[TOKYO, JAPAN, 1 September 2011]
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| People delivering children’s books to the UNICEF House. |
On 25 March, directly following the disaster, the UNICEF Children’s Mini Library project was officially launched. As a part of efforts to create Child Friendly Spaces, the project was started in order to deliver children’s books donated from people across Japan to children in the affected areas. Despite a relatively short campaign period of about 10 days, the amount of children’s books received from areas across Japan greatly surpassed initial expectations. We would like to thank everyone for their sincere support.
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| Children’s books donated from across Japan. | ||
A large number of volunteers assisted in carefully sorting the picture books, kami shibai (Japanese picture card stories) and children’s books, and deliveries to the affected areas commenced in early April. As of 1 September, more than 260,000 books have been delivered to over 2,000 locations. Children’s books donated by generous individuals across Japan are now helping to bring smiles to the faces of children in the disaster areas.
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| Volunteers sorting books. | ||
As Japan approaches the half-year mark since the disaster, the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) continues to receive requests for children’s books from various affected areas as well as letters of gratitude on a daily basis. JCU has received compassionate letters and telephone calls, and these have encouraged us to keep our efforts going. Below we introduce a portion of the messages that we have received from children and parents in affected areas that continue to face harsh circumstances.
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“The books arrived today. We didn’t think that we would receive so many books, and we are very grateful. My daughter is already in her own world playing with the stickers while she hums children’s songs. She looked so happy as she one by one took each book out of the box. I intend to take our time in reading each one of these precious books to her. And when she grows up and has children of her own, I plan to give these books to my grandchildren as a present. Thank you so much.”
“We received the books today. Thank you very much! Thank you for sending them so quickly after we sent in our request. The children are so happy. You should have seen the sparkle in their eyes when we opened the big cardboard box. It brought me such joy as a parent to watch. Thank you. Rest assured that we will take our time in reading all of these wonderful books.”
“We have just received the large box of books! My two and a half year old daughter was so happy. She stares at them everyday, and we spend time together reading one book before bed and one before her afternoon nap. Our home was partially destroyed in the earthquake and tsunami. But without that experience we would have continued to take our affluent lifestyle for granted and I don’t think that I ever would have noticed the more important things in life. When the uncertainty of everyday life seemed like it was going to get the best of me, the thing I wanted more than anything was to see children’s toys and books. I think I wanted to experience the rich, hope-filled world and happiness that children’s books produce. This letter is getting long, but these children’s books save children and adults alike. Thank you so much. We will take very good care of them.
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| Thank-you letters received by JCU. |
““We received a large number of books. Thank you very much. With the repeated aftershocks, the radiation problem and the issue of harmful rumors, we have been living with a great deal of anxiety. But with these books presented us with a warm sense of encouragement and compassion, and this has motivated us to never give up!”
“Thank you for so many books. The children were so pleased and looked happy as they discussed which ones to read first and as the eldest child read the books to her younger brother. The eldest even asks if she can invite her friends over, which brings a smile to even my face. This is physical proof that the kind generosity of people across Japan has truly spread to the children. Thinking about the future reminds me of the uncertainty that lies before us, but I will keep my head up and make sure that this assistance is put to good use.”
“The children’s books and picture books arrived! We opened the box immediately and my daughter shouted for joy! After the disaster, my daughter was scared of aftershocks and had been going out of her way to help me with cleaning and other things, so I was happy to see her innocent smile after not seeing it for so long. When I told her that people had sent the books out of goodwill, she told me that she would carefully read them one at a time. She even reads them to my sixth month old son. This is the first time we have been able to do this since the disaster. I intend to make up for lost time by reading to my son and valuing the time time I spend with my children.”
“Thank you for sending the books so quickly. Here in Sendai schools have officially been reopened. We will take great care to read these books every day, little by little. I haven’t even read many of these books, so I am looking forward to reading them with the children. Thank you very much.”
“I shared the books with other children in our neighborhood and they were ecstatic! Thank you so much!”
“Our home was slightly cracked and some of the exterior has been damaged, but we are all alive and well. I applied to receive books because I wanted to read more and more books to my sons who love reading.”
