Annerose's world

My Japanese cats are now living with me

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:33:34 +0000

Momo and Chouchou, my two Japanese cats, are now living with me near Neuchâtel.

I brought them back from Fukushima begin of January. The journey was quite long: it started at 2:30am, going to Narita airport by car from Fukushima, health check at Narita airport, about 13 hours flight, health check at Zurich airport and about 2 hours car drive to Neuchâtel.

After about 3 weeks, they are now nicely settled…

Helping survivors living in temporary housing in Iwate, Tohoku, Japan

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:06:05 +0000

J. is a foreign lady married to a Japanese and living in Iwate Prefecture, Tohoku, Japan.

She is living next to a compound of temporary housings where about 200 families are living (see pictures here) and is helping them getting warm clothes etc.

I was introduced to J. through another foreign wife friend and had sent J. parts of my belongings.

Here is a message from J. sent to people who want to help her.

Contact me if you wish to contact her.

PS: I removed some personal information.

* * * * * *

Nice to ‘meet’ you and thanks for being willing to help these people!

(…)

It is hard to say exactly what is needed, and I have been amazed actually, people send things and I sometimes wonder if I can find anyone who wants some of the things, but every single time, I have found someone who was looking for or hoping for just that…and they are thrilled to get the things that I didn’t think anyone would want.Specific needs that I know of at the moment:160 size and also size S and M, would be perfect for a few of the boys (the boys are in the temp housing) There are several older elementary aged boys who wear size 160 or a mens S or even M. I havent had much to share with those boys as of yet….Sportswear in mens L and XL is always needed it seems too.There are a few boys (6) that wear a 130 size, and only 2 little girls that I know of that wear about a 130 size. The others are bigger.

Blankets, warm jackets, ski wear, hats, gloves…it is cold and snowy here, so many of these people are not used to the cold in Sumita for the coast and those areas didn’t get much snow.Here in Iwate, most students wear sweatshirts, and fleece/girls sweatshirts,fleece and sweaters, and jeans to school , and track suits type of thing to school. They don’t dress as fancy as when I lived and taught in Shizuoka!!! So sweatshirts and sports wear is always great, and they wear those things every day. Fleece things are great and they dry quickly after being washed, we have to hang things inside to dry them here, for they freeze outside.There are a few older Elementary girls (size 160 or S ) and I think it is universal that girls enjoy girly things…and looking pretty. And as the weather warms up, the girls like to wear some pretty things, but during the cold, winter months, warm things are necessary! There are younger girls too 1-3 grade…the boys seem most happy with sportswear and jeans and sweatshirts or t-shirts.I dont know if anyone has any but womens underthings, like camisoles. It was very inconvenient here in Sumita-cho before the tsunami here and there is only one tiny market about 2 km from here and it is smaller than a convenience store and just has the basics, we mostly drove to Rikuzen-Takada or Ofunato to go grocery shopping at just a little larger place, and then they all got washed away so now to go buy anything you have to travel quite far, and many lost their cars in the tsunami…and not much public transport here. There is one bus a day going to Tono and one to Ofunato a day is all. …so things like that, they just don’t buy, for there isn’t a place to buy them now. There are no clothing stores here in Sumita, and so unless they want to travel all the way to Mizusawa or Tono, there just isn’t much available.The majority of people are elderly…all sizes but womens M-XL, and mens L and XL…would fit most of them There are just a few younger people…living with their elderly parents mostly. Several of the elderly ladies are size XL or larger and they have often said to me that even when there has not been much their size, and they were just thrilled with the larger sized items that I have been able to share with them. One elderly lady was so thrilled yesterday with a robe/pajama that I gave her that a friend sent. She has not had pjs since 3-11. She is one of the larger ladies, and there just was never anything her size when they were able to get clothing donations.

Beside her was a younger lady, perhaps in her late 30s (size M)and she was also thrilled to get something suitable for her age. She never complained but had been wearing mens sweatpants and shirts for a long time. She was just so thrilled to get a nice shirt and a jacket!!!

