My name is Steve Johnson and I am a teacher from St.Albert, Alberta. I was living and teaching in Japan for the past 8 years and returned to Canada several months before the disaster caused by the earthquake and tsunami hit.
The disaster in Japan on March 11th has been a shock for people worldwide, for Canadians, and especially for those who have ties to Japan. Upon hearing about the extent of the devastation, I felt a deep sadness for all the people in Japan who have been affected directly as well as indirectly by this tragedy. My wife and I are not from the area affected by the disaster, but we find ourselves amongst a group of people who are, strangely, unaffected yet affected. We don’t have any direct connection to anyone from that area, but it troubles us just the same that the people of a country so dear to us, a people who have treated me and my family with such kindness and hospitality over the years, should be in distress. I wanted to do something…
I think as Canadians, we have a special capacity for genuine sympathy towards such global causes, and that’s a big part of what makes us proud to be Canadian. Now, as news about the disaster and the relief efforts slowly fade from the headlines, for all those affected by this event – the story if far from over.
Today I begin a 38 day charitable walk covering the distance from the Edmonton Japanese Community Association Center here, to their counterpart in Vancouver. I will cover the distance by walking in cumulative legs, selected along the general area of the route, allowing for safety as well as flexibility as we seek opportunities to meet with groups in communities along the way. Through this event I hope to encourage and provide insight, further understanding and a deepened perspective regarding the Disaster in Japan by seeking opportunities to meet with groups in communities in the general vicinity of the route. I have prepared an educational, insightful, and motivational presentation and some activities that are suitable for audiences of all ages. We ask for your help as we reach out to any community group interested in learning more about Japan (such as Girl Guides, Boy Scouts, school groups, church groups, senior homes…anyone!).
Our goal is also to refocus public attention back onto Japan disaster relief, especially now as the story in Japan fades from the headlines and from the general public’s consciousness. In doing so, I aim to ignite and inspire the compassionate and sympathetic nature of all Canadians, as well as the people of Japan. I want to send a loud and resonating message to all those still trying to cope with the continuing aftermath of the disaster: Stay Strong Japan: Gambaro!
This is a walk for a cause, a message in motion, a dedication walk and traveling talk, a pilgrimage of sorts. Whatever you call it, the name of the event represents its purpose: “Gambaro Japan!”, meaning “We’re with you! Stay Strong, Japan!”.
Ultimately, my hope is that a message is sent out from this country and from countries around the world that says loud and clear: we are with you Japan! I believe that along with donations and disaster relief efforts, what Japan needs most, is for the world to say, for Canada to say, “Gambaro!! Japan!”(Stay Strong). Not a message that they need to endure more, but rather that they receive a message of hope. What they need most is to hear from the world an echo of their resiliency and their bravery in the face of adversity, our sympathy for their hardship as well as our admiration for how they are dealing with it…and to make sure they know that despite our cultural differences, in spite of their solitude as an island nation, we are interconnected with them as they are with us! Through our actions, our donations, our sentiments, the people of Japan who are struggling to overcome these difficult times and the challenges that lie ahead will do so with the knowledge that we care: we want to help and our thoughts, understanding and best wishes, as well as our donations, are with them! This sentiment is fully embodied in the Japanese word “Gambaro-“ and, as such, is the name of this event: Gambaro JAPAN!
As I set out on the inaugural leg of my journey, I invite all those who would like to join me as we walk down into the ravine here to feel free to do so.
In closing, I want to point out that our friend Yuki-san is here today with great wristbands available with a 5 dollar donation to Red Cross.
Other than that, we will not be collecting donations directly, although we encourage
people to consider making donations to Red Cross and other organizations which are listed on our event blog. Walkforjapan.blogspot.com
THANK YOU!!!
今日は来てくださってありがとうございます！
私の名前はSteve Johnsonです。アルバータ州のセイントアルバートで教師をしています。私は8年間日本で教師として暮らしていましたが、東北地方大地震、津波が起きる数か月前にカナダに戻ってきました。
3月11日に日本で起きた大地震は、世界中の人々に、カナダの人々に、そして、特に日本につながりがある人たちに大きな衝撃を与えました。この惨害の広がりを聞き、日本で直接被害に遭った人、間接的に被害に遭った人も全てのみなさんに対して非常に深い悲しみを感じました。私と妻が日本で住んでいた地域は被災地である東北地方ではありませんでしたが、精神的にひどくショックを受けました。私たちは、東北地域には直接的な知り合いはいませんが、私に本当に良くしてくれた国の人々、私の家族が来日した時にも親切で素晴らしいもてなしの心で迎えてくれた国の人々が被害に苦しんでいると思うと胸が痛みます。何かしたい・・・私はそう思いました。
私はカナダ人として、カナダ人は日本の大地震のような世界的な出来事に心からの同情を向けることができる特別な力があるように思いますし、それがカナダ人として誇りに思える大きな部分だと思います。今、あたかもこの事が終わったかのように、日本の大震災や復興支援についてのニュースはヘッドラインから少しずつ消えていっています。
今日、私はここthe Edmonton Japanese Community Associationからバンク―バーまで38日間のチャリティー・ウォークを始めます。このウォークでは、基本ルートにできるだけ沿いながら近くの交通量の少ない道や行く先々の街にあるウォーキングコースなどを歩きます。そのことで道中にあるコミュニティーグループに会う機会を得る柔軟さと安全性の両方が確保できると考えています。私はこのイベントを通して、各地域にある多くのグループに会って、
つづく・・・
