WHERE THE PROCEEDS ARE GOING
Immediately following the devastating earthquake and tsunami a large number of highly effective aid organizations were able, through the generosity of millions of donors from around the world, to provide indispensible emergency support. As time has gone on the needs of communities and individuals affected by the disaster has evolved, from emergency disaster relief to rebuilding healthy and viable communities. This includes programs to provide for the long-term needs of displaced people and orphaned children. As this transition occurs, different aid agencies have become invaluable participants in the relief and reconstruction effort. To select organizations to receive proceeds from the sale of Japan Recovery Calendars we looked for those that accomplish the following:
• support programs that directly benefit the social and physical health of local communities most heavily damaged by the earthquake and tsunami,
• deliver a maximum percentage of donations directly to community programs, with minimal deduction for administrative costs,
• act in partnership with an already established, well-respected organization that has a solid history of involvement in Japan.
With these requirements in mind, two organizations have been selected to receive proceeds from the sale of Japan Recovery Calendars: Ashinga Fund and Japan Earthquake Local NPO Support Fund.
The appropriateness and effectiveness of recipient organizations will continue to be evaluated to guarantee that the above criteria are being met. If you have any recommendations for other organizations, please contact us. info@japanrecoverycalendar.org
Ashinaga Fund (http://www.ashinaga.org/en/)
Partnered through Give2Asia: http://give2asia.org/japantsunami-2011
Ashinaga is a non-profit educational foundation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan that provides financial and psychological support for children and youth who have lost one or both parents to illness, accidents, disasters, or suicide, or whose parents suffer from disabilities. Founded in 1969, it has provided over $800 million in educational aid to some 80,000 students for their continued education. The name Ashinaga has its origin in the 1912 American novel written by Jean Webster, Daddy-Long-Legs, about an orphaned girl whose college education is financed by an anonymous benefactor. Ashinaga, a translation of “long-legs”, refers to the anonymous donors who support its efforts. The cumulative number of Ashinagas currently stands at approximately 100,000.
Since the earthquake and tsunami hit northeast in Japan on March 11th, Ashinaga has concentrated its efforts on providing support to children and youth who have lost one or both parents or guardians. One program provides relief payments for children, from infants to graduate school students.
Ashinaga also runs the Kobe Rainbow House built after 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan. It operates as a care center of healing through exchange of major life experiences for children and youth. With 16 years of experience running the facility, Ashinaga has the know-how in the psychosocial care of children after a disaster. Ashinaga plans to build a similar center within two years in Tohoku where damage from the recent tsunami was most severe. Contributions from the calendar proceeds will specifically support children and youth who have lost one or more parents or guardians in the Tohoku disaster and will also help support the building of the new Tohoku Rainbow House.
Japan Earthquake Local NPO Support Fund (http://www.jnpoc.ne.jp/?p=985)
Part of the Japan Society’s Japan Earthquake Relief Fund: http://www.japansociety.org/page/earthquake
In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, an all-out effort for rescue and relief has been under way, where effective mobilization of local and community-based NPOs (Non-Profit Organizations) is a key for meeting the needs of different local contexts and sustainable recovery processes.
With this understanding, the Japan NPO Center, in collaboration with the Civil Society Initiative Fund, has established the Japan Earthquake Local NPO Support Fund. The Fund will be used to support local NPOs which conduct much needed relief and recovery efforts.
Needs-based, swift and flexible use is the major feature of this fund. Recipients of the fund will be NPOs which qualify under a strict set of eligibility criteria, and will be adminstered by the Japan NPO Center. The fund distribution will be managed by the Civil Society Initiative Fund, and administrative costs will account for less than 15% of donations.