Healing Touch for Tsunami Children

The Latest News

• Photos and news of our Japanese Fund-Raising evening – a staggering £1,500! Plus article on the event in the Chichester Observer (Thursday 15th March 2012)
• Article in Chichester Observer (Thursday 9th February 2102) leads to support from organisations and individuals.
• List of our amazing sponsors and supporters here.

The Background Story

We were all so shocked by the terrifying pictures of the devastating earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan on March 2011. As the powerful Tsunami swept through the east coast  leaving a desolate trail of destruction, local people were forced to flee their homes, offices and schools. 14,728 people were killed and thousands are still missing.

Nearly a year later, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to volunteer to do something positive to help. In April 2012, I am planning to join a group of Japanese holistic therapists to set up and deliver a positive touch for children programme in kindergartens and schools in Rikuzentakata, Iwate, one of the cities hardest hit by the Tsunami. Of a population of 24,000 there are 2000 killed or missing.

My invitation comes from COCORO (The Japanese word for Mind) a charity set up by Japanese aromatherapist, Takiko Ando, to help heal emotional wounds through soothing massage and the therapeutic power of essential oils.

The benefits of Takiko’s work are remarkable.  Haunted by shock and fear, local people have lost loved ones, homes and possessions.  Conditioned by their culture not to burden others with their suffering, they experience recurring nightmares, depression and high anxiety levels. However, with calming massage, people begin to talk more openly about their grief and trauma, and say they sleep better and feel new hope for the future. Takiko is pictured above working in a temporary shelter.

Positive Touch for Tsunami Children 

In October 2011, Takiko asked for my help in developing Cocoro’s work with children as she had read my books Healing Touch for Children and Hand and Foot Massage and heard my speech at Camexpo . Takiko felt sure that positive touch for children could make a real difference.  Inspired by her dedication and request, I feel determined to do all I can to help her valuable initiative. Takiko has since trained to be an instructor on the Massage in Schools Programme and we are grateful for the support of MISA.

My aim is to share knowledge and experience with Cocoro therapists, local teachers and social workers to educate children and adults in supporting each other through nurturing touch. The benefits will continue long after we have left for the UK.

How you can help COCORO’s work

• One of our primary objectives is to raise awareness of the emotional problems faced by the victims of the Tsunami and to show the local people, especially the children, that they are not forgotten.  We will be taking out letters and pictures and returning with photographs, stories and messages to share with you. If you’d like to be involved then do please get in touch. I’ll be keeping my website updated with information, photos and links. Just click on the yellow post-it note on the home page.
• We aim to raise £3000 to set up and deliver the positive touch for children training programme so that the children continue to get benefits for many years to come.  We have set up a project account at the Nationwide Building Society. If you would like to make a donation please contact me.
• Several fund-raising activities are being organised and we are looking for prizes (large and small) for an auction, raffle and tombola to be held on March 10th, the anniversary weekend of the Tsunami. We are planning local publicity in Sussex plus extensive social media coverage for the project and we are happy to acknowledge your name/company. If you can donate a prize of any kind then please contact me.

Big Thank You to our Generous Supporters:

• Not So Sushi, Chichester
• Hills-Reed Hair and Beauty, Chichester
• L.W. Bettridge Builders, Chichester
• Chichester Copywriter
• K.E. Hilton and Associates, Chartered Structural Engineers, Bognor Regis
• Underwood Construction Ltd, Chichester
• Burton Property Ltd, Southampton
• IBuild Construction, Chichester
• Globe Estates Southern Ltd, Worthing
• Physio-Pod, DEEP OSCILLATION® therapy Active Healing for Fast Regeneration
• Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, West Sussex
• Hobbs Law Solicitors, Bognor Regis
• Southbourne Gymnastics Club, Southbourne
• Takumasa Ono, Japanese Artist
• Westgate Leisure Centre, Chichester
• The Japanese Shop, on-line store for all things Japanese
• Indulgent Moments Health and Beauty treatments and handmade jewellery
• Patrick Melard, Bognor Regis, French Lessons
• Wild Rose Florist, Chichester
• Richard Hales, Ukulele Junction, Chidham
• Sussex Petsitters, Doggie Day Care
• Cobnor Activities Centre, Chidham
• Chichester College
• Cico Publishers
• The Earl of March, Lavant
• Majestic Wine and Spirits, Chichester
• The Beau Experience, Chichester
• The Eternal Maker, Chichester
• Strawberry Clothing, Chichester
• Trents – Bar, Restaurant and Accommodation, Chichester
• Grazia Campolmi, Alexander Technique and Cranio-Sacral Therapy
• Lesley Brown Clinical Aromatherapy, Chichester
• The Vestry, Chichester
• Christina Wellbeloved Shiatsu, Chichester
• Between the Lines, Chichester
• The Sanctum, Chichester
• Boogaloo Children’s Shoes, Chichester
• Crystal Visions Holistic Therapies, Chichester
• Drift In Surf Cafe, East Wittering
• Hardcloud on-line surfing store
• Ann Beazer, Creative Life Workshops
• Lucy Armstrong Chocolates
• Vie at Home
• Dillyworm Crafts
• Champneys, Chichester
• JWS Photography, Chichester