Tsukuru-mura (The Creating Village)

Since 1980, we have been running a free school for children who cannot attend classes as a direct result of bullying and a day care center for elderly people. We hope to build a place for everyone from children to the elderly, and improve their well-being through educational and cultural activities.
We also built the House of Rouraishi1, which had been planned to operate as a day care center for elderly people in Higashimatsushima city.
The earthquake in March 2011 caused severe damage to the center, just a few weeks before it was granted permit to operate. The tsunami also flooded 1.5m above the first floor.
We spent over ¥40 million on the construction of the House of Rouraishi. Two thirds of this amount is bank loan. To make matters worse, the cost associated with the repairing of the first floor would be above ¥18 million.
Tsukuru-mura’s representative – Mr Ameya – declared “we will start over again no matter what happens.”
Please support our Tsukuru-mura.
※Rouraishi is a Chinese wise man well-known as a filial, piteous person.


2011.12.11　The House of Rouraishi opening party

TSUKURUMURA was heavily damaged by the Tsunami which was built for the elderly only last March.
We have rebuilt our establishment and named it “the House of Rouraishi”, to celebrate this we held an opening party on Dec 11th.
Many supporters joined the party and the 2nd floor was filled with tons of quests.
Staff shared their story with the guests about the hard times they went through just after the disaster, and they entertained them with 3 songs composed by Representative mr Ameya.
When Santa Claus showed up the party really came alive.

【At the party】

【Staff is singing】

The construction of the House of Rouraishi is finished, but the number of users that use the day service are still low, and since the nearest train station TOUNA is still closed, people can not take the train yet.
We will keep working hard towards finishing our establishment.


2011.10.28 The repair cost for Tsukurumura

To repair “the creating village” we needed 17,220,000 yen (215,250 USD) which we finally collected with subsidies and your generous donations.
“We could not make it without the warm support from all the people who donated money”, the whole staff of Tsukurumura is very grateful from the bottom of their hearts.
However, we are not on our feet just yet, all our old equipment has been lost or damaged by the Tsunami. We need a piano and a kiln for pottery for example, the list is endless.
In addition to that, we have to make up for the loss caused by the expenses of not being able to operate for six months. We reopened in October, though with the current number of guests and the income it is not enough to cover all expenses.
We collected money for the repair but still need your donation!
On the 22nd of October, the people in charge of CSR (corporate social responsibility) from various companies visited Tsukurumura under the sponsorship of the Tokyo-based group “The Disaster-stricken Area Collaboration Network”.

Mr. Ameya, the representative of Tsukurumura, talked eagerly to participants at the day-service home.

Mr.Ameya explained about Tsukurumura’s activities before and after the disaster, and then we all sang accompanied by a piano.
We hope we can meet more supporters through these activities. Please make a difference and support Tsukurumura!


2011.07.26 Music concert at temporary dwelling houses

Our facilities are currently under repair at this time.
Staff is also helping repair. We have painted the roof and have made a ramp for the entrance.


Painting the roof of Free School

We have also organized a concert which brought joy to people and made them smile.
With a little planning we will continue to perform at other shelters and temporary housing facilities.
We will continue playing our music in order to encourage our communities.


2011.09.30　Day service finally open on September 30th!

Day service for the elderly of Tsukurumura was supposed to open last April 2011, but it has been delayed six months because of the disaster. Construction was finished and furniture and equipments have been arranged.

【Staff at the new day service center】

“We are finally able to open the new day service because of many, many people’s support”, said the manager ms Tozawa, with a smile.
However, we have not collected 17,220,000 yen (215,250 USD approx.) for repair and have dept of about 30,000,000 yen (375,000 USD approx.) for the new construction. It is still not in the same condition as before the earthquake.
However, they will keep moving on, step by step.

【The beautiful view from the day service】


2011.07.06 Tsukurumara Staff helps with repair work

On the day the earthquake, the Tsunami came in from the canal of TOUNA.
Houses and cars drifted to the doorsteps of Tsukurumura.
Their equipment, such as a piano, a kiln and many other things were washed away and they also lost a car and a boat.
While big waves swallowed up many cars and houses, one after another, staff rescued a person who was almost swallowed by the muddy stream.
They had to stay a few days on the 2nd floor of ROURAISHI’s house with people who could not reach to the shelters.
When 3 months past, they still saw no prospect of the repair costs. However, they made up their mind to try what they can do and are repairing with volunteers and construction workers.
Since the people who used to live in this area have gradually been coming back, they received requests to reopen the day service for the elderly as soon as possible.
They need your support!