Image credit: kaspernybo on Flickr

Remembering Tohoku

Here at Jolkona, we’re reflecting on Tōhoku– Japan is still suffering. It has only been half a year since the 9.0 magnitude earthquake evolved into a devastating tsunami. Consuming cars, houses, and buildings in minutes, it resulted in more than 15,000 confirmed deaths and over 4,000 people missing. Efforts to bring support have generated recovery, and the reactions of Japanese natives away from home are inspiring.

Nurturing Hope

Ryo Ishikawa’s generous donations to relief efforts through the Master’s golf tournament in April, and the numerous disaster response teams have engendered hope for the Japanese people. Though the urgency of the horrific crisis has died down, there are still unresolved issues and complications.

Immediately following a disaster, many needs are funded after an analysis of the damage. This takes time and can stall the effects of your contribution or potentially negate any authenticity of your generous actions. This was depicted in many of the misconceptions that developed with the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The beginning of positive change is the rebuilding stage. We are excited to announce a new nonprofit partner who is introducing you to four new projects that fuel life-changing opportunities to help this process.

Welcome iLEAP, presenting transformative projects in Japan that support their currently challenging circumstances. iLEAP is a Seattle-based nonprofit that equips young entrepreneurs with training and educational knowledge, collaboration with global leaders. They send their equipped volunteers to inspire empowerment and give opportunities for growth to societies in need.

Support one, two, or all four projects through Jolkona:

Prevent Postpartum Depression for Mothers in Japan

Women who are giving birth after such a stressful chain of events are local heroes, bringing renewal and promise of a new generation to rebuild the world. Prevent emotionally painful postpartum depression among Japanese mothers by providing physical health through community fitness classes, for $50, or educational materials for $15.

Help Tsunami Affected Children Return to School

Onagawa Night School is providing education for children who have lost their homes, possessions, and families.
Philanthropic tip: Commute to work by bus for a month, and support three children as they attend night school in the Tsunami affected area for 60$.

Sponsor Young Fellows to Help Earthquake Victims

Young Fellows is a strong group of dedicated people who contribute community support to inspire confidence in those who are struggling. Philanthropic tip: Host a dinner party instead of going out, and donate $70 to sponsor a young fellow for an entire day in Japan.

Help Japanese Non-Profits Receive Tax Exempt Status

Giving is a chain that links eternally, inspiring the power of the human heart. Japanese non-profits require lengthy paperwork and certifications in order to gain tax-exempt status, which will often break the chain of any nonprofit. Your donation of $100 would bring one group to an educational event rich with experience to successfully begin their project.

Know Your Impact

With every donation you make through Jolkona, you will receive personalized feedback: a unique proof for the person or project that you have generously supported.

How do you wish to contribute? Can’t decide? Explore this flowchart to guide you:

Image by Mike Sturgeon, Graphic Design Jolkona Intern

To learn more about our projects for Japan relief, visit http://www.i4JAPAN.org

Our prayers go out to the people of Japan right now.  I know it’s so hard to sit back and do nothing while watching the video footage of the destruction caused by the recent Japan Earthquake and Tsunami so we wanted to recommend a couple of options of where to give your money.  As you know, the 8.9 earthquake caused catastrophic damage that was worsened by a deadly tsunami that hit on Friday morning.  Due to the tsunami, the government has already evacuated thousands of residents in a two-mile radius of the Fukushima nuclear plant due to damage in their cooling systems and possible meltdown.  While we at Jolkona would love to help fundraise for Japan right now, unfortunately, Jolkona is not set up to help with relief efforts during natural disasters due to the difficulty in showing one to one impact in such situations. However,  we do try to partner with organizations on the ground to help in the aftermath of disasters.  For example, in Haiti we have a project that currently provides aid during the recovery stage as Haiti continues to rebuild its infrastructure.  We’ll keep you posted if we find any organizations to partner with in the future that will help Japan during the recovery stage of this tragic disaster.

But for now, what Japan needs are our prayers and donations to help provide immediate relief for earthquake and tsunami victims. We recommend the follow organizations who are working on the ground to provide immediate relief assistance and are well equipt to do so, so please make a donation directly to one of the organizations below if you haven’t already donated yet.

1. Mercycorp is working with long standing partner Peace Winds on the ground to provide emergency assistance to earthquake survivors.  You can make a donation to help with their relief efforts and start your own campaign here.
2. AmeriCares has teams mobilizing resources to help with Japan disaster relief.  They specialize in providing medical relief and humanitarian assistance to natural disaster victims.  In 1995, AmeriCares helped out with the disaster relief after the Kobe earthquake as well.
3. Give2Asia has many partners working in Asia and in Japan and has set up a tsunami and flood relief fund that will go directly to those partners on the ground.  They are working with local organizations such as Japanese Emergency NGOs (JEN), Saigai Volunteer Katsudo Shien Project Kaigi, Shanti Volunteer Association, Rescue Stock Yard, and Niigata Saigai (Disaster Volunteer Network).