water or other supplies cannot come and news of the nuclear accident terrifies them. Radioactivity cant reach over here so we are fine, said people at the shelter, trying to console Nanas mother. She was having headache and nausea from the shocks and those words didnt help her to calm down. The aftershocks keep happening. I am worried about the radioactivity. There is not enough food... how am I supposed to protect my kids? Nanas mother thought. Her family then decided to stay with their relatives in Yokohama. As soon as they arrived in Yokohama, they heard news about the Unit 3 explosions. This may be bad. If it gets worse, we might not be able to go back home for 10 or 20 years, said the father, who has experience working inside the nuclear power plant. We cant go back to Fukushima anymore?. The family was stunned by the thought of it. The fathers colleague contacted him. He said, I was taking care of the explosion. I had to leave because it exceeded the allowable limit (of radioactivity). Nanas family was afraid that the father might have to go to the nuclear power plant as well if his company asks him. Not long after, the company contacted him. It was an order to go to a thermal power plant.

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Father and mother went back to Iwaki (in Fukushima) first without the children. The house was left as it is after the earthquake. Mother didnt want this mess in the house to remind children about the earthquake. So she threw away all the broken objects, cleaned up the rooms and put everything back to the way it was as if nothing ever happened. When she felt the house was ready, she went to Yokohama to bring her children back home.

However, only a few days after Nana and her family returned to Iwaki, another major earthquake occurred again. It was raining and there was lightning on that day. Nana immediately ran outside barefoot in the rain. I dont want to go home! Im scared! The family decided to go to a shelter with Nana who was still frightened by the earthquake. They went around several shelters, asking if they could stay although their house wasnt collapsed. They managed to find a shelter that would take them in. Every time there was a rumor among children that said, There will be an earthquake on this day, Nana was filled with anxiety. Lightning or raining also made her anxious and made her cry. I dont want to go home, said Nana. The family comforted her and took her home, but Nana would wake up alone in the middle of the night and couldnt go back to sleep. When Nanas little sister or brother jumped around the house and shook it even a little, Nana would get frightened and cried. Because of this situation the family had to go back and forth the shelter. Whenever a doctor came to the shelter, the mother consulted about Nanas situation. Some doctor would say, Its the parents fault. You should just go back and stay home and other doctors would say, Forcing and taking her back home would make it worse

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so give her some time to adjust. The only thing the mother could do was to wait and see. There was also another concern. Its the impact of the radioactivity on children. The fact that radiation is not visible made their fear it more. Even though the parents told the children, Dont touch dirt or water. No more playing with water, the children often forgot and played with them the next day. It was very hard to say No more dirt, water or flower, since it is young childrens normal behavior to play with them. However, Nanas parents had to make sure that their children would have a future. They later learned about what happened to the people of Chernobyl. They were not worried about themselves, but they dont want the same fate to happen to their children. Nana said, Since people tell me not to go outside, I play cards, games or make our own card games and play with them inside. But Im not scared because the number of radioactivity is low in Iwaki. Only small children wear masks in my school. There are some children who were wearing masks because of hay fever but not for the radioactivity. I cant do anything if I worry too much. The mother continued, Even though it says the radioactivity number is lower in Iwaki, it is not a usual number. I think there is quite amount of radioactivity and I am cautious about it. I would like to move to safer place for my children. But when I think of how Fukushima people are discriminated outside, it discourages me to move out from Fukushima. Im afraid to go to Tokyo because I heard the news about the bullying in Tokyo towards kids from Fukushima. No one is to be blamed but I am very reluctant to move now. I want outside people to know what we are going through in Fukushima. If all the people in Fukushima were told to evacuate, I would be happy to do so. However, I am afraid how people would treat us if my family moves to other place on our own. There were tears in her eyes as she was talking. The mother added, I want the children to know that they have done nothi ng wrong to deserve this. The shelter became a place that people get together, unite, and comfort each other for both adults and children while they are still facing anxiety. It seems like children are at ease while they are playing together. The children also started to volunteer taking care of others and assisting cooking. They learned about caring for others and the

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importance of working together through this experience. It is clear that something changed inside of them. After living in the shelter for quite some time, Nana met a boy of the same age. He became her boyfriend, a puppy love. The positive experience in the shelter has slowly transformed her fear into strength, Nana is now ready to get her life back. Nana said We can go home! The person who check houses came and said its ok. So it is ok now! During the holidays in May, the family finally returned to their own home.

