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【JPN Relief-50】 Miyagi : Building Future via Community Center
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In Nobiru district, Higashimatsushima city, Miyagi, reparis on the Kameoka community center. On July 22nd, the finished building was officially presented to the local residents. Despite the drop in the local population since the disaster, a large group of people came to participate in the opening ceremony and celebrate the center's completion.
Last winter people began to return to their homes in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami little by little. It quickly became apparent to everyone that they needed a place to gather planning the future, and for children to play. It was then that the idea for the community center rehabilitation project was conceived.
On April 14th, work began with the clearing of the ruined interior. Throughout May, work continued with the installation of new flooring, walls and windows, followed by painting and the addition of a new wooden deck outside. In July the last of the construction work was completed, and handmade chairs and tables were set on the deck.
On July 22nd, the opening ceremony for the community center took place, gathering all of the returning residents and other associated persons. Mr. Ito, the head of the residents' association, gave a speech to start the ceremony. This was followed by the key presentation, then My Koyama, from the Higashimatsushima municipal administration department gave a congratulatory address. After a speech from Habitat Japan, the representatives of Habitat, the city and the residents cut the tape together, officially opening the newly rebuilt community hall.
Right after the ceremony the residents' association held their first meeting in the assembly room to discuss work in the coming autumn. This scene of the local people talking together was just a glimpse of the way in which the center will be used in the future, for meetings and gatherings of all kinds.
Mr. Masaru Kamata, the local residents' representative (pictured at center) says "I never thought such a wonderful rehabilitation work could be done so quickly. I remember when this hall was first built in 1986, to serve as a cultural center for the community of Kameoka district. As more and more people return here from temporary housing elsewhere, it will allow us to deepen our bonds and continue to rebuild towards a better future."
Mr. Katsuo Izumi, the leader of East Kameoka district, says "The gathering place that everyone has hoped for is finally here. After the ceremony we held a meeting, and have already set an event for September (a karaoke competition). I have no doubt that having a place to exchange opinions and build relationships will have a very positive influence on the recovery effort overall".
◆ Back Number
2012.07.24 Miyagi : Rehabilitating the Community Center (4)
2012.07.06 Iwate : Home Partner Story (2)
2012.06.07 Miyagi : Rehabilitating the Community Center (3)
2012.06.05 Iwate : Homeowner Story (1)
2012.05.29 Miyagi : Rebuiding a Home with Volunteers
2012.05.10 Miyagi : Rehabilitating the Community Center (2)
2012.05.07 Iwate : Storage Cabinets for Community
2012.04.26 Iwate : Habitat Japan featured on Tokaishimpo
2012.04.20 Miyagi : Rehabilitating the Community Center (1)
2012.03.22 Iwate : Flyer Distribution on its 2nd Stage
2012.03.13 Iwate : Program Flyers to 600 Families
2012.03.12 Iwate : Habitat Japan on Chinese National TV
2012.03.11 Rebuilding Japan Program Goes On
2012.02.24 Miyagi : Building a Gazebo for Community
2012.02.22 Miyagi : Painting Pictures of Hopes
2012.02.11 Miyagi : Volunteers are Back on Sites
2012.01.13 Miyagi : Winter Items for 1,338 Families
2012.01.11 10 Months after the Disaster
2011.12.23 Miyagi : Distribution of 2,400 Hot Carpets
2011.11.17 Habitat Staff Featured in Ofunato Newsletter
2011.11.05 Distributing 278 Futon Sets in Onagawa
2011.10.22 Support for Fishery Industry
2011.10.21 Campus Chapters Raising Funds for Tohoku
2011.10.20 Corporate Volunteer Teams
2011.10.12 Futon for the Disaster Survivors
2011.09.12 KLA-Tencor Donates over 3.7m yen
2011.09.12 First Volunteer Team in Ishinomaki
2011.08.14 Quarterly Report (Apr to Jun, 2011)
2011.06.30 Standard Chartered Raises over 32m yen
2011.06.30 Volunteer Recruitment Started! (July departure)
2011.06.13 Oakwood Tokyo Lends Support to 'Rebuilding Japan' Program
2011.06.07 Volunteer Stories
2011.06.06 Homeowner Story
2011.06.06 Reports from the Volunteers （June 4-5）
2011.05.20 Volunteer Recruitment Started!
2011.05.14 Disaster Response Team Started
2011.05.03 First Volunteer Team Finished Its Work
2011.05.02 "I Never Imagined that I Would Smile Again"
2011.05.01 What Habitat Volunteers Bring to the Victims
2011.04.30 Children Return to a Cleaned Gym
2011.04.29 Volunteers Taking Action in Tohoku
2011.04.28 First Volunteer Team Heads Out to Tohoku
2011.04.19 Toiletries Delivered to Ofunato city, Iwate
2011.04.13 Toiletries Delivered to Soma city, Fukushima
2011.04.10 Thousands Support HFH's Response in Earthquake-Hit Japan
2011.04.04 Campus Chapters Fundraise for Rebuilding Japan
2010.03.31 Donation from APP Japan
2011.03.14 Donate to Help Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Victi
