Malteser International in Japan

One year after Japan's triple disaster: Help for the Fujinosono children's home

: In March 2012, one year after the earthquake, the snow has returned to Ichinoseki. This time, the children are able to enjoy the winter. Photo: Kazushi Abe

“Earthquake, Tsunami, Fukushima” – The year 2011 will likely be related to these three words in the memory of most Japanese. One year after the earthquake and tsunami caused widespread destruction and loss of life, many Japanese are still looking for ways to cope and heal.

“The earthquake was a terrible experience for the children, a trauma which cannot be forgotten so quickly.” – Sister Caelina

That is the case with Fujinosono, a home for children and youth in north-eastern Japan. Located in the small town of Ichinoseki, the home gives shelter, food, health care and education to 55 children who, for a variety of reasons, cannot be cared for by their own families. The earthquake heavily damaged the home, rendering it uninhabitable.

Together with the international Caritas network as well as private and corporate donors worldwide, Malteser International is supporting the construction of a new home for Fujinosono with five million euros. Shortly before Christmas 2011, the children were able to move into a safe temporary home; the old home is currently being demolished.

The new energy-efficient home will be built according to the latest earthquake resistance standards, will rely on renewable energies for a large part of its electricity supply, and will function as an evacuation centre for Ichinoseki residents in case of disaster.

Click here for a detailed description of our project in Ichinoseki

The little girl turns the microphone in her hand. Encouraged by the looks of the others, she starts speaking, slowly and faltering at first, then with more confidence...

More about the staff's and the children's commemoration

In the days after the disaster, it became clear for Fujinosono’s staff and management that the home should have an energy system which can still function in case of emergency.

More about Fujinosono's energy-efficient construction