(Translated by Chie Kinjo) ********************

Challenges in Rebuilding Post-Disaster

Hafiz Amirrol
The main problem with rebuilding and reconstruction projects after a disaster lay first in the scale of the destruction of buildings and infrastructures and, to a lesser extent, in the poverty of those who suffered the tragedy (i). In the three worst hit countries of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, the majority of people who suffered lived on the margins, on the edge both of the sea and of society. Houses were often fragile and so the violence of the waves rendered extraordinary

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numbers of people homeless. Along the coasts of Southern India and Sri Lanka, virtually all homes were destroyed in a belt stretching up to half kilometres inland, for hundreds of miles. In Aceh, no houses at all were left standing over many acres of land, and large amounts of land were permanently lost. Almost 700,000 people were made homeless. In addition to these shelter problems, clean water, sanitation and hygiene issues were at the poorest level, contributing to the spread of diseases. With serious defects of medical facilities, these problems had worsened the living standards of the disaster victims. After a disaster of such magnitude, defining and classifying needs, quantifying reconstruction activities, financing modalities and resourcing approaches were not easy tasks. The need for a systematic developmental framework is crucial in each of the relief work and intervention. Post-disaster development cannot simply be viewed from the perspective of a single building project. It is not simply a problem to be solved. Rather, these rebuilding programs are complex social redevelopment institutions that interact in many ways with a range of societal issues and surviving daily life in a broader perspective. Consequently, these rebuilding programs can only be addressed responsibly within a broader developmental framework, which addresses the realities of the context. In all disaster-hit areas in poor countries, the most dominant of these realities are poverty, health and education problems, unemployment and scarce resources. A defining condition of poverty and hardships is that it is necessary to pool resources and to work more collectively (ii). Four central dimensions lie at the core of such a developmental framework: 1. The need to stimulate the emergence of qualitatively decent total living/working/learning environments. 2. Identifying the need to use reconstruction and rebuilding initiatives to generate employment. 3. The need to stimulate social cohesion through a reflexive design and planning program. 4. Participative roles of community as an important process. 1. Stimulating the Emergence of Qualitatively Decent Total Environments A feature of most rebuilding and reconstruction initiatives is their narrow definition into fast and cost effective programs only. The resulting environments are almost poorly designed and built, unfailingly monotonous, sterile and non-supportive, even when money from external humanitarian aid is reasonably adequate (iii). The quality of these rebuilding projects is not only determined primarily by the quality of a singular building but also by the quality of the public spatial environments. Agencies which work on these programs need to work collectively with proper coordination on a well

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planned redevelopment blueprint to stimulate a qualitatively decent total environment for living, working, learning and even playing. There is a need for a paradigm shift within the concern of rebuilding a massively destructed disaster-hit area, which thus far has been dominated by two powerful ideologies: the political ideology of building economics and design ideology of standardization. The main concern of this approach is economics and efficiency (iv). The standardization design strategy had replaced rationalist thought with functionalistic design approach. A humanistic, integrative and pragmatic way of thinking which sought to create redevelopment order for urban or rural, in a manner which allowed considerable flexibility of interpretation has become somewhat lost. These vulnerable communities would be moving from the old to the new after being affected at large - physically, emotionally and economically. As relief works and rebuilding programs progress, these communities will also be in a motion of uncertainties. Thus, the task of relief workers and architects is to provide a reflexive design and offer a democratization of planning approach. The rebuilding blueprint strategies developed by various local and international agencies such as the United Nations and countrys representatives became a key mechanism for the implementation of the reconstruction and development programs for the affected areas. Our task was to further strengthen this blueprint and worked in line with its principle which emphasises the need to enhance the integration of society and economic opportunities and to contribute to the correction of building practices which promotes the idea of safe building for a community at risk. 2. Roles of Community as an Important Process In the 1973 BBC documentary series, The Ascent of Man, Jacob Bronowski regards cities as humanitys greatest act of community co-operation. The fact that disaster happens and people start to work together co-operatively towards a better rebuilding is an extraordinary feat. The British historian, Arnold J. Toynbee once quoted; The 20th century will be chiefly remembered by future generations not as an era of political conflicts or technical inventions, but as [an] age in which human society dared to think of the welfare of the whole human race as a practical objective (v). Every layer of the society should understand support roles and responsibilities. Decision makers and practitioners from NGOs including womens and children organizations to professionals, academicians, students, local authorities, parliamentarians, and community representatives should attain the understanding in being prepared and being able to manage disaster related plans, problems, and

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solutions. Networking events and programs could provide an intimate venue for practical interaction and exchange. The aims are to build knowledge, strengthen partnerships, create new ones, and provide platforms for sharing novel ideas and practices. Interventions in disaster areas must perform vital functions in structuring and organizing knowledge, not only for the beneficiaries, but also for stakeholders and designers in creating a safer and better place to live in, especially in the wild and dangerous areas that are vulnerable to destruction and calamity. Humanitarian works and rebuilding programs have become the interface and access point for the other development activities, ranging from socio-cultural activities to economic revitalization programs to capacity building to the local community at large. A total disaster risk management methodology must be adapted in order to achieve a sustainable cycle of activities, building performance and economy to help improve the life of the vulnerable communities. This methodology demands a collaborative effort in order to create continuous support for the strategic response and must involve all stakeholders, most importantly, the beneficiaries.

i. Kuntoro, M. (Dr.) (2005) BRR NAD-Nias: One Year After the Tsunami, BRR First Year Report, Badan Rekonstruksi dan Rehabilitasi Aceh Nias, Jakarta.
ii. Santoso, I. (2005) Lolos Dari Maut Tsunami, Radio 68 H&Q Communication, Jakarta. iii. Indonesian Human Development Report 2004 (2004), The Economics of Democracy:

