On the first day, we visited two kindergartens in Otsuchi-cho, Iwate. Otsuchi-cho was hit badly by the tsunami and fire, which started after the tsunami, devastated the town awfully. From the top of hill, all I could see was flat ground spreading everywhere....everything was taken away. It was unbelievably painful to see and imagine the awful days people have been though.
It was the first time we had a screening at a kindergarten, with 55 children. I was not really sure how they would react to the film... We wondered if they could keep watching it for a half hour? Would they get bored? What if they didn't like it....? Many questions were going through my mind.
We chose the title called "Panda ko Panda", which is the Japanese classic animation directed by the golden team of Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki before Studio Ghibli established. (I love this film!!)
Once the film started, all the kids immediately started laughing a lot and the laughter became bigger and bigger. It blew my worries away immediately and made all Nijiiro members so happy. Kids' pure smiles and laughter are a real treasure, and we always feel "hope" for the future.
After the screening, children sang a "Thanks Song" for us. It was so beautiful and touching!!
We spoke to the principal of kindergarten, and all we could clearly tell was she is really exhausted and weak after having lost her husband by Tsunami...but she has tried to push herself to be so strong, and has tried moving forward to protect all children attending her school. Definitely children need sincere attention and love, but we have to remember that all adults trying to protect these children need care too. They are the ones who have tried not to cry, and smile fully to make children feel comfort and loved. All teachers are amazing and I am so proud of Japanese woman, their strength and beauty.
Even kids were smiling and playing energetically, but this is the view they can see from the balcony everyday....I don't know what to say...
I do hope they will grow up strongly with a big and sweet heart, and always keep a dream in their mind.
For people kindly supported "Nijiiro Cinema Support Project Campaign" on indiegogo, once again, thank you so much for your kindest consideration and love for people in Tohoku.
When leaving from the first school, children were waving us to say good bye!
I do love to go back to see them very soon.
In the afternoon, we visited the other kindergarden with 80 kids.
Here again, "Panda ko Panda" was very popular and kid's laughter were spread in the hall to make us smile!
We could bring drawing paper booklets, colorful pens which my husband and my friend Jean sent to children to Tohoku! They really loved it. Thank you Jean!
And Thank you so much to Go-san and his friends gathered "Champaign and Sandwich Party"and donated for this project. 豪さんをはじめ、シャンドイッチの会で基金にご協力くださいました皆様、ありがとうございました。
They are really great teachers working there. They are e so sweet, charming, strong and loving!
Thank you so much for supporting and loving children.
Once again, thank you so much for everyone who supported us to keep our Niji-iro Cinema Support Project going. With your help, we could see so many happy faces and smiles.
Now we are planning to have a campaign again for X'mas. We will be again in Tohoku on Nov.19&20 and Dec 23&24. Those dates are fixed.
Thank you for your continuing support.
P.S: I will report the activities in Kesennuma tomorrow. We hired local food stands with your help.
