March 23rd 2011 from NHK TV News.

“MASSAGE CORPS to the rescue!

“WE are the MASSAGE CORPS!! We come here to massage your shoulders!!” These were cries of the 7 to 9 years old elementary school children all lined up at the entrance of a shelter for the evacuees of the recent tragic earthquake tsunami.

They run to the elderly people and start to massage their shoulders. Each group consists of a few children and they take turns massaging an elderly person. (They get tired very fast so need to take turns to massage one elderly person) This is their CORPS strategy!!

These small troopers actually brought smiles to the faces of the elder people. All of them “felt good” and wore big smiles on their faces despite their present difficult situation.

The whole of Japan (and the rest of the world) are desperately thinking what they can do for the hundreds of thousands of victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami. Even the little children have found their roles.

Written by Kayo Sunazawa

TRAGIC TSUNAMI STORY, JAPAN

Here is a sad account of the tragic death of a friend's family wiped out by the Japanese Tsunami.

Hokkaido family killed by Japan's Earthquake & Tsunami

March 24 2011, The Hokkaido Newspaper

A husband and wife from Hokkaido who owned a small processed marine products business in Otsuchi-cho, Iwate prefecture, and their 2 year old son were killed by the Killer Tsunami in Japan. Their bodies were found by family members who took their bodies back to Hokkaido to be buried in the husband’s hometown in the Otofuke-cho,Tokachi area. The family held a funeral service on 23^rd March 2011.

Mr. Masanao Masuda (age 38) and his son Rui-chan were found inside a car near their house located about 500 meters from the seashore while his wife Miho (age 40) was found in another location.

After the 9.0 earthquake occurred at about 2:50pm on 11^th March 2011, it was reported that Mr. Masanao had telephoned his older sister, Mrs. Ayumi Orita (age 44) and told her “A big earthquake has occurred here, please careful maybe it might happen in Hokkaido too! The shaking is getting stronger now so I have to go.” These were his last words as it was not possible to contact him anymore.

Mrs.Orita received the tragic news that the bodies of her brother and family when she was searching for them on the 19^th. of March 2011. She was finally able to go with her other brother Mr.Yoshihito and other family members to Iwate prefecture with his car to collect the bodies on March 21^st morning. They bring back two bodies to Otofuke-cho Hokkaido by the car and arrived in 22^nd while it took some time to verify and identify the body of Mrs Miho which finally arrived in Hokkaido on 23^rd of March.

Mr. Masanao’s father was in the hospital fighting against cancer in Obihiro Hospital in Hokkaido and he finally past away on March 22^nd evening while waiting for the arrival of his son Masanao.

Mr. Masanao was a student of Judo since elementary school and had graduated in a local junior high school in Hokkaido. Subsequently he attended school in the Asahikawa University High School and was part of the top Judo team there. He was also active in Judo in Doto University too and met his wife Miho and later married her after graduation. He became very interested in processed marine products when he helped his wife‘s father in the fishing business. They had decided to move to Otsuchi-cho, Iwate prefecture to start their own business to be close to Miho’s parents’ home.

Their son Rui-chan was born after 13 yeas of marriage and he was the darling of the family. Masanao used to explain to friends and family that their company was named after their son Rui because he believed that “my son will inherit this company from me”.

About 40 people attended the funeral service. Mr.Masanao’s close friend who is a fireman was emotional when he said “He (Masanao) used to always smile to make us feel relaxed. I wish he and his family will live happily in heaven”.

Translated by Kayo Sunazawa, Hokkaido Japan.

Solidarity with the Japanese people

Mr NOCH CHAMROEN (URBAN POOR WOMEN DEVELOPMENT) Cambodia

To the people of Japan, we are very saddened when Japan faced a big earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese people has supported Cambodia a lot both in technical matters and funding. Many students of Cambodia are also graduates from Japan. When Japan face this big disaster it makes us very shocked and sad. In this hard situation I personally call for all people in the world to share your condolence and support to the people of Japan as much as possible. We stand in solidarity

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, TSUNAMI & NUCLEAR CRISIS - SOLIDARITY MESSAGES FROM SEAPCP & FRIENDS

Photo Credits: AP, The Yomiuri Shimbun


For Japanese language version of the support messages, please go to SEAPCP HOKKAIDO page hosted by the following website: http://www.you-full.com

SOUTH EAST ASIA POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMME
A letter to the Japanese people

We are very shocked and saddened by the recent earthquake and tsunami which has to date estimated to claim almost 21,000 lives in Honshu Island of Japan. Although you are a far from our countries in South east asia, our hearts are with you. No person or government can stand alone and also be prepared to face such a big and serious situation. So the “world community” has to respond and extend their hands of support across country boundaries.

