Live cheerfully, like sunflowers - Fukushima

ヒマワリの中心が自分の顔で、笑顔でいる。それを見て、みんなが笑顔になればいいと思う。　
"There is a smile in the middle of sunflowers. I think everyone smiles when they see them."

Yamato is 13 and lives in Fukushima

The writing on the picture is a haiku about the importance of living cheerfully, like sunflowers. Sunflowers have been planted in high radiation areas of Fukushima in an attempt to remove radiation from the soil, so they are becoming a symbol of regeneration.

Flying with dogs, Fukushima

空を飛んで雲に乗っている絵を描いた。犬も一緒に飛んでるよ。空を飛びたいなあ。　
"I painted a picture of flying on clouds. I am flying with dogs. I wish I could fly."

Kurumi is 7and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan.

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Kabutomushi and rhinocerous beetles, Fukushima

 カブトムシを捕まえたかったから絵で描いたよ。１匹はヘラクレスオオカブト、もう１匹はグラントオオカブトだよ。　　

Yu is aged 5 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The island of honey, Fukushima

 ハチミツをいっぱい舐めたくて、ハチミツの島を描いた。前はクマさんにハチミツをとられっちゃったから、今回はいっぱいハチミツがとれたらいいなあと思った。

Mizuki is 7 and lives in Sukagawa-shi, Fukushima, about 60km west of the nuclear disaster site.

Her situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Using the roped off swing, Fukushima

 

ブランコに乗って外で元気に遊びたいなあって思った。ブランコに乗るのは楽しいから好きだけど、今は外で遊べないから、ブランコの絵を描いた。ブランコに乗ると、風景がいつもと違ってキレイに見えるよ。

Hanako is 6 years old and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima. She felt very intensely about her picture and was very upset when she thought she had run out of time to finish it. Her friend helped her to finish it later.

Hanako's mother wrote these words (Japanese below):

"I live in Fukushima with my husband, 6 year old daughter and 1 year old son. The earthquake on March 11 caused the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and high levels of radiation have been leaking since then. We can still detect cesium in many areas around Fukushima.

Every morning, when my children leave home for school, I remind them to carry tissues, a handkerchief and a face mask. In the nursery school yard there are lots of sunflowers*. And there is a rope barrier around the climbing frames and slide to prevent the children playing with them.

Our family have decided to keep living in Fukushima even under these conditions. When people say "All mothers in Fukushima, be brave and evacuate from there!" I feel pain.  I just cannot make that decision because I read about Fukushima residents who evacuated to somewhere else and the children got bullied by local children. Also,
I can't help being concerned about work, money, and the stress that might be  caused by starting life in completely new place as a stranger.

However, there is a good side to remaining in Fukushima too.
I received 2 dozen bottles of water with the message "Please use it to make milk for your baby."  I also had a chance to meet people who really care about children in Fukushima. I am touched by the warm-heartedness of many people.

We all have no idea how Fukushima children’s health will be in the future. However, Fukushima children have infinite possibilities. We all believe that. My wish is that we adults lead children towards a great future shining with hope.

*grown to try and remove radiation from soil

今、私は福島市に住んでいます。
主人と６歳の女の子、１歳の男の子と住んでいます。
３月１１日の地震で、福島原発から高い放射能が漏れ、
いまだに福島市の多くの土地からセシュウムが検出されています。

朝、子どもが小学校に出かける時、
「ハンカチ、ティッシュ、マスク、持った〜」と言って送り出します。
保育所の庭では、ジャングルジム、滑り台にロープが張ってあり、
たくさんのヒマワリが咲いています。

我が家は、避難する事なく福島市に住み続ける事に決めました。
「福島のお母さん、勇気をだして避難して」と言われると
苦しくなります。
転校をした学校でいじめにあった記事を読んだり、
仕事の事、お金の事、新しい土地でのストレスを考えると、
どうしても．．．

でも、悪い事ばかりではありません。
「赤ちゃんのミルクに使ってね。」と２ダースの水が届いたり、
福島の子どもたちの事を真剣に考えてくれる人たちと出会えたり、
人の温かさに触れる事ができました。

これから、福島の子どもたちの健康がどうなるかは誰もわかりません。
けれども、福島の子どもたちの可能性は無限です。
それはみんな、わかっています。
子どもたちの未来がキラキラと輝けるものとなるように
私たち大人が導いていけたらと思っています。

The blue pool, Fukushima

もっと遊びたい。
"I want to play more."

Hiyato is 8 and lives in Fukushima City, Fukushima

His situation
The levels of radiation are so high that some parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all. They usually wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water.

Dark clouds of worry above the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactors

こおりやまでは、げんぱつがあってかなしいです。
"It’s sad for me that there are nuclear plants near Koriyama."

Naoya is 8 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima. 

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Waterfall discipline, Fukushima

 

たきにうたれて目をつぶって水をあびている所を書きました。きのう、川で低いたきでうたれていたから。ちょっといたかったけど気もちよかったです。
"I have drawn being hit by a water fall with my eyes closed. Yesterday I was hit by a small water fall in a river. I felt a little pain, but it was very refreshing for me."

Nouchi is 9 and lives in Motomiya, Fukushima. He experienced being under the waterfall in a summer respite camp.

His situation
The levels of radiation in his home area are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Moriyama is 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

The moment of splitting

わたしは、まきわりがたのしかったからこのえをかきました。とくに空とふうけいをたいせつにしようと思いました。
"It was fun for me to cut wood, that’s why I draw this picture. Seeing the sky and the view are important in this picture."
Otoha is 8 and lives in Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Fukushima child's flower shop dream

しょう来、お花屋さんになりたいから。ねがいたいゆめだから、えをかいた。こめらの森の近くのお花と、ルパンの家のまわりのさいているお花。
"I want to have my own flower shop in the future. This picture shows my dream. These flowers are growing near the children’s forest and Lupan’s house."
Hino, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

In the river, Fukushima

川は、たのしかったです。るぱんの川であそんだ、またいきたい　たのしかった。
"Yesterday we played in the river near Lupan’s house and had a good time. I want to go there again."
Mashiko, 7, Fukushima

Cutting the air: sword children

チャンバラで１かいあそんで見たら楽しかったから
"It was great fun for me to play with a wooden sword."
Itsuki, 7, Koriyama, Fukushima

Itsuki has drawn his friend playing at sword fighting with him during a summer camp designed to give children respite from high radiation areas

His situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.

Escaping Fukushima on a white rabbit

"I want to be smaller, and fly and ride a rabbit, because everyday I can’t go out much, and I don’t have the chance to touch a rabbit."

ちいさくなってうさぎといっしょにとんでおさんぽへいきたい。いつもさんぽへあまりいかないから、そしてうさぎをあんまりさわったときがないから。

Mitsuki, 8, Koriyama, Fukushima.

Another picture with Mitsuki

Her situation
The levels of radiation in Koriyama are so high that most parents and schools are not allowing children to play outside at all, even though soil has been removed from many school grounds. They wear long sleeves and face masks when outside, and avoid the rain. They try to be careful about food and water. Koriyama is a city of 340,000 people 60km west of Fukushima Daiichi.