[TOKYO, Japan, 12 April 2011]
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| © Japan Committee for UNICEF |
An entrance and opening ceremony were held at Daini Primary School in Onagawa Town in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the areas strongly hit by the Great East Japan Earthquake. The ceremonies were originally scheduled for 8 April. However, they were postponed due to an aftershock that occurred on the night of 7 April, making the opening a long-awaited event for the children.
A silent prayer was held before the ceremony to mourn those that died in the disaster, during which the sniffles and crying of children could be heard throughout the venue.
School Principal Michiko Kajitani commented that, “Hearing the children say how happy they are to be back at school this morning just filled me with joy.” The principal went on to deliver a message to the returning children:
“When you are happy, it makes the teachers happy, too, and it gives them the strength to work hard. Let’s do our best to study hard and help others. Starting today children from Onagawa Daiyon Primary School will also be studying together with us. Please make them feel at home here at our school.”
Next, six-grader Anna Watanabe spoke on behalf of the school’s approximately 135 students, expressing everyone’s determination for the new school term. Anna listed three things that she has decided to strive for as a six-grader.
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| © Japan Committee for UNICEF |
“I lost a lot as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake. I have even been separated from my friend. My friend and I promised to pass down the traditions of Onagawa Daini Primary School and create a wonderful environment once again. Keeping that promise, I have decided on three things that I will strive for.”
“The first is to always smile. The reason is that smiling will help the school and even the whole community regain its positive energy. The second is to take care of my friends. While we lived together at the shelter, we supported each other and helped each other relieve our worries. The third is to be a responsible sixth-grader. I hope to take responsibility and to make this school a fun place. Under the slogan “Daini Primary Never Backs Down!” I plan to take the first giant step in exhibiting the true strength of our school.”
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake also sent a congratulatory message to the children to celebrate the reopening of the school.
“The first day of a new school term is a special day filled with hope for the future, and that is especially true for all of you that experienced the earthquake disaster. It may feel strange to return to the classroom, but many people are supporting you. (Omitted) I thank all the people who made this back-to-school day possible. I send all my very best wishes for a wonderful school year.”
At the end of the opening ceremony the children sang the school song, which brought tears to faces of many teachers and parents.
The entrance ceremony was held next, where 17 new students were welcomed into the school. Miyagi Association for UNICEF representative Eiko Igarashi personally delivered the schoolbags to new students on behalf of Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU). Ms. Igarashi wished the children luck and expressed her gratitude. “The children of Onagawa have always supported UNICEF. This time it is our turn to return the favor,” she said.
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| © Japan Committee for UNICEF |
JCU staff member Hiromasa Nakai, who attended the opening and entrance ceremonies, commented that, “Compared to the younger children, the classrooms of older children were more quite and the students appeared to be tenser. However, the students smiled as they received the new first-graders. I felt better after the assistant principal reassured me that the children would regain their energy with each passing day. I plan to continue working to provide assistance for the children in various different ways in the future as well.”
JCU provided all of the children in Onagawa Town with schoolbags, book bags, pencils, note books, pencil cases and other school supplies. JCU will continue providing assistance for reopening schools, including psychological assistance for children, so that the children of the disaster area are able to return to school as quickly as possible.
| 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 | RChildren’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 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 |
*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 8 April 2011 (compiled by the Information and Public Affairs Division).