Respite for evacuees
Respite Days
Many affected people are tired both physically
and mentally. Especially, women with children
in an evacuation situation can be burdened
with undue stress. For instance when mothers
and their children evacuated from their normal
place of residence in order to avoid radiation
caused by the Fukushima nuclear accident,
mothers had to take care of their children only
by themselves in an unfamiliar place without
the support of their spouse because they
often stayed behind in the affected areas.
“Respite Days” is an opportunity to give such
mothers and children a brief break.
During Respite Days, they looked so relaxed
that they did not look like evacuees from the
disaster and the nuclear accident. However,
unsolved problems piled up, e.g. considering
the facts of raising children apart from
families, moving to different places for
evacuation, and relationships with families
staying in Fukushima. Consultations with
lawyers were available at this place of respite.
Participants can do anything they like.
Mothers enjoyed having aromatherapy and
massage, making Christmas wreaths and
learning art of self-defence. Children played
volleyball, made dragon crafts and Origami
(the traditional Japanese art of paper-folding),
drawing and reading picture books. Girls in
the upper grades gathered in a small group to
play games and chat. Little children created
their own play by themselves. Taking part in
various programs, the Respite Days give
evacuees a relaxed feeling.
Respite Days