Home sweet home, for now

 

June 30, Tuesday

During our last visit in 2025, we were told most, if not all, of the kasetsu jyuutaku (temporary housing) residents would returning home. Based on the number of these buildings we saw over the past week, it seems most of these residents will be staying there for awhile.

We joined another church who gathered together for what's known as "The Cafe." We offered coffee, tea, snacks -- and this week, they were greeted with watermelon (it went quickly!). We also engage the residents with games. This Cafe was nearby where we're staying in Noto.

Later in the week it was our turn. We went to visit a kasetsu community in Wajima. We were asked to offer games and refreshment. We worked with whatever equipment we had. That included cups, ping pong balls, and balloons.

I'm not sure why we inflated some balloons, but as it runs out, just batting the balloons was the most fun activity. The only rule was to not let the balloon touch the ground. I guess the rule of "less rules, more fun" applied here.

We were led by Nakamura-San, we had the opportunity to work with her last year. She had all the details for our visit prepared, save for the aforementioned balloon game.

Nakamura-San then took us to an adjacent kasetsu to get lunch. They created a full-service restaurant with very affordable prices. It provides a sense of normalcy for the residents, as well as provide a quite tasty meal for us volunteers.

Next was a visit to the headquarters of the Noto Reconstruction Support Commitee, another partner with Noto Help. We were asked to help with outdoor cleanup, including removing weeks and bag good soil for future gardening. Somehow Ty managed to make a new friend.

We've done some physical labor on this trip, but we're kinda focused this year on community building. As we mentioned in the last post, one of the residents told us she expects to be here at least another year.

I (Alan) personally am still amazed. Many of these kasetsu residents are seniors. They lost nearly everything in the earthquake. Yet they've learned to support each other through community. What can I learn from them?

See you in the next day or two.

#glints #notohelp

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