Diocesan Families Help Give Japanese Tsunami Victims TimeOut

July 27, 2011

Diocesan Families Pitch In to Give Japanese Tsunami Victims Time Out

Families from Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls will host half of 30 Japanese students coming to New Zealand this week for a three-week home stay respite from the effects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which has shattered their families’ lives.

The students, who are aged between 12 and 18, come from the Tohoku region of Japan which was severely affected by the massive disaster that struck Japan’s north-east coast on March 11.

They have all either lost parents, siblings or other relatives, had their homes destroyed or have been evacuated because of nuclear radiation risks.

More than 15,000 people died and an estimated 10,000 are still missing following the magnitude 9 earthquake and 37.9-metre tsunami which led to severe radiation leaks at damaged nuclear power plants and is estimated to have cost Japan more than $309 billion.

The students’ trip to New Zealand is being organised by Time Out in New Zealand, a non-profit initiative whose three founders – Auckland-based Mia Evans, Jon Doherty and Tokyo based Tosh Aoshima – have strong business ties with Japan.

Money to help support the Japanese students’ home stays was donated by Support Our Kids, a charity set up in Japan and New Zealand earlier this year to raise funds for children in Tohoku and those in Christchurch affected by the February 22 earthquake.
After the students arrive in Auckland tomorrow, they will head down to Rotorua to stay on a marae as well as visiting local attractions including Rainbow Springs and the Agrodome.

Other experiences will include horse riding and visiting the Waitomo Caves before the students return to Auckland to attend school and be with their home stay families until they return to Japan on August 19.

Diocesan School will hold a powhiri at its Epsom-based campus for all of the Japanese students and their host families on Monday August 1 at 7.15am. Families from Lynfield College and Mt Albert Grammar are hosting the rest of the students.

“Without the generosity of the families from Diocesan and other Auckland schools who are hosting our students, as well as all sponsors who have contributed generously, it would not have been possible to give them a break,” said Time Out in New Zealand co-founder and general manager of Bancorp Wealth Management Limited, Mia Evans.

Diocesan’s principal Heather McRae said the school was delighted to provide a haven for the Japanese students who share a common grief and loss with Christchurch victims through the two recent disasters which have devastated their lives.

“Creating the opportunity for a new and exciting experience for these young people is one way we can offer a sense of love and support and show that we care. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have made a contribution in bringing this idea to fruition.”

www.diocesan.school.nz
www.timeoutinnz.org.nz
www.support-our-kids.org

ENDS

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