The Japanese people are very brave and in this crisis you have shown to the rest of the world the discipline, the community spirit and true humanity you possess. We have seen how the evacuated people in the centers make human chains to carry water and help in distributing food and blankets to the elderly, sick and younger members. We also see the polis and members of the self defense force carry the old and young to safety on their backs. Rescue teams, aid workers and medical personnel are working almost 24 hours to feed, treat and house the half a million evacuated families.

We stand with you especially to strongly criticize the irresponsible actions and attitudes of the Nuclear plant operators Telco Japan for the unsafe nuclear plants conditions resulting in the nuclear crisi in Japan and the rest of the world. We reject the use of Nuclear in all countries on this earth because of its proven hazards on human lives.

Finally we pray that you will stand firm in strength and spirit to overcome this current situation and to build a new future in the days to come. We, your friends in other countries are ready to support in any way possible to rebuild your lives and community.

PUSAT KOMAS (HUMAN RIGHTS NGO) MALAYSIA
To the brave people of Japan,Our heart goes out to the people of Japan in this time of sadness and tragedy. We pray for you and hope you have more power to manage your lives and communities after such a disaster. Eventhough Malaysia is far away from Japan, we continue to extend our hand of support to you and to help in any way we can. We stand with you in this hard time!

Mr Sivutha, Community Organiser Cambodia
I feel sad to hear that many Japanese are dead and missing. We all have to learn what is happening in Japan. We all are together in this devastating natural disaster.

Ms Nareth, Environmental NGO staff member, Cambodia
Dear Japanese People, I am working in a Cambodian NGO empowering youth who are living in slum areas of Phnom Penh. Although I am not a Japanese but I am a citizen on this same planet. I am so sad that Japanese people are suffering greatly because of the earthquake and Tsunami. I express my condolence to the Japanese victims and to all the Japanese people. In Cambodia, even we are living in a poor situation there are people who still try very hard to share their condolence and their contributions to help the victims.

For example a motorcycle taxi driver donated US0.50 to the Japanese Embassy. (His daily income is about USD2.50) He said "Even I am poor, but I want to help Japanese, because Japanese have helped Cambodian a lot so far, especially. I do this, because I want to give a good example to my children that even if we are poor, we can still have a good heart to help each other in a difficult situation. It is a very important value, we are living in one earth, no one wants to get hurt by disaster, but we can't get a way from disaster, so we need to help each other. I do this in order to give my children a lesson that helping each other is a good VALUE".

I was listening to his speech and my tear was falling down and I feel proud of him. So my Japanese friends you are not alone! Remember, we are with you always, you are such a great people JAPANESE! You are full of compassion, respectful and have many good ways. Many people around the world know this about you. You have done a lot of good things for other people around the world now good angels and spirits will take care of you and give you a NEW HOPE! I am sending you "A wish of NEW HOPE"

Mr Demetrios, HABURAS (Environmental NGO in Timor Leste)
Dear friends I do feel that this natural power is so powerful and we do need to vigilance, this is the only earth that all of us share and need to protect! With solidarity and prayer to God, that we strongly hope that more Japanese lives will be saved. My solidarity with you all.

Mr Hassan, Cavish Foundation, Development NGO in Pakistan
We are happy to hear many people are rescued in Japan. It is really sad to know and see this all happen and many lives are still in danger. Our hearts go out to everyone in Japan.

Ms Zola, Human Rights NGO, Mongolia
It is devastating what's happening in Japan, the whole world is with Japan. Mongolia is definitely one of them. People here (NGOs, individuals, schools, the government and many other organisations) already set up/organising humanitarian aid for Japan. We all have to learn what is happening in Japan. We all are together in this devastating natural disaster.

