April 10, 2013
The 12 junior high school students from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture who took part in the 2013 Spring Fukushima Youth Ambassadors project arrived back to Narita airport on April 1, 2013 after having learned about language, nature, sustainability and energy in Australia. From Narita they travelled by bus, safely returning to Minamisoma.
*Reports on their everyday activities in Australia can be viewed on the Fukushima Support Blog here (Japanese language).
The 8-day local program was very fulfilling and fruitful, thanks to the cooperation of Australia-side partner Japanese for Peace, the homestay families, and all others at the schools, farm, beach, wind farm, permaculture garden and other places visited during their stay.
From the initial stages of planning and selecting students to bringing the students home, Nishi Michinori and other members of local Fukushima partner “Minamisoma Kodomo no Tsubasa” (Childrens’ Wings) were a constant support.
Furthermore, many donations were made in both Australia and Japan in order to fund this project. Without this financial support, the project could never have been realized.
The junior high school students are scheduled to go back to their schools and hold report sessions on what they felt, thought and learned through their travels. We wish to support these 12 youth in this, and hope that by holding these sessions their experiences can deepen and spread for their growth and the benefit of their community.
Along with announcing their safe return, we thank everyone that supported this project in many different ways. Thank you very much for everything, and keep your eyes out for more news!
For more information and photos, see the Fukushima Youth Ambassadors in Australia Facebook page here.
TAGS: Australia • children • education • Fukushima • Fukushima Youth Ambassadors • Melbourne • Peace Boat • Relief • sustainability • youth