Financing Human Development in Indonesia, BPS Statistics Indonesia, BAPPENAS and UNDP, Jakarta.
iv. Hardy, S. (ed.) (2008) Environmental Tectonics: Forming Climatic Change, Architectural

Association Agendas No. 6, AA Publications, London.

v. Toynbee, A. (1957) A Study of History, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Copyright of Hafiz Amirrol ********************

Voice from Canada

Chie Kinjo
On March 10th, 2011 9:46 pm local Vancouver time, a big earthquake and tsunami struck Japan. (March 11th 2011 at 14:46 in Japan time). The news reached Canada right away, the images of the tsunami taking over towns were broadcasted all over the television.

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There are about 20,000 Japanese living in Vancouver. Im sure all the Japanese people who are living outside of Japan were worried about their families, relatives and friends in Japan. I tried to contact my family in Saitama right away. However, the phone line was down so I couldnt find out what was happening to them. A few hours later, my family responded through email from their cell phone. I was relieved to know that they were fine. Right after this disaster, there were many movements here in Vancouver. A cable company called SHAW started a service that is free phone call to Japan and free Japanese TV channel, NHK. It was very generous of them to provide this service, as many people found it helpful to monitor the situation that is developing in Japan. Japanese community started their movement as well. Many of Japanese organizations quickly set up BC Japan Earthquake Relief Fund together, organizing fundraising events, selling crafts and gathering street donations. Many Japanese restaurants, shops, and individuals contributed for earthquake relief fund.

Photo.1

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I work at a child daycare in Vancouver, TOSS (Tennyson Out-of-School Care Society). As the children at my daycare know that I am from Japan, they tried to comfort me and gave me hugs and kind words for my family in Japan. A 5-year-old girl drew some pictures to cheer up my family which later I passed to my mother. They were pictures of a teddy bear, a little girl and a Japanese flag (Photo.1). Another 5-year-old girl gave me a teddy bear to comfort me. It was very moving that young children show their concern and care about what was happening. I wanted to do something for Japan with the children. So I decided to set up a donation box. The children and I made it together and they decorate it with their handprints in different colors. We called it The Wishing Well so every time they put money in, they get to make a wish (Photo.2). The families at my daycare were very generous and some donated more than once. Some children even brought their own money to put in it. It might Photo.2 have been a small amount, but the meaning is so much more than that. It meant a great deal to me. On Friday, April 8th, my supervisor and I held a bake sale. The children participated in the bake sale by baking some of the treats, 5-year-old to 10-year-old were involved in making cookies, brownies, tarts and rice crispy squares (Photo.3). My supervisor, colleague and I also baked at home and we prepared 14 different kinds of sweets all together. Each item was sold at 50 cents and $1 for 3 items. On bake sale day, the children were very excited and all they could talk about was which treats they were planning to get.

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Photo.3

The event was a big success, we also had many people coming from outside TOSS to check out our event. During the bake sale, I also had Origami sale on the side. I made animals, frogs, and popular Japanese anime character, Pikachu in origami (Photo.4).

Photo.4

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On another day, we had a DVD sale for families as part of the fund raising. We have been having talent show every year, where the children dance, sing, tell story and play instruments on our humble stage. So we decided to make a DVD from the talent show this year and put it up for sale as a part of the fund raising activity. From the Wishing Well donation box and the fund raising event, we collected $903 all together. We were quite proud of this result. With only four of us and a handful of kids, we made it happen. We donated the money to Japan through Red Cross Canada. I am grateful to everyone who took part in this event, for they are the ones who made it a success. So many Canadians donated for Japan, which I am sure it helps tremendously in the recovery of Japan from this crisis. It warms my heart to see how generous people in Canada can be. As time goes by, we see the news about Japans crisis fading. However in reality, the people in Japan are still suffering. The crisis is not over, especially in Tohoku and Fukushima, many people have lost their houses and all of their possessions. On top of that, Japan is still facing a nuclear crisis and still struggling to combat the situation. Please do not forget about the situation in Japan. The danger they face is still very real and I will continue to do my best to support any way I can. I know one thing for certain, that a small act goes a long way. (August 2011, Vancouver)

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Even I am always stammering I have small voices to tell you September 2011, Bandung Indonesia

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I am always stammering! September 2011 issued on 9 Sept. 2011 Editor: Kumiko Homma Designer: Emika Takahashi Collaborators (honorities omitted): Ribeka Ota, Chie Kinjo, Hafiz Amirrol, Peony Maeda. Special thanks to PRAY+LIFE ("Fuku-Fuku Farm" and "The ceiling and the puppy love" are copyrighted by PRAY+LIFE.)

Copyright: I am always stammering! All rights reserved.

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Contact: Kumiko Homma (Mobile: +62-81220369918, Email: kumikohomma@gmail.com)

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Copyright of Cover photograph: PRAY+LIFE