We went to Taka's organic farm in Malanda, and we slept in a tent that we put up ourselves!
At night, the children were up late writing up reports and talking the night away.
Adults were also up til late talking about the project.
Ben and Mick, who drove us all the way here, made sure they had a good snooze for safety on the road.
Taka and Inge, who run this organic farm, have participated in Peace Walk long before the nuclear power plant accident occurred, and they have been walking around Australian uranium mine areas and nuclear power plants in Japan.
They've been supporting this project from the very beginning, and on this day, too, they were up til late thinking about this project.
They are amazing people and we are so blessed to have them!
At night, the children were up late writing up reports and talking the night away.
Adults were also up til late talking about the project.
Ben and Mick, who drove us all the way here, made sure they had a good snooze for safety on the road.
Taka and Inge, who run this organic farm, have participated in Peace Walk long before the nuclear power plant accident occurred, and they have been walking around Australian uranium mine areas and nuclear power plants in Japan.
They've been supporting this project from the very beginning, and on this day, too, they were up til late thinking about this project.
They are amazing people and we are so blessed to have them!
Time for sunrise...
It drizzled a bit at night but the morning was very refreshing.
Taka's farm also looks refreshing!
In the morning at about half past six, Sumire and Wakana tagged along Taka to experience harvesting some vegetable.
The forest here has never had their trees chopped off...
Taka explains carefully and they pick the vegetables.
When Taka participated in Peace Walk, he heard a talk by native American Indian man, and he shared that with us.
We need to act in the present keeping in mind how our actions today will impact on the generation after generation... up to seventh generations in the future.
For example, we mine uranium. We produce electricity using nuclear energy.
How does that impact on seventh generations following us? We need to act with that in mind.
That's what the native American Indian man shared with him.
That's what the native American Indian man shared with him.
Our actions today have big impact on tomorrow and the future ahead. That's why we need to act with that in mind.
Organic farm is a very broad category, and there are many schools of thought on it.
However, the ideas Frank at Eco banana has and the ideas Taka has on farming and human-nature relationships were basically exactly the same in spirit.
And to acknowledge that they both live out what they believe... it's truly amazing.
However, the ideas Frank at Eco banana has and the ideas Taka has on farming and human-nature relationships were basically exactly the same in spirit.
And to acknowledge that they both live out what they believe... it's truly amazing.
It was really amazing that what Taka talked about and what Frank talked about the day before at eco banana farm were the same!
We were all surprised by it.
We were all surprised by it.
There is no "good bug" and "bad bag".
They might be seen as "bad" from human beings' viewpoint because they feast on the produce.
However, every life is equal.
When the bugs that eat your produce come, we need to wait so that the bugs that eat those bugs will come, and then to wait for the birds that eat those bugs, and keep waiting until there is a good food chain cycle.
And when that comes about, we have an ecosystem that does not require pesticides and other chemical sprays.
And when that comes about, we have an ecosystem that does not require pesticides and other chemical sprays.
Of course, that will bring about situations where 20% of the produce will be eaten up.
But we need to remember that here is a forest, a river, and natural environment around it, and we have arrived in this environment at a later point in time.
We won't farm produce where more than 50% will be eaten up by bugs.
That's the way to grow vegetables and fruit among the natural environment.
It;s acknowledging that every life has a role to play.
It's recognising that it's important to draw out the strengths in all living things and seeking balance and harmon
Taka's words resonate in our hearts.
The purpose of plants is to reproduce so that there's always a "next generation".
Sumire and Wakana listen carefully to Taka,
Look at the beautiful vegetables made by Taka!
Next, we wash the vegetables we just picked.
While we were preparing the vegetables, it was time for Inge and the girls to go to school.
Photo time with everyone.
Thank you so much!
Eggs on toast for breakfast!
Eggs on toast for breakfast!
The breakfast the children prepared was very delicious!
The ingredients for breakfast and dinner have been generously donated by Taka and Inge's organic farm,
Thank you so much!
Packing up sleeping bags...
Thank you so much!
Packing up sleeping bags...
before departing from here.
Thank you for all that you've done for us!
We heard how the soap and chemical we use here all flow through to the Great Barrier Reef.
Therefore, when we were cooking, washing dishes and showering, we made sure we used
environmentally-friendly liquids.
Also, we heard that they live by using rain water, so we had to take quick showers.
They had opportunities to think about what they normally don't think about, which has been good for them,
We heard how the soap and chemical we use here all flow through to the Great Barrier Reef.
Therefore, when we were cooking, washing dishes and showering, we made sure we used
environmentally-friendly liquids.
