【Kumamoto-3】Rehabilitation of the Community Center

Habitat for Humanity Japan is supporting the rehabilitation of the Mantoku Community Center which is located in Mantoku district, Nishihara, in Kumamoto prefecture.
127 families with 392 residences are living in Mantoku district, which is the second largest district in Nishihara. The recent earthquake disaster damaged most of houses in this district, and the lives of its residents have been drastically changed since then. Some of the surviving families have no choice but to live in their damaged homes which have not yet been repaired, while others continue to shelter in the evacuation centers.
The Mantoku Community Center had been used as a gathering place to enjoy many kinds of community events, including community meetings, hosting the children's society, hosting the elderly society and others. In Mantoku the community center was a place to deepen and strengthen the connections of the community.
Due to the earthquake, the community center building was severely damaged, and cannot be used for meetings anymore. Since then, the center has been utilized as a storage space to stock relief supplies, such as water and food. However, there are many in the community hoping to rebuild the center.
"After the quake, we have not been able to organize any community events. Every year, we organized an event for the elderly society. We are very worried that we will not be able to organize it again this year," said a Mantoku community leader.
Responding to the needs of the community, Habitat Japan decided to support the rehabilitation of the Mantoku Community Center. Habitat will repair the damaged ceiling and the walls which have collapsed. Repairs will be made to the distorted sections of the structure, such as the floors. Cracks in the outside walls will be filled in, and smoothed over.
Habitat believes that rehabilitating the community center will be a major step towards the recovery and revitalization of the whole community. Resuming regular events for the people will help to bring life back to Mantoku.
※This project is supported by numerous donors including Alwaleed Philanthropies, MOL logistics, Habitat Japan campus chapters, and other groups and individuals. Habitat Japan wishes to thank everyone for their support during this time of crisis.
◆Back Numbers
2016.05.16　【Kumamoto-2】Volulnteer Story (1)
2016.05.12　【Kumamoto-1】Responding to earthquake in Kumamoto