[TOKYO, JAPAN, 13 November 2012]
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The UNICEF Prayer Tree Project is a cross-industry endeavour that brings together designers and arts university students specializing in various fields with corporations and universities in order to ensure that children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake get to enjoy a happy and heart-warming holiday season. Last year the Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) was able to deliver handmade ornaments and more than 100 trees to children in the Tohoku region. Children were also able to participate in ornament-making workshops.
JCU is looking for volunteers to visit the affected areas and make original ornaments with Tohoku children. Volunteers are need for two periods: 1 December (Sat) – 2 December (Sun) or 3 December (Mon); and 9 December (Sun) – 10 December (Mon). A private bus will be provided to transport volunteers from Tokyo to their respective event locations.
JCU is looking for designers, arts university students, individuals skilled at arts and crafts, and anyone with experience making crafts with children.
| Location | Otsuchi Town; Miyako City |
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| Schedule | 1 December (Sat) a.m. departure – 2 December (Sun) return |
| Description | Ornament workshops will be held at shopping centres and other locations that have served as symbols of reconstruction to the region. Children can freely participate in the workshops and volunteers will be in charge of assisting children with the creation and decoration of ornaments. |
| Location | Kesennuma City |
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| Schedule | 1 December (Sat) a.m. departure – 3 December (Mon) early morning return |
| Description | Ornaments created by children and illuminations will be used to decorate the "Kizuna no To" (Bond Tower), a tower that stands at Kizuna Square in Kesennuma Yokocho. Kesennuma Yokocho is a grouping of food shops dedicated to the reconstruction of the city. Volunteers are in charge of assisting children with the creation and decoration of ornaments. Volunteers will be returned on an overnight bus so that they can stay to assist with the lighting of the tower at night. |
| Location | Around Ishonomaki City (TBC) *Subject to change |
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| Schedule | 9 December (Sun) a.m. departure – 10 December (Mon) p.m. return |
| Description | Volunteers will visit kindergartens and preschools in the affected areas mainly in Ishinomaki City—a location devastated by the disaster—to help prepare schools for their holiday events, including by assisting children (age 3-5) with the creation and decoration of ornaments. |
| Location | Yamagata City; Yonezawa City |
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| Schedule | 9 December (Sun) a.m. departure – 10 December (Mon) p.m. return |
| Description | Volunteers will make ornaments together with children (preschool age) and parents who have long evacuated from Fukushima. Later, volunteers will enjoy a fun lunch time with the children. |
Please visit the Prayer Tree Project site for more information »
Over a year and half has passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake. While concern about the affected areas is declining, reconstruction has yet to be achieved. JCU asks for your participation again this year in bringing light and joy to the holidays of children affected by the disaster.
*Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The window for applications will close once the maximum number participant slots have been filled.
Inquiries: Prayer Tree Project Headquarters
Tel: 03-5621-3036 (in Fukushima Design)
Email: jcuinfo@unicef.or.jp
http://www.inoritree.com/
All photo credits: © Japan Committee for UNICEF
