November 19, 2017 @ Tohoku Fukushi University H o s t e d B y ： Support Our Kids Committee Co-hosted By：Tohoku Fukushi Univeristy Objective/HABATAKI 【OBJECTIVE】 Thank you for participating in the 6th Support Our Kids REUNION, and to your continuous cooperation and support to the Support Our Kids project. The Support Our Kids project is a 10-year project, which aims to support the independence of children affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and nurture them into future reconstruction leaders of the next generation. With the cooperation of Embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we offer an homestay program funded through charity activities and projects. Following a charity rugby event with Dan Carter in 2016, Richie McCaw came to Japan and offered his support through rugby clinics, talk shows and an auction party in Tohoku and Tokyo. We successfully implemented the homestay programs with the tremendous support we received from these charity events. Today, the 33 participants will present their experiences abroad, on stage. Alumni of the program will also speak about current reconstruction activities and efforts to fulfillマスター their dreams. タイトルの書 Additionally, 4 participants will perform a special live performance, as a way to say thank you to their supporters. I hope you will enjoy the presentations and performances they have prepared for today. 式設定 Finally, it is with deep regret that I announce the death of Yukiatsu Akizawa, former General Secretary and Founder of Support Our Kids, on September 11. On behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to offer our deep condolences to his beloved family. “Support Our Kids” will continue to support the children of Tohoku, and continue Yukiatsu Akizawa’s desire and goals to nurture future reconstruction leaders. We kindly ask for your continuous support to the children of Tohoku. November 19, 2017 Ian Kennedy Support Our Kids Executive Committee Honorary Chairman （Former Ambassador of New Zealand to Japan） 【What is HABATAKI?】 The Reunion was organized to make a stage for kids to grow and shine. Upon asking the students to help and suggest a name for this event, New Zealand program participant Saki Ito suggested “HABATAKI”. Habataki in Japanese means to flap or flutter one’s wings. She said, “We were able to fly our wings because of the support of many. From now on, we will fly on our own and repay the kindness and support we received.” 2019/10/28 2 SUMMARY/PROGRAM 【SUMMARY】 Date: November 19, 2017 (Sun) 12:30～16:00 Venue: Tohoku Fukushi University, Keyaki Hall Hosted By: Support Our Kids Committee Co-hosted By: Tohoku Fukushi University Participants: 170 【PROGRAM】 12:00 Reception 12:30 Opening / MC: Junko Akisawa （TBS Announcer） マスター・Opening remarks H.E. Anneタイトルの書 Barrington （Ambassador of Ireland to Japan / Support Our Kids Executive Committee Chairman） ・Opening speech Nanami Miura 式設定（Reunion 2017 Student Committee） 13:00 Part 1 KAGAYAKI Homestay Presentations France/Ireland/Australia/New Zealand/Canada 14:30 Part 2 HABATAKI “Yume no Jitsugen” (Dreams) ① Tohoku×Kumamoto Fukko no Wa Project HABATAKI Project Member: Yuka Sakurai （USA２０１４） ② Interview Session “My Dream” Yui Yoneyama （USA 2013）、Aya Koganezawa （USA2012） & Atsuno Oikawa （USA 2016） ③ HABATAKI LIVE Yuka Onodera （NZ 2014）、Reika Sato （CAN 2014） Hikari Suda（NZ 2015）、Kanon Kumagai（CAN 2017） 15:35 Part 3 Special Live Performance Taro Masuda （Violinist） 15:50 Closing Closing Speech Takuya Hidetake （Reunion 2017 Student Committee） 16:00 After-party （Fudo Cafeteria） 18:00 END ※Honorary titles are omitted 2019/10/28 3 KAGAYAKI ～ Homestay Presentations Presentations by the participants of the 2017 Homestay Program. All 33 participants presented the different experiences, hardships, and discoveries they had during the program. Their growth not only as individuals but also a group was apparent. We, as a group, decided our team goal to become a bridge between France and Japan. We chose ‘Pont’, which is bridge in France, as part of our group name and constantly kept this in our mind as we went through the program. Our first disaster presentation didn’t go well. We figured that we never thought about it from the audience’s point of view. France had very little experience with earthquakes, and it was difficult for them to understand the point of our presentation. After this realization, we changed our presentation and was a success the second time. We learned a valuable lesson, to always think from others’ point of view. It was also satisfying to be able to share our experiences during the disaster, abroad. We also learned the importance of taking action, as one way to become independent adults. We each have our own different マスター タイトルの書dreams, but we will never forget our lessons during this trip and continue to pursue and challenge. 