Today, our morning bathing assistance began more leisurely than usual, setting a peaceful tone for the day. We were particularly moved by our interactions with two female residents, aged 105 and 102. They walked steadily with their walkers and enjoyed their juice without any thickener, expressing their gratitude with a smile. We were captivated by their youthful appearance.
In the afternoon, our HuMA team welcomed a new member, injecting fresh energy into the team. However, we also had to say goodbye to a team member who has been with us. It was a bittersweet moment. Amidst these changes, a resident who is skilled at crafts gave us a beautifully folded origami box as a farewell gift. With a warm message, she asked us to give it to the person who would be leaving today.
The evacuation shelter at Horyu Elementary and Junior High School, where HuMA has been providing support since the January earthquake, has been closed. We visited the new shelter at Horyu Community Center to see the people we had previously assisted. They were delighted to hear that HuMA is now providing support at a local elderly care facility in Suzu and that we had come to visit. We had a wonderful time catching up and learned about the current situation in Suzu, as well as the concerns and worries of the residents. These conversations reinforced the importance of our support. One person told us, “I’m sure this support will be a great help to many people.” Their words reaffirmed the significance of our work. The smiles of the disaster-stricken people are the driving force behind our activities.
 |
 |
 |
 |