“We have received two sets of children’s books. Even the nursery staff cheered when they saw the large selection of books inside the box. I plan to actively incorporate them into classes at the preschool and put them in the nursery room so that children can always read them. Thank you for taking the time to think of us.”
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| On 23 August, a UNICEF Children’s Mini Library was set up at the Child Friendly Space “Futaba Square” at the former Kisai High School in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture. |
“Thank you for sending us a UNICEF Children’s Mini Library. Many houses were destroyed and lives lost in Natori City as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and over the past several months people have learned how to survive while forced to bear such sadness. We live everyday as usual but sometimes the children talk about the earthquake. We are so happy to receive this grand gesture of generosity. I am sincerely grateful that my children can now just reach out, grab a book and enjoy the fun and happiness that now only books can provide.”
“We have just received the books. The children were so overjoyed by the arrival of the large amount of books that they set up their own UNICEF Children’s Mini Library in the corner of their room! They enthusiastically tell me that they want to lend the books to their friends. We cannot thank you enough. We will take great care of these books.”
Initially, there were two types of sets of books. However, JCU has already delivered all of its stock of books targeting infants to six year olds to children in the affected areas. JCU is currently accepting requests for sets of children’s books targeting children between the ages of 7 and 14.
Click here for more information »
All photo credits: © Japan Committee for UNICEF
| Receiving Prefecture |
Type of Emergency Supplies |
Arrival Date |
Quantity | Donating Company |
Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyagi | Water | 19 Mar. | 12,288 bottles |
VanaH Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Fukushima | Water | 22 Mar. | 12,672 bottles |
VanaH Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Miyagi | Underwear for boys and girls | 22 Mar. | 200,000 | ||
| Iwate | Underwear for boys and girls | 23 Mar. | 30,000 | ||
| Fukushima | Water | 23 Mar. | 4,680 bottles |
KIRIN MC DANONE WATERS Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Miyagi | Children’s shoes | 23 Mar. | 10,000 pairs |
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| Miyagi | Children’s diapers | 24 Mar. | 80 packs | P&G Japan | |
| Iwate | Children’s underwear | 24 Mar. | 9,700 | ||
| Fukushima | Water | 24 Mar. | 12,288 bottles |
VanaH Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Iwate | Shoes | 26 Mar. | 1,404 pairs | Achilles Corporation | |
| Iwate | Underwear for boys and girls | 27 Mar. | 28,266 | ||
| Iwate | Boots | 27 Mar. | 7,462 pairs | ||
| Iwate | Wipes | 28 Mar. | 1,200 | P&G Japan | For babies |
| Miyagi | Recreation kits Early Childhood Development kits |
2 Apr. | 50 of each | Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division | |
| Iwate | Recreation kits Early Childhood Development kits |
2 Apr. | 50 of each | Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division | |
| Miyagi | Book bags | 6 Apr. | 70 | Nihon New Bag Chain | |
| Iwate | Book bags | 6-7 Apr. | 340 | Seiban | |
| Miyagi | Schoolbags | 8 Apr. | 18,000 | Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division | |
| Iwate | Schoolbags | 8 Apr. | 18,000 | Procured from the UNICEF Supply Division | |
| Miyagi | Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) | 8 Apr. | 5,000 | ||
| Iwate | Personal security buzzers (for crime prevention purposes) | 8 Apr. | 5,000 | ||
| Miyagi | Minicar | 8 Apr. | 3 cars | ||
| Miyagi | Nutritional supplements | From early April | 4,000 bottles | ||
