The Japan Earthquake Local NPO Support Fund (the 1st stage) decided to provide grant funding to the following organization on November 28, 2011.
This is complementary to the grant fund decided on May 20, 2011 (see Outline (1)) and ended in October in responding to their postponement of the activities until December.
Nijiiro Crayons (formerly Ishinomaki Kodomo Hinanjo Club)
Website:
http://ishinomakicrc.wordpress.com/
Amount of Funding:
JPY 330,000
Activities for Post-quake Recovery:
In the coastal area of Miyagi Prefecture (Ishinomaki City, Higashi Matsushima City, Sendai City), which was devastated by the Earthquake, temporary houses were being built in the parks. Children living in the neighborhood as well as in these houses have no place to play after school or on weekend. The children are forced to play in front of temporary houses or on the roads.
Since these roads and pathways are paved with asphalt and stones, children have less chance to feel natural soils and sands. They tend to stay inside their houses and play video games instead. These children are often found to be unstable in terms of their mental health.
Thus Nijiiro Crayons strives to create a safe and secured place to play where children can feel relaxed grow steadily. It is also a place for children feeling stressed from the disaster, to let go of their frustrations. At the same time, the organization makes sure that their parents can feel safe in leaving their child in our care.
Nijiiro Crayons offers a variety of plays for children living in temporary houses and in the neighborhood. Through recreational activities, we hope to grow children’s intelligence, culture, and sociability. We also conduct picture book reading training and mental care training for volunteer leaders and staff members.
