◆Story from Hanako Hokkyo:
KumamotoDR_HO (6).jpgHanako Hokkyo is a Habitat for Humanity Japan campus chapter member from Meijigakuin University, and has been working as an intern at the Habitat Japan office since April. Hanako decided to devote herself to support Habitat's disaster relief programs in Kumamoto, and was stationed in Nishihara for two weeks in June. After returning, she said "I will not forget the time spent in Nishihara, and the two weeks there passed like an arrow."
This is her story.
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KumamotoDR_HO (1).jpgOne of the roles I did in Nishihara was to distribute free newsletters which contained essential information to those who had survived the earthquake. While I did this, I also assessed their needs, as I visited them house by house.
During my two weeks of volunteering, I had many encounters. I especially remember meeting Ms. Kai. That meeting was the most impressive for me.
One day, I knocked on the door of a house in Nishihara. An elderly woman, Ms. Kai, answered the door. I asked her, "Do you need any support from the volunteer disaster center?" Ms. Kai lives alone, and answered "I indeed need help". Her expression showed that she was in serious need of support, and the look on her face was unforgettable. Just like so many others, Ms. Kai's home was damaged by the quake. There were also cracks in the land around the house, and cracks on her private road.
She needs to repair the damage to her land and home, but she cannot afford it. She also needs help to clean up her house and her garden. She had been taking on these many worries by herself.
I listened to her voice, and I was very concerned. In my own mind, I felt powerless. At the moment that I met Ms. Kai, she began to reveal her thoughts to me, and she said that it was the first time after the disaster when she could pour her feelings out to another. She felt that she needed to step forward, and share her emotions. Before I left she said, "I really appreciate it, that I could meet you."
KumamotoDR_HO (3).jpgI connected her to the disaster volunteer center. She eventually received help to clean up her house, and her garden. I visited her later, and she said that she did not have energy to cook since the earthquake. But when I visited her home, she prepared a wonderful meal for me using the vegetables grown in her garden.
I thought to myself that I could continue to help Ms. Kai in some way. Through this encounter, I believe that there are ways that other university students like me who do not have any skills, can still help people in need.
There are still many problems left in Nishihara. I will continue to support Nishihara and also Ms. Kai, to recover from what was happened there.
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Habitat Japan is mobilizing youth volunteers to support those who were affected by the earthquakes, through supporting the disaster volunteer center in Nishihara following the disaster relief plan called, "Youth for Kumamoto". With this plan, Habitat Japan aims to support the process for survivors, so that they can have a decent place to live.
◆Back Numbers
2016.07.04 【Kumamoto-3】Rehabilitation of the Community Center
2016.05.16　【Kumamoto-2】Volulnteer Story (1)
2016.05.12　【Kumamoto-1】Responding to earthquake in Kumamoto