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Tomodachi Project (Operation Tomodachi)
Help us raise money to help preschool students in Japan.
The purpose of Tomodachi Project Japan Earthquake/ Tsunami Relief Fund is to raise money to help preschool students in the coastal city of Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture that has been devastated by the Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disaster.
Many of the First Responders are doing a wonderful job of helping with the essential needs of the people i.e. food, water, fuel, power etc. However, little is being done to help the very young deal with the trauma of losing family members, homes and most of all their sense of security. As a result of the radioactive fallout, these children cannot even go out and play.
At the core of our project is the purchase of a very unique book by Eric Carle & Kazuo Iwamura titled “Where Are You Going? To See My Friend! (Doko e ikuno? TOMODACHI ni ai ni!)” --it is a story of friendship and hope. To quote the author, “Our story and its ending celebrate and symbolize the yearnings of all people, wherever they live, whichever language they speak, and whtever culture they have experienced. It is a story between Eric Carle and Kazuo Iwamura, and it’s a story of us all: the search and need for friendship.” We believe the road to recovery begins with planting the seed that you are not alone. There are over 300 preschools in Fukushima Prefecture including the 80 preschools in the City of Iwaki. We would like to purchase and supply each of these schools with at least three books each.
Our goal is to raise $5,000. So far we have raised over $400. From private individuals and have the support of the Child Development Center at Delaware Technical & Community College and the Ecological Research & Development Group Inc. a nonprofit organization.
The Tomodachi Project is led by Mariko Sai, who is a preschool teacher working in Delaware with the same age group as the children we are targeting; Mariko also has family in Iwaki City. With the help of our Japanese contacts in preschools throughout the Fukushima Prefecture, we are working to identify the materials that will best serve our objectives of rebuilding confidence in the lives of these young children.
All donations are tax deductible through the Ecological Research & Development Group Inc.
Please help. You can make a donation to the Tomodachi Project Relief Fund via PayPal.
Just click the Donate Now button below and you will be taken to PayPal's secure server where you can make your donation online.
Operation Tomodachi