Kesennuma: Life After the Tsunami

JAPAN | Friday, 11 January 2013 | Views [500] | View Smaller Image

In the midst of all the tragedy, there seems such determination, such hope, such amazing resilience. I met people who had lost everything to the tsunami, but smiled and talked about the future in a truly humbling way. At Peace Jam the mothers can bring their children to work (saving on childcare costs) earn a decent income, and bond. I spoke to a few of the women, who told me they love working at Peace Jam because it is a healing environment to be in, gives them hope, friendship and a much-needed wage and that they are endlessly thankful for Mr. Sato’s help.

Tags: japan, kesennuma, tsunami, entrepreneur, peace jam

Around 80% of businesses were destroyed in Kesennuma, so the plight now remains: there is just no work. Enter Ken Sato, a man who is making a real difference. After the tsunami hit, he said he felt like it was the end of the world. He looked around and saw the plight of people all around him, particularly mothers with young babies. So he decided to do something about it. He began simply – by asking people what they needed (milk, diapers) and driving to other towns to find it for them. When demand increased and more people became interested, he began a blog where people could list what they needed and others could list what they had for offer, and he began distributing these regularly. Soon after he realized the biggest need was employment. So being the entrepreneur he is, he used his savings to start his own NGO called Peace Jam, a jam making factory and a small sewing factory, where he hires mothers with children.

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Kesennuma: Life After the Tsunami

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