Child Protection Japan Project #13568

School of Fun for Children in Fukushima

by Academy Camp

Project Report | Jul 13, 2015
Improving Children's Eating Habits by Dragon Boat

By Mika Otani | A student volunteer

With a fun text for food education

Please find a Japanese version of this report here.

I am a university student studying nutritional science. From this April, we have started a food education project as part of Fukushima Dragon Boat Academy, named "Improvement of Eating Habit from Dragon Boat Project". We have been continuing our activities in the hope that children in Fukushima will learn the meaning, importance and fun of "eating" through this sport called dragon boat. We talk about working of nutrients, effects of eating and good eating behaviors from the viewpoint of a sport, hoping that the children utilize the knowledge in other parts of their lives as well.

Through the food education, as a student of nutritional science, I have been feeling difficulty of communicating what I have learned in the university. It is not easy to communicate about complex mechanisms in such a way that they can be easily understood and not to be misunderstood at the same time. We always try to plan our education to be fun, so that children can be interested.

Even adults often do not understand what exactly they are eating. I think having a good knowledge on food and eating behaviors will lead to understanding importance and fun of eating. The eating habits in their childhood influence their lives when they become adults. It would be difficult for children to review their life styles considering their future effects, but we hope that food education through sports will improve their eating habits. I hope that eating habits of the children will become better through this project.

PARTNER REWARDS BONUS DAY : 50% Matching on July 15

GlobalGiving is offering a bonus day on July 15, 2015, starting from 9:00:01 EDT until the funds run out or 23:59:59 the same day. USD 115,000 (US) and GBP 8,500 (UK) matching funds are available, and each donation will be matched 50% for Academy Camp. Please consider giving your support for children in Fukushima and Academy Camp including the Fukushima Dragon Boat Academy on this great opportunity in which you can boost the impact of your contributions!

Checking out ingredients

Thinking about foods

Mika Otani

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Jun 24, 2015
Fukushima Dragon Boat Academy at the Races

By Kenji Saito | Representative Director

Apr 7, 2015
Academy Camp 2015 in Aizu (Mar. 28-29)

By Kenji Saito | Representative Director

Girls and traditional crafts they painted

Please find a Japanese version of this report here.

We held a one-night camp in Aizu, a western area of Fukushima prefecture, from March 28 to 29, 2015 with about 50 children from across Fukushima. This time, we let children experience local traditional craftsmanship of Aizu, such as painting self-righting dharma dolls or red cow toys, and also experience "failures" and "incremental approach towards success" through out-of-season watermelon splitting.

(A watermelon splitting is a game played in summer in which a blindfolded player tries to hit a watermelon with a stick by listening to verbal guidances from friends. This time we did not use a real watermelon.)

Let us quote comments from two student volunteers who participated in the camp:

"I feel that it was more joyful and fulfilling camp than its duration of one-night implied. Our group members looked nervous at the first time we met, but gradually made friends with one another, and looked back the whole camp closely together in the end. Everyone made a wonderful work of art in the traditional craftsmanship experience. It has been a long time since I participated in the camp last time, which made me half anticipating and half anxious, but I am glad that I came here again, looking at the members of my group getting along and having fun. Though, members always betray our anticipations, both in good and bad ways ;) ... which must have been a good experience for the members themselves, too."

"I laughed a lot hearing talks among the members of my group, and felt peace of mind looking at higher graders taking care of small children. One-night is too short. I regret a little having not been able to make friends with members in other groups. Looking back the camp, I think the camp is also a "place that allows failures" for myself, not just for the members. It was an opportunity I could utilize more, thinking, failing and trying more actively. I shouldn't forget this feeling and will try to be better the next time. Thank you for many follow-ups and advices. When there is another opportunity, let me participate again!"

Here is a comment from a mother who sent her two children to the camp:

"Both of them are motivated for joining the next camp too :) . I always feel that there are different efforts and discoveries they get in touch with every time I hear reports from them after Academy Camp."

We have been hearing from many parents that their children want to join our camps again.

Japan Matching Continues at GlobalGiving UK

Japan Matching, where all eligible donations to Tohoku projects, including Academy Camp, are matched 100%, is still ongoing at GlobalGiving UK. Your support will double its impact, and greatly enhance what we can do for children in Fukushima this year. So please spread the word about this great giving opportunity.

Academy Camp at GlobalGiving UK:

https://www.globalgiving.co.uk/projects/academy-camp/

The sign above "donate" button says "Japan Matching" while the funds still remain.

Paint work at a local studio

A self-righting dharma doll a girl painted

Experience failures - help him hit the ball!

Presenting what they learnt

A group selfie

Links:

GlobalGiving UK Japan Matching 2015

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