I doubt I need to share this, but if sharing clothing etc, it would be really great if it were clean and washed with no stains on it!!!!! I just don’t have the time to rewash things before sharing them.I just really believe that getting something New-to-them and the thoughts, and care behind it is just so important…and will continue to be!!!Something as simple as socks is welcome…They are not fancy in their dress here in this rural area,Many are quite concerned for in a little over a year they are expected to move out of temp housing, and especially the older people, have nowhere to go. Banks won’t lend to people over 50, they are living on Nenkin…(social security) and so it is just hard for many of them.
Sumita cho has told the people here though , that they will not have to move out..which is very helpful..but those living in the temp housing in front of jr and sr high schools etc..will have to move. As of yet, they have not been told just where they are to move, or gotten any help in finding ways to build new homes etc..I went today and delivered some of the things that a friend from Fukushima sent and the ladies were so happy with the yarn and the other things she sent…I just kind of wandered around and stopped people I saw and asked if they knit or could use some yarn…and they were thrilled. They know the children and I well now, so my wandering around is ok with them…A friend from Fukushima sent her sewing machine and I gave it to the sewing club that about 10 of the ladies in the temp housing have made, and they are using an empty temp house to meet in quite often. So they are sharing it…They seemed to really like that setup. I didnt want to give it to just one lady and make the others feel badly that I didnt give it to them!!!So perhaps there is something that someone has that they arent using that might be useful to someone here…I dont even know what…you might have more ideas than I do!!!There are 200 people in the temp housing across the street from us,in Sumita-cho, and about 60 people in Otomo-cho on the coast and with that many people, there is always someone that needs something…those are the two areas where we have felt led to help…I wish we could help everyone, but …..we are doing what we can.In Otomo cho, we are helping those that did not move into temp housing and chose to remain in the village. Most had their houses on the first floor, ruined by the tsunami but have been able to rebuild the first floors. The people in the temp housing have been getting aid, though it has tapered off a lot, but those that chose to fix their homes and remain haven’t recieved any aid even from the beginning. They were without water, electricity and gas for almost 5 months…so we often took trips bring supplies from our home, food, water etc…just to let them know they are not forgotten. It is sometimes hard for them to see the people in the temp housing getting new things…and help when they dont get anything.

It is really cold here in Sumita-cho now with the temps in the below zero range every day…so definately needing warm things.
It stays cold here a lot longer than it does in the southern areas…We still had snow when the earthquake and tsunami came and had it for almost a month afterwards…

I have also found that several people have sent little gifts…perhaps ones that they received as gifts but never used or needed, and also other things that were in their home. There are things that may not be a necessity, but would sure be nice to have sort of things, that could really make someones day.

I cannot imagine having lost everything…so now though there are still needs, the other “Extra” things,” just because”, are also heartening to these people too. The knitting yarn, needles and material that were sent, brought such smiles, and others have sent little things that they got as little gifts from stores etc, little wrapped boxes of tea…just anything.

Right now the real need is the counseling and the heart help, but there aren’t any people trained to do that, and it is just really hard.As you know, the Japanese usually are not very open to talking about their feelings, so now it is just that much harder! We believe that it is so important to get to know these people and that is why we have chosen to help these two groups and that way we can build relationships with them too!

We try and be there and give a listening ear and get to know as many as we can…and let them know we care for and about them.

The comment that I hear again and again is that what they really miss is they lost all their photos and keepsakes. I am hoping to try and contact some camera companies soon and see if I can get some for these people. They may have lost their other photos, but I really want them to look to the future and start making new memories and dream of a future.. (that is still very hard for most yet) I need to get that done soon.

This is not necessary, but if you care to, a personal note, perhaps copied a few times that I could give them when I give them the items would be really nice…if it is in English that is fine, I will translate it for them. Sometimes just that personal touch might be nice and to know where the things came from!!!

I hope I answered your questions…if you have more…feel free to ask.

If you could remember these people in your prayers that would be really great. Also if you could pray that we also do not grow weary in helping!I am the only foreigner around…I have gotten things that have been addressed to Joni in Sumita-cho, Kesen, Iwate, I think perhaps I stand out a tad…

(…)

Here is the Google map of near our home…

View Larger Map

You can see just how rural it is here! Here is a video on YouTube that shows the tsunami that was closest to us here in Sumita-cho.There aren’t many videos of Rikuzen-Takada for it was almost totally washed away and the people who survived only had minutes before the tsunami hit after the earthquake.

(…)

I know that your kindness in sending and sharing things makes a huge difference in these peoples lives. Knowing that someone cares enough to send something, and that you are thinking of them is just so very important. I think perhaps even more now…the danger and fear has passed and now that it is so cold here, depression and a very dark feeling is on many of these people.

They need to know that people still care. They have been hearing now for many months comments like, “You have gotten help from the government and lots of aid, it is time for you to take care of yourselves now! ” It is very discouraging to many who hear that, for they just haven’t a clue where to go from here. The rule for the temp housing is that they have to leave within 2 year of moving in. Sumita-cho has told them that they can stay and not move after a certain time, but that time is coming up very soon.We try and share some smiles and laughter (with 4 kids that is easy) and just visit and let them know that we are thinking of them and CARE…
We hope we can share just a little of God’s love for them through providing for their physical needs.Suicide is said to be on the rise among these people, but so far, I have only heard of one in this area, …but that is one too many. Many of the elderly especially have become depressed and cannot see how surviving the tsunami was a good thing!If it is ok, I humbly ask your permission to share the things you and your friends send with the people that I see the need ..whether it be physical need, or an emotional one. It may be that the person needs something shared, just to boost their spirits, or to make them feel worthy and needed…

At times the need just has seemed overwhelming and it is easy to start to feel discouraged at not being able to help more…At those times this verse has been encouraging..

