Food for Life in Japan – Week 5

miyagi-5f — FFL Volunteer Madhu Mangala unloading fruits and vegetables from the FFL truck

Sunday, 15th May 2011 (Wataricho, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan) — Last Sunday was one of the biggest Food For Life relief efforts since the Tohoku Mega-Disaster in Japan. A sumptuous prasadam dinner was served to 980 people at three relief camps.

In addition, over 1000 kilograms of fruits and vegetables were provided for breakfast meals for 1,375 people over the next three days.

FFL Director of Japan, Shrikant Shah, said, “These results were possible through the tireless efforts of 41 volunteers from Food for Life, Agrawal Association Japan, Hindi Sabha, and the Tokyo Maheshwari Group who worked throughout the day and drove over 800 km in a convoy of 8 cars and one truck!”

miyagi-5-a — Vege Curries, rice, flatbread, salad, and a cookie

Shah also explained that the planning and coordination of these services have been enormous. “We start planning on the following Monday for the next Sunday effort. It requires a whole week of careful coordination and planning. We are especially thankful to Akhilesh Ji for his help in this regard.”

A told of six food stalls were set up at the three shelters. The dinner consisted of two hot vegetarian curries (Chickpea masala curry and Paneer masala curry), fresh salad, homemade Thepla (Masala-flatbreads), and a wholemeal cookie. To the delight of all, a special sachet of Organic Tulsi Ginger tea (Caffeine FREE) was served.

miyagi-5d — FFL Volunteers serving dinner

“The dinner was relished by everyone, and many requested for “O-kawari” (second helpings) of the curries,” explained volunteer coordinator Madhu Mangal.

In serving these delicious meals, Food for Life volunteers tries to be as sensitive to the feelings of the Japanese people, many of whom are still in a state of shock and depression. “We do our best to engage in positive conversations with them and also try to play with the children to uplift their spirits,” explained volunteer, Tapasvini Dasi.

Other volunteers included residents from Madhya Pradesh (MP), Ojima Indians, and Nishi Ojima Indians, who pitched enthusiastically to make the project successful.

miyagi-5e — Japanese children doing their homework at one of the many shelters.

Plan for coming weeks:

For the coming weekend (May 22)

The Kofu Indian Group has pledged 14 volunteers to serve meals to 770 people at three shelters and also distribute 1000 kg of fruits and vegetables.

The following week we plan to serve around 1350 people, for which we will need many volunteers.

Food for Life Japan is now aiming to provide these food services on a daily basis for as long as possible. “As long as funding and volunteer support is there then we can keep this up,” said Shah.

If you are interested in helping, we urge you to come forward now and help.

Photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/101068806464452734982/May15FoodForLife#

Fruits and Vegetables for 3-days of breakfast:

➢ ORANGE 600 PCS

➢ APPLE 600 PCS

➢ GRAPEFRUITS 600 PCS

➢ BANANA 1,000 PCS

➢ MIKAN 600 PCS

➢ KIWI 300 PCS

➢ MELON 56 PCS

➢ LETTUCE 100 PCS.

➢ CUCUMBER 30 KG

➢ SPINACH 100 PACKS

➢ TOMATO 720 PCS

➢ CAULIFLOWER 100 PCS

Paul Rodney Turner

Co-founded Food for Life Global in 1995, now known as Food Yoga International. He is a former monk, a keynote speaker, a veteran of the World Bank, social entrepreneur, holistic life coach, and the author of 6 books, including FOOD YOGA, and The 7 Maxims for Soul Happiness.

Mr. Turner has traveled to 72 countries over the last 40 years helping to establish Food Yoga projects, train volunteers, and spread the message of uniting the world with pure food.