New Zealander Yumiko Olliver-Gray has family in the Sendai region of Japan, and with her cousin, a teacher at Fukudamachi Kindergarten, she’s coordinating a disaster relief project for the kindergarten of almost 200 children.
Following the earthquake, staff at the kindergarten have been working hard to clean up and are now ready to welcome the children back. Whilst most of the children are safe, some have lost their homes, leaving them without clothing, toys and basic necessities. Many of the children will be traumatised by the disaster.
The head teacher of Fukudamachi Kindergarten has welcomed an offer of a care package of clothing and toys which will be distributed to the children in need, and DHL have kindly donated free shipping to the kindergarten.
So here’s where you come in – you can help by donating new handmade items. The children are aged 3–5 years and clothing items are required more than toys. Clothing can include skirts, shorts, tops dresses, polar fleece, hats – Japan is heading into spring, but it is still very cool in the mornings and evenings in this part of the country (it’s still snowing!). Consider weight and bulk when deciding what to send and, if possible, include the suitable age/size and (if relevant) gender for the item you are sending.
Items need to reach Paraparaumu by 28 April 2011, so time is of the essence! Email Yumiko at hapachica@gmail.com for the New Zealand delivery address.
If you’re not a crafter, but would still like to contribute, there are heaps of sellers on Felt who can help you out. Simply email Yumiko for the New Zealand delivery address before purchasing an item on Felt, then specify the address at the checkout and include a note to the seller with a link to this post. Better still, purchase your Japan donation from FeltAid and the money you spend goes to the Red Cross Christchurch Earthquake Appeal. Two donations in one!
Yumiko plans to create a photo montage of all those who have contributed to the project, so please also consider sending a photo of yourself/your family/group to hapachica@gmail.com, with the names of those in the photo and the details of your donation.
THank you so much for posting this – happy for felt contributors and members to have items reach me by 2 May 2011.
We will also be at Craft 2.0 (April 23, New Dowse) with a drop off point (upstairs) for donations and to say hello to crafters too. Hope to meet you there