[Original by Mariko OMURA, Cambodia Project (March 15, 2018); Translated by M. Tang/J. Hills]
Good afternoon! This is Mariko Omura from Cambodia.
On March 11th 2018, a charity bazaar in aid of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This bazaar was organized by the famous Cambodia pepper maker, KURATA PEPPER, and sponsored by many well-known stores in Phnom Penh.
This time, we took the chance to donate the proceeds of this charity bazaar to JVC’s Kesennuma and Minamisoma Projects. On that day, I was in charge of a large panel exhibition booth, which was prepared by KURATA PEPPER.
JVC activities in Kesennuma and Minamisoma were presented on large panels!!
Visitor with enthusiasm.
The bazaar started at 9 o’clock in the morning, but the influx of people never stopped, and the exhibited restaurants were even sold out before noon! What’s more, a local, popular Italian restaurant even gifted us over-sized pizzas for lunch free of charge to help with the event! The concept was that visitors could donate any amount of money they wished via the donation box, and then they could enjoy the food. Of course, this money was also donated. “We are only doing what we can do from afar.” Mr. Kurata (KURATA PEPPER owner) said. Mr. Kurata, as well as every other sponsor who made an appearance on that day were such great people full of enthusiasm.
People were enjoying shopping under the refreshing blue sky.
The charity pizza arrived at lunchtime!!
During the day, a many people stopped by the exhibition booth. “Because it is not easy to take action from Cambodia,” they asked many questions about the current situation with such intrigue. Despite being abroad, they’re still thinking about Japan. Once again, I learned from these people. I was told by visitors that, at the time of the disaster in 2011, a number of Cambodian people visited the Japanese embassy in Cambodia, entered their names in a book to show their condolences, and made donations.
Crowed exhibition booth.
The amount of money earned from the event totaled 547 US dollars. The money raised will be used to benefit the JVC’s Kesennuma and Minamisoma Projects. It has been 7 years since the earthquake, and even though many difficulties have been overcome, there is still a large number of people who are not able to rebuild their lives following the disaster. JVC will continue to cooperate with the relevant administrative bodies as well as local organizations to support these people with the hope that they will one day be able to live with peace of mind.
Many thanks to the organizer, exhibitors, and everyone else who joined us on that day! I, myself, regret that I am not always able to take part in as many as activities as I would like to. For this reason, I am so glad to be able to participate in this valuable opportunity. Finally, I would like to end this field report by introducing a message from Mr. Taniyama JVC’s President on March 11th.
Received donation from the KURATA PEPPER owner, Mr. Kurata!!
