Activities Report 8

Natari Elementary School in Minami Sanriku Town, Miyagi Prefecture was devastated by the tsunami. In spite of its elevated location, the school was flooded up to the second floor, and the interior of the scool building was completely destroyed. The full recovery of the interior is expected to be completed by the fall, 2013.

The soon-to-be recovered school building of Natari Elementary School with Principal Kazuo SUGAWARA (on the observers' left). The clock stopped at the time of the tsunami.

Natari Elementary School has been temporarily using buildings at Isatomae Elementary School in the town. In spite of its elevated location, Isatomae Elementary School was flooded up to the first floor level.

As a matter of face, KC of Sendai, Children's Fund provided 30 unicycles in July 2011 as its first project.

Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project by students of Kwansei Gakuin University planned and carried out "Kizuna" Summer Festival on August 10 and 11, 2013 for the children of Natari and Isatomae Elementary Schools, so that they can enjoy the summer holidays. More than 10 students and alumni of Kwansei Gakuin University ran the festival. Association of International Cooperation and Training Hiroshima, Kiwanis Club of Ashiya and KC of Sendai, Children's Fund provided financial as well as practical assistance. Kiwanis Club of Kobe also provided financial assistance. Altogether 41 children of the two elementary schools took part in the festival. Principal SUGAWARA of Natari Elementary School took part in the festival throughout. A few high school students in the town also helped the festival.

In the morning on August 10, the children enjoyed the card game using the big cards they made themselves on the theme of nice things about the town. In the meantime, some of the students and adults prepared lunch.

The participants enjoyed lunch of "somen" noodles served through running water.

Watermelons cracked by blindfolded children served as dessert.

The children enjoyed games by running around the gymnasium, while some of the students and adults prepared supper.

Barbecue for supper.

The lower grade children left after supper, while the upper grade children enjoyed fireworks and stayed overnight.

After breakfast on August 11, the upper grade children drew their dreams in the future on fans. The festival was over before noon, so that the children can enjoy the town's summer festival in the afternoon.

(In collaboration with the Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project by students of Kwansei Gakuin University and Kiwanis Clubs Joint Fund.)

Kesennuma City was devastated by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. Many pupils of Koizumi Junior High School continue to live in temporary houses. To alleviate the financial burden on the parents for extracurricular educational activities, we provide the necessary financial support.
The school will be unified with another junior high school in April, 2016.


On June 8 and 9, 2013 all 49 pupils of Koizumi Junior High School took part in the Athletic Meet of the Kesennuma-Motoyoshi District. Boy's basketball team came in first, Girl's Volleyball team came in third, and Girl's soft-ball tennis team came in third.

(In collaboration with the Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project by students of Kwansei Gakuin University.)

Built at elevated location, Shizugawa Junior High School was not hit by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. However, Shizugawa in Minami Sanriku Cho was devastated by the tsunami.

Shizugawa viewed from Shizugawa Junior High School (November, 2011)

Many of the parents of the School's pupils can no longer afford to pay for the fees needed for the pupils' extracurricular educational activities. At the request of the School through the Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project, we provided the necessary financial support.

Through the overnight trip to Sendai City starting from May 31, 2013, the eighth graders (Juniors) experienced the city bus and subway in groups, enjoyed a professional baseball game and visited Sendai City Observatory.

Through the overnight trip starting from May 20, 2013, 60 seventh graders (Freshmen) experienced the first overnight trip, and cooking contest.

(In collaboration with the Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project by students of Kwansei Gakuin University.)

Built at elevated location as in the case of tsunami-prone communities, Koizumi Elementary School was not hit by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. However, many of the parents of the School's pupils were devastated by the tsunami. They can no longer afford to pay for the fees needed for the pupils' extracurricular educational activities. At the request of the School through the Heart on Coin "Kizuna" project, we provided the necessary financial support.

On May 24, 2013, the fourth graders (7 boys and 6 girls) visited the city's disaster control center as a part of their social studies.

On June 27, 2013, the fourth graders (7 boys and 6 girls) visited the city's water purification plant as a part of their social studies.