| Fukushima | Water | 11 Apr. | 1,536 bottles | VanaH Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Miyagi | Replenishments for recreation kits | 12 Apr. | 60 sets | ||
| Miyagi | Miniature toy cars | 12 Apr. | Approx. 1,200 | TAKARA TOMY | |
| Sagamihara* | Water | 12 Apr. | 12,288 bottles | VanaH Co., Ltd. | Two-liter plastic bottles |
| Miyagi | Play mats | 13 Apr. | Two types; 80 of each type | IKEA | |
| Miyagi | Drawing sets | 13 Apr. | 60 sets | IKEA | |
| Iwate | Preschool-size chairs, tables and low tables | 14 Apr. | 75 chairs; 11 tables; 9 low tables | Donated to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations | |
| Miyagi | Mopeds | 15 Apr. | 5 | ||
| Iwate | Notebooks and stationery sets for primary and junior high school students | 15. Apr. | 16,700 sets | ||
| Fukushima | Notebooks and stationery sets | 16 Apr. | 390 sets | ||
| Miyagi | 183 computers; 57 copiers and fax machines; 61 printers | 18-21 Apr. | Distributed to preschools, primary schools, junior high schools and high schools in the disaster area as well as their new locations | ||
| Fukushima | Movable blackboards | 21 Apr. | 10 | ||
| Fukushima | Temporary toilets | 22 Apr. | 20 | ||
| Iwate | Geiger counters | 28 Apr. | 14 | For schools in Soma City | |
| Iwate | Dressing room/ breastfeeding partition system | 29 Apr. | 21 sets | ||
| Saitama* | Milk | From late April | Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City | ||
| Saitama* | Yogurt | From early May | Danone Japan | Shelter in Futabamachi, Kazo City | |
| Iwate | Color pencils (120 sets) and paint (240 sets) | 13 May | |||
| Iwate | Student lamps | 14 May | 15 | ||
| Iwate | Stationery sets | 16 May | 840 sets | ||
| Fukushima | Lockers | 16 May | 22 sets | For the Board of Education of Minamisoma City | |
| Fukushima | Computers | 16 May | 1 | Ishikawa Town Board of Education | |
| Miyagi | 2 copiers; 2 computers; 2 printers | May | For Higashi-Matsushima Day-Care Center and Watari Day-Care Center | ||
| Iwate | Water receiving tank, water purifier tank, water supply tank | May construction | |||
| Miyagi | Solar-powered vaccine refrigerator | 18 May | |||
| Fukushima | Fans | 30 May | 112 | Minamisoma City Board of Education | |
| Fukushima | Masks | 30 May | 100,000 | Minamisoma City Board of Education | |
| Iwate | 1 copy machine | 2 June | Preschool | ||
| Miyagi | Rain coats | 4 June | 1,000 | ||
| Saitama* | Shoes | 15 June | 460 pairs | Converse Footwear Co., Ltd. | |
| Fukushima | Fans | 21 June | 21 | Minamisoma City Board of Education | |
| Miyagi | Jerseys for teachers and windbreakers for students (various sizes) | June | Akashi Hifuku Kogyo Co., Ltd | Junior high schools in Kesennuma City (6 schools) | |
| Miyagi | Used digital piano | June | 1 | ||
| Miyagi | Digital scale | 6 July | 200 | Ishinomaki City Offices | |
| Miyagi | Fans | 6 July | 5 | ||
| Miyagi | Child-size tables and chairs; toys | 22 July | IKEA | ||
| Iwate | Candles for events | 23 July | |||
| Iwate | Wall-hanging fans | 1 August | 200 | ||
| Iwate | Recreation kit replenishments | Regular | |||
| Fukushima | Fans | 2 August | 95 | Minamisoma City Board of Education | |
| Miyagi | Hand sterilizer | 3 August | 4,680 | Lion Corporation | Preschools, etc. |
| Miyagi | Antibacterial freshener | 3 August | 3,600 | Magnet Corporation; Antimicrobial Technology Co., Ltd.; Jutech Corporation; Clean Techno Co., Ltd.; Mitani Valve Co., Ltd.; HY Corporation | Preschools, etc. |
-Number of UNICEF Children’s Mini Libraries distributed: Approximately 240,000 books to over 1,900 locations (as of 4 August 2011).
-Number of children that have participated in the UNICEF “Let’s Play! The Outdoors Playtime Project” in Fukushima Prefecture (including planned numbers): More than 31,000 (as of 4 August).
*Areas receiving disaster victims.
*In certain cases some supplies may be taken from prefectural supply storage warehouses and distributed to shelters and disaster sites in other prefectures.
As of 9:00 a.m. on 4 August 2011 (compiled by the Information and Public Affairs Division).