Get the feedHow Can Your Family Help in Japan Relief Efforts
Monday, Mar 14th 2011
For Parents To Consider:
If you have young kids, it can be confusing to know how to navigate the news of disaster and tragedy. How much media should they see? Which images are helpful and which are too graphic?
G.K Chesteron believed in writing fairy tales for kids because they know about scary things, but need to see them "beaten".
While we are no way comparing the devastation in Japan to fairy tales, it's true that kids do intuitively know horrible things happen. No amount of sheltering will keep them from realizing this fact, especially when it comes to natural disasters and tragedies.
So, how can we provide security and at the same time expose children to the beauty of watching their fellow man come together to provide relief, mercy, and charity in the midst of devastation? We, as well as our children, need the regular reminder that bad does not ultimately win. The best case scenario is that our kids participate in some way -- and begin to believe that they, too, are being called into the mission (for life) of helping put things that are broken back together again.
We would love to hear our reader's thoughts on how to involve young children in this mission.
If you have young kids, it can be confusing to know how to navigate the news of disaster and tragedy. How much media should they see? Which images are helpful and which are too graphic?
G.K Chesteron believed in writing fairy tales for kids because they know about scary things, but need to see them "beaten".
While we are no way comparing the devastation in Japan to fairy tales, it's true that kids do intuitively know horrible things happen. No amount of sheltering will keep them from realizing this fact, especially when it comes to natural disasters and tragedies.
So, how can we provide security and at the same time expose children to the beauty of watching their fellow man come together to provide relief, mercy, and charity in the midst of devastation? We, as well as our children, need the regular reminder that bad does not ultimately win. The best case scenario is that our kids participate in some way -- and begin to believe that they, too, are being called into the mission (for life) of helping put things that are broken back together again.
We would love to hear our reader's thoughts on how to involve young children in this mission.
As the world is now fully aware, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake – now upgraded to 9.0 magnitude - struck near Japan's east coast on March 11, 2011, triggering a massive tsunami. Some media reports have indicated that this is the most powerful quake on record in Japan, and may be the fifth largest earthquake reported in the world since 1900. Media reports state that over 10,000 people died, more than 700 missing while 200,000 have evacuated while villages were washed away.
On Sunday evening, March 13 a WV assessment team arrived in Sendai and established a base of operations in a local church. Travel to the area was slowed considerably by the necessity to the use of secondary roads and very extensive lines for petrol. Although major highways continue to be closed the condition of secondary roads was surprisingly good.
“We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country’s history,” said Kenjiro Ban, World Vision’s Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager.
At present a World Vision assessment team continues to assess the impact and identify survivor’s immediate needs and will be distributing daily necessities, primarily non-food items, primarily for young children. As a child-focused organization, the psycho-social needs and protection of children are of our utmost concern and the use of “Child-friendly Spaces” are being seriously considered to assist child survivors and their parents.
We have all been touched by the devastation being experienced by Japanese families and invite all to take a moment and pray for those impacted by this disaster,” said Steve Haas, Vice President/Chief Catalyst for World Vision US. “Although Japan is an industrialized nation, there are many issues that will need attending to and the generosity of the American people is welcomed at this time.” In the wake of a disaster, World Vision is often one of the first organizations to begin relief work by distributing pre-positioned emergency supplies and sending highly-trained staff to assess and respond to the most urgent needs.
At SixSeeds, we frequently encourage families to roll up their sleeves and work side by side. This helps kids "get" helping others in ways that writing a check sometimes can't. However, sometimes disasters are so far away and so absolute that getting together and packing boxes of supplies would simply gum up the ever-precarious system. When asked about how families should help in this circumstance, the very best thing is to write a check to help the professional to get in quickly.
When we asked Steve about this, he agreed, "According to World Vision relief experts, cash donations are the best way to help survivors, as it allows help to be mobilized most efficiently.
The public can donate or learn more at worldvision.org or by calling 1.888.56.CHILD or text "4JAPAN" to 20222
Steve Haas
Steve Haas is the Chief Catalyst and a gifted spokesperson for World Vision’s worldwide humanitarian work.
Comments
by Peter Choo #
Thanks to Six Seeds and Steve Haas for informing us of what WV is doing in Japan and how we can contribute to and pray for that work of mercy.
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For Parents To Consider:
If you have young kids, it can be confusing to know how to navigate the news of disaster and tragedy. How much media should they see? Which images are helpful and which are too graphic?
G.K Chesteron believed in writing fairy tales for kids because they know about scary things, but need to see them "beaten".
While we are no way comparing the devastation in Japan to fairy tales, it's true that kids do intuitively know horrible things happen. No amount of sheltering will keep them from realizing this fact, especially when it comes to natural disasters and tragedies.
So, how can we provide security and at the same time expose children to the beauty of watching their fellow man come together to provide relief, mercy, and charity in the midst of devastation? We, as well as our children, need the regular reminder that bad does not ultimately win. The best case scenario is that our kids participate in some way -- and begin to believe that they, too, are being called into the mission (for life) of helping put things that are broken back together again.
We would love to hear our reader's thoughts on how to involve young children in this mission.
If you have young kids, it can be confusing to know how to navigate the news of disaster and tragedy. How much media should they see? Which images are helpful and which are too graphic?
G.K Chesteron believed in writing fairy tales for kids because they know about scary things, but need to see them "beaten".
While we are no way comparing the devastation in Japan to fairy tales, it's true that kids do intuitively know horrible things happen. No amount of sheltering will keep them from realizing this fact, especially when it comes to natural disasters and tragedies.
So, how can we provide security and at the same time expose children to the beauty of watching their fellow man come together to provide relief, mercy, and charity in the midst of devastation? We, as well as our children, need the regular reminder that bad does not ultimately win. The best case scenario is that our kids participate in some way -- and begin to believe that they, too, are being called into the mission (for life) of helping put things that are broken back together again.
We would love to hear our reader's thoughts on how to involve young children in this mission.
by Timothy Dalrymple #