On the 11th March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 Mw earthquake occurred off the east coast of Japan. One of the most severe effects of the earthquake and the tsunami which followed was the tragic loss of life. It is reported that about 350 Japanese children were orphaned by the disaster; 1,580 children lost either one or both parents.
All three trustees have a keen interest in Japan and have witnessed the effects of the tragedy. Akemi Solloway, despite living in the UK, has close connections with Japan and is frequently in contact with people whose lives were changed by the earthquake and tsunami.
The extent of the organizations activities in Japan are limited to the summer residential course.Everyone who assists with the residential courses does so on a voluntary basis. The number of volunteers who travel to Japan is small and, during the residential course, everyone stays in the same accommodation as the children and their guardians. The younger volunteers are known to Akemi through her Japanese classes. They therefore know each other well and discuss the summer programs at length and well in advance of the date of departure. The adults who volunteer on the program are all CRB checked. No staff are employed overseas.
