Warming hearts, hands and feet

[AsahinaKimi]

As brutally cold weather continues in the areas worst hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, young volunteers are doing their best to warm the hearts and bodies of evacuees with massages and footbaths.

At an evacuation center in Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture, a dozen or so cheerful students and young people make up a "footbath squad," who give much-needed relaxation to those who either lost their homes in the tsunami or had to evacuate due to the nuclear crisis in Fukushima Prefecture

Around 500 evacuees from coastal areas are staying at the center, which is a public gymnasium. Snow is still piled up outside, and chilling gusts of wind blow through the building every time someone opens the door. Life is tough and full of uncertainties. Unsure of what the future holds for them, the evacuees are understandably anxious.

In a steamy corner of the gymnasium, however, the mood is light and playful. When the squad members announce that the footbath is ready, children, apparently bored by protracted refugee life, flock to the corner. Older people hesitantly follow to receive a 15-minute relaxing massage from the group.

http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201103260226.html

[Evolve_Already]

1. Way cool dat!

Been thinking a lot about a young woman in her early 30's whose parents live in Japan whom I befriended way back. Moved out of the area and frankly do not recall the spelling of her last name.

Safe thoughts for her and her family.

Be well Noriko!

[xchrom]

2. lovely. nt