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Inishowen's Japanese families in
bid to help orphans
06.10.11
by Linda McGrory
A NUMBER of Japanese families living in Inishowen
are hoping people will support them as they try to
raise money on Saturday for children orphaned by the
earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster.
The families, who live in Buncrana, Burnfoot, Inch,
Muff and Newtown, say more than 100,000 people are
still displaced in Fukushima and a bitter winter is
on the way.
Junko Okura, who resides in Burnfoot with her
Derry-born husband Enrí Macaodh and their three
teenage children, is one of the organisers of the
first Japanese Autumn Festival in Derry's Craft
Village. Families of Japanese descent living in
Donegal, Derry and other parts of the North West are
all taking part in the event.
"We believe this will be the very first occasion in
the North West for the Japanese community to
introduce their culture in such a comprehensive
way," said Junko.
"We will show various aspects of our culture
including the traditional tea ceremony with Japanese
authentic tea set and an Origami workshop." |
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The Okura-Macaodh family from
Burnfoot pictured with their friend, Kyoko Hirooka. |
Enrí, who lived in
Japan for some 30 years, moved to Inishowen with his
family five years ago. The couple's eldest children
Clare (18) and Mícheál (16) go to Crana College in
Buncrana while Ciarán (13) is being educated at
home. Junko plays the traditional Japanese Taiko
drum and will be among the performers at Saturday’s
festival.
Visitors can also see Japanese traditional costume
at a Kimono fashion show and will even get a chance
to try one on. Japanese cuisine will also be on
offer.
Meanwhile, Yoriko Marshall, who is from Fukushima
but now lives in Carrickfergus, will report on what
she recently saw in her hometown more than six
months on from the tragedy.
All proceeds from the Japanese Autumn Festival 2011
will go to the Soma Orphan Scholarship Fund in
Fukushima. The orphanage helps children who lost
their parents, many of whom were fire fighters and
emergency rescue workers who died trying to save
others.
"Although almost seven months have passed since the
earthquake and tsunami occurred, more than 100,000
people are still displaced from their home and live
in shelters or temporary houses. No more than 50 per
cent of the rubble is cleared,” added Junko.
She invited people in the peninsula to go along and
experience a taste of their native culture. The
event at the Craft Village, Shipquay Street, will
take place on October 8, from 11.30am to 5pm and
admission is free. |
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