Ms Tijah Chopil (Network of Malaysian Indigenous People “Orang Asli”) Malaysia
I feel very sad to see the photos of the tsunami and earthquake. I am really sad with all the happenings and I send my condolences to all Japanese people and wish them safety. Looks like the nature is definitely more powerful than human beings

Ms. Nani Zulminarni, PEKKA, Indonesia
I have been wondering since the beginning of hearing the news, and watching the TV all the time about the disaster. The same questions in my mind, how much we can raise and will it make an impact, taking into consideration the richness of Japanese government. I feel so sad, bad and guilty, because we cannot do so many things except praying for them. I sent official letters to the JSDF (Japan Social Development Funds) head quarters to express our sympathy and condolences. I think we can start fund raising, no matters how much we can collect.

Mr Nus Ukru, Baileo Maluku Indonesia
We hope that the support for the Japanese people will become smoother because we in Maluku feeling lost how we can help and support the people there. We will definitely continue to support the Japanese people in spirit and prayer from far away.

Mr James Lee, PERMAS NGO (Malaysian urban poor movement)
We want to express our deep and heartfelt feelings for the Japanese people who have suffered lost of lives and property during the Earthquake and Tsunami. We understand very well how it is to lose our homes and property because as urban poor communities, we have also experienced this. In these times of sorrow and sadness, we want to send our condolences to those in sorrow. We pray that God in His mercy will look favourably upon the Japanese people. In these moments, we join you in sorrow and pray for a quick recovery and that the international aid will be abundant to assist those affected to rebuild their lives. We wish you peace, more power and our deep prayers to strengthen you to overcome this difficult time and build the new future. We stand with you in solidarity!

Ms Carmela Millado-Manuel: SEAPCP member (FILIPINA living in POLAND)
My family and I would like to express our sincerest sympathies to those who have lost families, friends, and personal properties during these difficult times. Besides the images of devastation we also saw pictures of calm, grace and determination of the Japanese people to overcome these challenges. This is most admirable and you have showed the whole world that you as a nation will be able to rebuild again.

Japan has embraced thousands of Filipinos who have stayed and enjoyed your hospitality. We are grateful and this has strengthened our Asian solidarity. My husband, in his capacity as the Charges D'Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Poland has officially conveyed our government's sympathies to your Ambassador here. We continue to pray and wish that your people will heal from these unfortunate circumstances. May God bless you.

Mr Jeff Wong, “Four Regions Slum Network” (FRSN), Thailand
We are an organization that helped in the rehabilitation and reconstruction work in southern Thailand in the aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004. FRSN understands the difficulties that the Japanese people are now experiencing. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences for your immeasurable loss and we also have great confidence in the unbreakable spirit of the Japanese people and we know that you will overcome this terrible tragedy and emerge stronger. FRSN is keeping the Japanese people in its thoughts and is right now trying to find a way to offer concrete support, especially to the poor affected by this disaster.

Mr Suarnatha, Wisnu Bali NGO, Bali, Indonesia
On 21 March, we, the “World Silent Day campaigners” sent a letter and thousands of origami birds to Japanese Consulate in Bali as an expression of solidarity with Japan. We have to GAMBARU! Meanwhile we will do fund raising in our areas.

JAPAN EARTHQUAKE

SEAPCP EXPRESSES SOLIDARITY WITH THE VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF THE DEVASTATING JAPANESE EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK ON FRIDAY MARCH 11, 2011.

SEAPCP Community Organising Network (CON) Reflection & Strategy Planning 2011

SEAPCP has been advocating, and practising community organising for the past 20 years since its inception in 1991. This grassroots network consists of 20 or so solid community organising movements in the Asian region working closely with grassroots communities such as the indigenous peoples, fisherfolks, farmers, urban poor, women, children and others.

This May 2011, for the first time in the history of SEAPCP, we will bring together 22 senior partners and the more recent partners of the SEAPCP Community Organising Network (CON) to reflect on our organising work in the light of the current global trends. The participants representing 15 local grassroots movements from 10 countries will identify strategic approaches for local context as well as on a regional level. The network will try to address urgent issues faced by our respective countries and in the Asian region.

We will also take into account the regional and global political economic, social & cultural trends to see how the SEAPCP CON should align itself with the changing trends in the practice and promotion of community organizing.

The 5-day event will also serve to monitor and evaluate the tools and mechanisms used by SEAPCP and its network to attain human rights, democracy and justice in our respective countries and the Asian region.

Note: The event is not open for observers