Also, we heard that they live by using rain water, so we had to take quick showers.
They had opportunities to think about what they normally don't think about, which has been good for them,
Since their time at Cairns Tropical Zoo in Palm Cove, they have invited kindly children from Fukushima.
This year, they invited 8 children and escort from Japan.
This year, they invited 8 children and escort from Japan.
Thank you so much!
All eight children got to cuddle koala and were very happy!
All eight children got to cuddle koala and were very happy!
Feeding the wallabies
After this, we went to a store owned by an aboriginal person.
We got to hear his story...
We got to hear his story...
...heard him play the didgeridoo...
...We got to have a glimpse into and appreciate the aboriginal culture.
And we also went to The Little Green Soap Shop
http://www.butterflyshop.com.au
They welcomed us to drop in and have a look!
Such rich fragrances... we were all mesmerised.
The children share about their stories of Fukushima...
And they listened with care and sincerity...
And they listened with care and sincerity...
Yayoi and her husband, thank you for your kind and warm support!
We then head to Hayabusa, the Japanese sweets shop.
We are so thankful to Ben who has been placing donation box for Smile with Kids at his shop,
and also for always helping out at Japan Day of Hope.
We tasted the delicious sweets that had been pre-ordered.
Everyone was eating it, saying, 'oh it's so delicious!'
and also for always helping out at Japan Day of Hope.
We tasted the delicious sweets that had been pre-ordered.
Everyone was eating it, saying, 'oh it's so delicious!'
After enjoying the Japanese sweets, we heard from Ben and we also heard from the children about how they are feeling right now,
....And isn't that so true??
We also feel that children know many important things.
We also feel that children know many important things.
That's why in this project we always try to create more opportunities for children to speak, rather than adults.
Here are kids' diaries for this day:
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Takeda Wakana
What stood out for me today:
- What was striking: In the morning, Taka took us out to see his farm. I got to experience harvesting some green capsicum. It was great to hear his stories.
- What I felt grateful about: When we went to Kuranda, at various places (such as shops), I became aware that there are more people who are cheering us on.
Some reflections:
In the morning, we walked to Taka’s farm and he showed us around. He let us help him out with harvesting green capsicums. While picking the vegetables, Taka talked about how insects, plants, every living things are all connected, and that made me think about ecosystem and food chains.
I’m not a big fan of insects. However, from now on, if I see an insect, I decided not to make hasty assumptions that “this insect is good or bad for this because of that”, but to understand that every insects have a role to play in the wider ecosystem.
After listening to Frank’s stories at the banana farm and Taka’s stories, I thought that I need to have an attitude that values environmental sustainability, and to share that attitude with everyone else.
At Kuranda, since it was a tourist spot, there were many Japanese people. In various places that we went there, I was able to be see different ways of charity support.
It was great to meet people who support this program in their everyday life, and to hear their stories.
“I am going to tell more people about Fukushima”
“I don’t want these people’s support to go to waste”
These feelings are growing stronger each day in me.
I want to be able to better convey what I’m thinking and how I’m feeling.
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Mio Sagawa
What stood out for me:
Today, I saw koala and kangaroos in real life for the first time.
They were very adorable. I was surprised that we could feed the kangaroos and pat them.
Some reflections:
In the morning at the farm, after hearing Taka talk, I thought that it’s important to act with next generation in mind.
In order for the next generation to live their every day lives peacefully, our generation at present needs to start changing Fukushima.
when I cuddled koala bear, I felt that its claws hurt me a bit!
But it was really good to feed the kangaroos and meet aboriginal people as well.
At Ben’s Japanese sweets shop, I was really happy to be invited to taste some delicious ‘anmitsu’ (Japanese red beans sweet). I felt grateful that this shop had donation box dedicated to supporting this program.
Mizuki Nomura
The first real koala!!
The first real kangaroo!?
The first koala cuddling!!
The first time to visit soap shop!!
Found more kittens at my host’s. So cute.
Kokko was cute.
Blue butterfly was beautiful.
I’m sorry that I had a left behind.
I want to thank everyone like Ben, Nick and Ben...etc.
Thank you for such a enjoyable time, Taka, Inge, Naomi, Shizuki, Koharu. Thank you for the stories which were useful in our life. I’d like to follow their examples.
I was surprised by many animals that we don’t see in Japan like koala, kangaroo? (Wallaby?). I was very scared of many reptiles like crocodile.
It was good to shop as well.
Sumire Noda
Sumire Taka’s farm was impressive. He doesn’t use any chemicals but his vegetables looked nice and delicious. I was surprised that the koala was lighter than I expected. Ben’s Mitarashi-dango was delicious. We visited Taka’s farm in the morning. His words, “Our actions will affect future so I take actions by thinking up to 7 generations away.” really stood out in my memory. When you think that even little pieces can be lead to our future, there is nothing meaningless and always connected to somewhere.
I'd like to live keeping our 7 generations away in my mind from now on. Taka’s vegetable looked beautiful and taste delicious even he doesn’t use any chemicals!
Ben’s Japanese sweets reminded me of Japan and it was delicious.
Today, as I spent my time in Australia, I really felt that I am here today because of support from many people. In order to repay the kindness I received, I really want to cherish each moment of my remaining days here in Australia. After I go back to Japan, I want to share with everyone what I’ve learnt here about Fukushima and about the world.
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Sumire Kuge
What stood out for me today:
Today is the second day of camping and Taka took us out to his farm, and he told us many stories.
I thought it was interesting way of thinking about how we adapt ourselves to the existing natural environment, which was quite deep. I thought that nature is amazing.
Some reflections:
Today, we went to the farm and heard Taka’s talk. What was interesting was it was exactly the same as what Frank (banana farm) was saying. I thought that the relationship between human beings and the environment is something that we always need to be thinking about.
At Kuranda, seeing the animals like koalas was attractive, but what was more fascinating was the conversations at the Japanese sweets shop.
As I move on in my school year, I plan on moving out of Fukushima. That’s not because I don’t like Fukushima. It’s because I want to pursue my dream and see more of what the world has to offer. And this desire to go out and explore has further grown stronger after participating in this Cairns project. I feel that as I meet more people and interact with them, my worldview is expanding and becoming richer.
And I am proud of my homeland, Fukushima, and I want more people to know about Fukushima.
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Kohki Hisada
What stood out for me today:
- Koala’s nails are quite sharp -> I wondered whether koalas are herbivores or note...
Some reflections:
What was striking for me today was what Taka said today:
“Learn to think for yourself.”
After hearing this, I thought about the way I was thinking after the disaster. I thought about how I did not look up things to find out for myself; how I took for granted what my parents and other adults around me were saying.
In particular, when it comes to the problem of nuclear power plant accident, I used to think: “there is nothing I can do about it”. Because of this sense of helplessness, I used to think it was a waste of time to think about it.
However, after hearing Taka’s words, I understood that it’s still important to find out for yourself and think for yourself, even if my thinking has no direct impact on the outcome of problem solving.
I thought that I always want to have that consciousness of “having your own thought”.
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Mahiro Fukuda
What stood out for me today:
We went to Kuranda. It felt different from Cairns. It felt more laid back and mysterious.
I was surprised that Taka and Frank basically talked about the same thing, and that really surprised me. I thought that it’s important to maintain balance. They keyword is maintaining, because even if you achieve the right balance, it’s pointless if you can’t keep that balance. Therefore, it’s not just about protecting the environment, but about finding ways to sustain the environment that’s important.
Some reflections:
I cuddled a koala and it felt ‘warm'. lol.
It was the first time in a long while that I cuddled (something).
For me, that ‘warmth' is my family.
When I’m at my own home, it feels warm.
Yet, at the same time, I feel similar warmth from people here in Australia.
Everyone is so very kind. They care for us. I’m so moved.
Today, I got very tired, both physically and mentally… I don’t know why lol.
I want to rest well and have fun tomorrow at the sea! I need to charge my camera for that.
Also, I wasn’t able to put up my hand much. I felt that others should talk, too, and not just me, and that’s a bit tricky.
What was striking was meeting the family that runs the soap shop. I can’t quite put it into words. I felt that this person has different kind of aura; kind of ‘transparent’ and not stained in any colour. I felt that I want to be such a person.
In this trip, the people that will help me to change for the better are all the people that are involved in this program.
And I think the encounter with the family that runs the soap shop will be a big turning point for me.
And Ben (the driver) was hilarious, more than I expected. lol.
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Nana Maruyama
My
first koala cuddling... I was expecting that they might be smelly but
didn’t smell much. It was very warm and very cute. I was so happy with
this rare experience.
Long time no Japanese food and I enjoyed Mitarashi-Dango.
Taka and Inge from Malanda Farm made our day and we learnt to think for ourselves and take actions, and also to face to challenge willingly.
Long time no Japanese food and I enjoyed Mitarashi-Dango.
Taka and Inge from Malanda Farm made our day and we learnt to think for ourselves and take actions, and also to face to challenge willingly.
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