式設定Our group name is “Discovering a new hero in me”. Our objective during the program was to find a hero, within ourselves, and what was necessary to do so. In Ireland, we met many heroes who helped us with this objective. We experienced unconditional kindness in Ireland. From this, I learned that you show and give kindness not only as a return or favor, but constantly and unconditionally. Through the kindness people showed during our disaster presentation, they also helped us become confident. We met heroes who were actively challenging outside their home country. This became an inspiration for us to become adults who actively take part in and outside of our home country. From now on, we will active participate in SOK activities, and not only leave our experiences in Ireland as a memory. Thanks a million! We decided on the group name “Kizuna” (ties), because we wanted to keep strong ties even after the program, as team members and to all who we meet in Australia. Just as our team name, each member respected each other, and were very cooperative when we came across hardships. As future leaders, we learned the importance of effort and cooperation. It was difficult communicating in a language we weren’t used to, but as we kept on trying, we felt less afraid and more confident, which helped us get our point across during our disaster presentations. This experience has become a memorable treasure for us. Thank you to all those who supported us, and will become leaders of the future. 2019/10/28 4 KAGAYAKI ～ Homestay Presentations I was very nervous and had many worries prior to the homestay program. Because of this, I had trouble communicating, but everyone in New Zealand was very kind and supporting which helped me become more focused and determined. We were also very lucky to have met Richie McCaw once again, and were able to speak about the disasters we both experienced. All the worries I had before the program turned into confidence, after our two week experience. It has definitely become a starting point to determine our goals and to achieve it. This time, I believe is our turn to support others, as a way to show our appreciation and to repay the support you gave us. Despite the language barrier we experienced especially during summer camp, everyone welcomed us warmly マスター タイトルの書with open arms. It was then I strongly learned to open my heart to everyone, despite our nationality. I also felt warmth with my host family, as they listened to my worries. They taught me to believe in myself and have 式設定confidence in who I am, which helped me a lot. From now on, I want to spend my life confidently, and to always embrace my individuality. Through this program, I learned that only a little courage can help with actions. That even though with language barriers, efforts to communicate was enough to help get the message across. This experience will forever be my treasure, and will use keep it as I chase my future dreams. ◆Video Messages from Supporters! Racing Driver EMERALD Canada Embassy Singer Former ALL BLACKS Mr. Yojiro Terada & Ms Diana and Mr. David Ms. Christine Callahan Ayaka Hirahara Mr. Richie McCaw Mrs. Yuko Terada Former Ireland Ambassador Ambassador of New Zealand Former Ambassador of NZ Former Coach of Boston Red Sox Australia-Japan Mr. and Mrs John Neary H.E. Stephen Payton Mr. Ian Kennedy Mr. Bobby Valentine Foundation Mr. Murray McLean 2019/10/28 5 HABATAKI ～ “Yume no Jitsugen” (Dreams) Project reports by former participants of the program. As future reconstruction leaders, formers participants are actively organizing their own reconstruction projects, and pursuing their own dreams. ◆「Tohoku×Kumamoto Fukko no Wa」 Project HABATAKI Members organized a second Tohoku x Kumamoto Fukko no Wa Project, which was successfully implemented on August 3 ~ August 9. The project was started from their desire to support others, as a way to thank their supporters for the support they received. The program was set in Onagawa, Miyagi and invited 6 students from Kumamoto to discuss reconstruction of both disaster affected areas. HABATAKI Project Member Yuka Sakurai （US 2014） Similar to last year, we invited students who experienced the Kumamoto Earthquake to Tohoku. Unlike the first time, preparations were smoother and we were very excited as the first one was very successful. I realized how fulfilling and マスターworthwhileタイトルの書 it was to work on this project, as I felt that we were able to repay somehow, after participating in the SOK project. This time, I am determined to make HABATAKI, an organization that is fulfilling and worthwhile for everyone. We now have 33 new SOK members, and hope式設定 we can all be connected through HABATAKI. ◆Interview Session 「My Dream｣ Through the homestay program, participants have been able to determine their dreams, and are moving forward to fulfill it. With Miyu Sato, former participant, as MC, three representatives spoke about how the homestay program inspired them and had encouraging messages to their younger SOK members.