(…)

Your kindness and care is so appreciated..If you feel led, please share with people you know and perhaps they will want to help also!!! I know that these gifts of love will bless these people!!!Thank-you so muchJ.

Knitting challenge: second blanket

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:46:25 +0000

While I was waiting for the first blanket and its wool to reach me by postal mail, I went and bought some more wool for a second blanket.

And started a second blanket. As it is wider than the first one (130 cm wide), its pace is slower… so far, 30 cm long knitted…

Temporary housing in Tohoku

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:46:15 +0000

Here are some pictures of the temporary housing located near J’s home in Sumida, Iwate Prefecture. This is where I sent some of my former belongings.

The temporary housings are a little different from the one in Fukushima city, pictured here.

Knitting challenge – forced pause

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:29:20 +0000

Wool could not come with me on the plane to Switzerland.

I had already used up the allocated luggage: 23 kg x 2 suitcases, one bag pack and one small handbag to take in the cabin. Staff of the airline in Tokyo did not allow for another small handbag that contained wool and the 20cm plus blanket I had started last week. My husband will therefore be sending it by postal mail.

I plan to get to a wool store this week (I am still off) and get some more wool. And start another blanket.

Knitting challenge – day 2

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:40:31 +0000

I did not have so much time yesterday, as I started packing.

But still, got some more rows done…

Length is now about 20 cm, while width is about 70 cm.

Knitting Challenge – first day

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:22:52 +0000

Since I had already packed most of the wool left in my former home in Fukushima into boxes to be sent to J. in Iwate, the first step was this afternoon to return to Aeon and get yarn (100 % wool). I also found some more wool that I had put aside and not yet sent to Switzerland.

To make the blanket very warm, I am knitting several threads at the same time. I made a test, to make sure that the knitting needles were suitable to the threads’ thickness.

I then started the “real” blanket and knitted about 4 cm before realizing that I had made a mistake with the original row.
Undid everything and started again.

The needles are about 30 cm long each and the blanket about 70 cm wide. I need to find a measuring tape

At the end of the day:

And a closer look:

Can you see the “frame” design ?

Knit for Japan initiative

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:18:08 +0000

Did you know about this ?

Knit for Japan initiative: http://knitforjapan.wordpress.com/

Knitting blankets for Tohoku challenge

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:40:59 +0000

An idea just popped into my mind.

What if knitters all around the world would unify and knit warm blankets (using 100 % wool yarn) for Tohoku people who lost everything and are now living in temporary housing…. and show how creative they can be ?

Here is an example of mixing colors, using wool left overs…

This is the blanket I used last March in Fukushima city, when we were without electricity for a few days after the earthquake.

Let’s not forget Tohoku

Annerose Matsushita-Bader — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:12:57 +0000

These are pictures of temporary housing in Fukushima city, Fukushima Prefecture.

There are about 20 such buildings and one building probably houses 3 families…

They are located near the Aeon mall.

* * * * * * *

We are now begin of 2012. A new year and, for some, a strong desire to forget how awful 2011 was. But although Tohoku is no longer in the international news, people there still suffer. These past 9 months have been very hard on these communities.

It is now winter, with very low temperatures and snow. Most people who lost their home are now luckily living in temporary housing. And they are grateful to finally have some privacy. But, at the same time, these walls can’t be tick enough in an area that can really get very cold. For those not in Japan: in general, Japanese houses made of wood tend to be insufficiently insulated (from a Western and even a Japanese point of view) – inside our house in Fukushima, begin of January, 10 or 11 C is not uncommon…

I am in contact with J., a foreign lady in Iwate prefecture who was spared by the tsunami. Through family relations, she got to know about small communities that lost everything and are still struggling.

Thanks to her connections, she receives items from friends of friends and can give them to these communities.

Items people still need: warm clothes (coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.), shoes, blankets, towels, etc.

Used items are OK, but they should be useable…

Warm fabric, knitted items, wool/yarn and knitting needles also welcome.

J. cannot pay for postage (NO chakubarai, please).

Contact me if you can send J. some of these items.

As for me, I am sending J. items that won’t follow me to Switzerland, including clothes, fabric, wool yarn and a sewing machine… In the end, about 15 boxes…