Saturday, March 19, 2011

Japan Needs A Helping Hand

 
The following story just broke my heart.

As reported in the UK Daily Mail:

Sitting silent in their classroom, the 30 children whose parents have not come to collect them after tsunami swept away their town

Even amid the carnage and despair of Japan's tsunami victims, the plight of the 30 children at Kama Elementary School is heartbreaking.
They sit quietly in the corner of a third-floor classroom where they have waited each day since the tsunami swept into the town of Ishinomaki for their parents to collect them. So far, no one has come and few at the school now believe they will.
Teachers think that some of the boys and girls, aged between eight and 12, know their fathers and mothers are among the missing and will never again turn up at the gates of the school on the eastern outskirts of the town, but they are saying nothing.
Instead, they wait patiently reading books or playing card games watched over by relatives and teachers, who prevent anyone from speaking to them.

Officials fear that even the sound of the door sliding back might raise false hope that a parent has come to collect them. Their silence is in marked contrast to other children playing in the corridors of the four-story building, whose parents survived due to a complete fluke.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1366898/Japan-tsunami-earthquake-30-children-sit-silent-classroom-parents-vanish.html#ixzz1H51lGHpl
But for the grace of God go we.

Americans can do our small share to help the people of Japan at this devastating time.  A contribution to a trustworthy organization is a good way to start. 

You can check on charitable organizations to make sure they are reputable at Charity NavigatorCharity Navigator has a link to help us make informed decisions before we donate to the Japan crisis and a list of organizations to consider.  Go to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: How To Help.

Here are three suggestions:

or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone
Your gift to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.

One hundred percent of donations to this advance will help the people of Japan recover from this still unfolding disaster. Your generosity will support the rebuilding of communities, and may address the reconstruction of homes and places of worship, among other needs. Online Giving
 


Japan Relief 13953

At the very least, we must remember Japan in our prayers.

10 comments:

  1. This is heartbreaking. For some reason this story hits home for me more than others. Maybe because my biggest fear with my kids is that they will lose their mom. I something happened to me all I'd care about is their wellbeing. If that makes sense.

    I already donated but this story still makes me feel helpless. So tragic.

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  2. Thanks for this one TCL. I'll link it for the Sunday Link Post.

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  3. Lisa:
    As a mom, I can relate to your fear. There are so many sad stories, but this one just touched me.

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  4. Matt:
    Thanks. I know we will be generous, as always, when these terrible catastrophes occur. But we can never be sure if our money is used efficiently.

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  5. thanks CL for caring so deeply. God bless.

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  6. This is so sad, TCL. All those poor kids who have most likely lost their parents. This is tragic. My thoughts and prayers are with the children.

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  7. The earthquake and tsunami will scar the psyche of many Japanese people for a generation. It will be the day the earth and sea swallowed - cities.

    Americans are generous people. They are a people with a vast capacity for charity and I join you in calling for generosity.

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  8. LL:
    I can not even imagine being in their shoes right now. At least we can be sure that the Japanese will use our money in a productive way for people.

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