A Message from Team TOMODACHI on the One-Year Anniversary of March 11, 2011
On the one-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011, we at Team TOMODACHI have been thinking about how to best commemorate the event.
All of us recalled where we were when we first heard the terrible news, and saw the horrific images of the devastation. Many of us remembered our experiences volunteering in Tohoku, what we saw and the people we helped. We also thought about all of the citizens of Tohoku that we have met in the past year and the personal stories they shared with us.
Each of us was struck by the same thing – despite the profound human tragedy that they experienced, the people of Tohoku are resilient, full of hope, and determined to rebuild their lives and forge a brighter future for their communities. Their stories inspire us every day in our work on the TOMODACHI Initiative.
We think about Mayor Toba of Rikuzentaka, who lost thousands of his town’s citizens – including his own wife – to the tsunami. When asked what the American people could do to help his town, he said after much contemplation that he would like young people in Rikuzentakata to have the opportunity to experience the United States and to learn English. He said this would help them see beyond the devastation and tragedy that surround them, and to have hope for the future.
We think about Ayaka, the young girl who lost her entire family to the tsunami, but is determined to pursue her dream of learning English and studying in America.
We think about Kenyuu, a university student from the hard-hit town of Kesennuma, who dreams not only of helping to restore the economic life of his hometown, but also of working with others in the TOMODACHI Generation to revitalize Japan as a whole.
On the first anniversary on March 11th, we rededicate ourselves to Mayor Toba, Ayaka Kenyuu, and all of the people of Tohoku. We will continue to make their hopes and dreams our mission today and every day going forward. We recognize the strength and bravery of those still involved in recovery efforts, helping the people of Tohoku rebuild to great heights and also honor the memories of those we’ve lost.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our friends in Tohoku and throughout Japan today.
Team TOMODACHI