Monday, February 6, 2012

AFJ meets iLEAP!

Artists for Japan Welcomes iLEAP &  2012 Japanese Delegates, