Cairns Refreshment Camp 2018 Day 10: Goodbye to host families, goodbye to Cairns!

The refreshment camp came to an end, and it's now time for goodbye.
We've had heavy rain and road closures, but also days of sunshine and blue sky.
Everyday was full of new experiences.
And now it's time to depart from Cairns...

The host families have kindly dropped them off at the airport.

At the airport, we saw a familiar face come to say goodbye and give the children big hugs.
It turns out it was one of the staff of the Frankland Island Cruise!

This 24 years-old man had not known much about the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake,
and he heard about what the disaster was like for the first time through listening to children's speeches.
After hearing their stories, he said he had a lot to reflect on.

What a testimony of the power of the speeches that these children gave!

It so happens that he was coming to pick up his friend who was arriving in Cairns.
What a timing! The children were so happy to bump into him!

Smiles, smiles, smiles!

Holding on to precious memories... Hugs and goodbyes to host families until they will see each other again!

It was hard to leave, and they ended up hanging around the check-in area right until their boarding time.

So many people have played a part in making this refreshment camp happen.
So many people have thought there must be something we can do from Cairns to the children of Fukushima.
There are people who have contributed to this camp
even though they were not able to meet the children in person during the camp.
We know that the children have somehow felt the support they received from so many different people,

and they have expressed their thanks to everyone in Cairns!

Mahiro Fukuda

Thank you for the last 11 (sic.) days! Every day was so full of fun.

Having come to Cairns, I learnt that there are many perspectives on each fact. Everywhere I went, I seemed to have learnt about that, and I really relate to that point.

The most memorable [art of the trip was Tarzan Cafe. 

I love Masa…lol. He is so funny and so unique and I was able to have such wonderful time there.

Not just Masa, but I love everyone in Cairns! 

Everyone was so kind and warm and funny…

It was really, really hard to leave. But knowing that eight of us have been selected to come here, I feel compelled to share what we’ve learnt to people back in Japan. 

I’m thankful to have received support from twenty to thirty people and to have gained such amazing experiences. 

I will never forget about Cairns until I die!!

Please look forward to me growing up more and more lol.

I will go back to visit you all!

Thank you for the happy time the last 11 (sic.) days!

 
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Wakana Takeda

Dear supporters in Cairns

Since we arrived in Cairns, we met our supporters every day. As I talked to them face to face, I noticed that they were really nice people. I also realised that so many people supported us in many different ways. It was heart warming to be told “visit us again” and nice to see many supporters.

I’d like to thank every single supporters in Cairns. And one day, I’ll try my best to return your favor!! 

 

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Kohki Hisada

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Sumire Noda
 

To all supporters in Cairns

Thank you for welcoming us from Japan.

It was very good to experience something I’ll never be able to do in Japan.

We couldn’t have these 9 quality days without all support by many people. Thank you so much!

For me, uranium talk was the most memorable part. In Japan, it has been 7years since the disaster, people’s memories back then are fading out. Although, I was surprised that Australian people were still breaking their heart as they know that the uranium they produced took part of the problems for Fukushima people. I wonder why Japanese people don’t want to know deeply? I think we should never forget about this disaster so I’ll keep sharing what I learned in Australia both in Fukushima and Japan. And I wish we can connect to next generation and further.

Thank you so much for all 9days!!

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Sumire Kuge

To our supporters in Cairns

Thank you for these 9days.

At first, I was so nervous as it was first time for me to travel overseas. Although, everyone was really nice and I now I feel so lucky that I came to Cairns.

In this project, there were many opportunities to think about my dreams. At some point, I was really worried about my dream but I’m confident now as I listened to others. Thank you very much.

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Mizuki Nomura

To all supporters in Cairns

I’d like to thank people who paid our flights, made donations, helped in many different ways. Also we were invited to various places and farm to stay, offered sushi meal. Also my host family welcomed me as a family. Thank you all. Also thank you so much, other volunteers and people who thought about Fukushima.

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Mio Sagawa

To everyone in Cairns

I was a little nervous since it was my first trip abroad but the nervousness disappeared as everyone welcomed me warmly and I enjoyed everyday.

In Fukushima, I couldn’t play outside and couldn’t swim on the beach for a long time but I was so happy that I did them all in Australia!

I made it here with a lot of help. Thank you so much.

People in Australia are so nice and they are like my family. I will be able to get over anything by thinking about them when I’m sad or having hardship.

I shared about Fukushima with many people in Cairns. And now I’d like to share about Cairns in Fukushima.

It may be a bit by bit but I’ll change Fukushima to the place where we can cherish people’s life. Also I’d like to remind about the disaster for the kids in the next generation not to forget.

Thank you for the precious experience!!!

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Nana Maruyama

To everyone in Cairns

Every day was relaxing and fun for me as many people welcomed me even I don’t speak English much.

Thank you for inviting us to various places and organizing delicious food so much.

I’ll never forget this and want to share that so many supporters made this happened and we encountered many people.

Thank you so much.