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

Today, we are excited to welcome our first US partners.

It has been 2 months since we opened up Jolkona Foundation to the public. We are excited to see how well it has been received since then. However, for us to be truly successful in the long term, we need to continue to find ways to enrich the giving experience for our users. For example, what our users want to see is a diverse set of donation options. Today marks a significant milestone for Jolkona Foundation as we welcome our first US partners and launch 3 US projects.

Technology Access Foundation (TAF) brings an innovative approach to help educate children of color in some of the underserved communities in Seattle. Through their projects, you will be able to provide everything from supplying snacks for the afterschool program to sponsoring their field trips.

Washington Community Alliance for Self-Help (CASH) supports individuals with limited financial resources by providing them business training, supportive community and capital. You can support CASH’s activities by sponsoring various business trainings.

They say “Charity begins at home.” Both of these partners are committed to assisting the marginalized communities in our neighborhood. We couldn’t have picked out any better partners to bring Jolkona Foundation to America.

Jolkona Foundation’s goal is to build a platform that not only empowers the donors, but is also available to any nonprofit organization willing and able to show a tangible proof for every donation. The success of a platform is hinged on its popularity with its constituencies. Our platform now supports more than 40 projects in over 25 countries – from USA in the west to the Philippines in the east.

Thank you again for all your support so far. I hope you take this opportunity to support the projects with TAF and CASH or any of our other projects.

As always, your comments are highly welcome and appreciated!

	Give Business Skills to Low-Income People in USA

	Support Academic Success Amongst Minorities in USA

	Support Education of Minority Students in USA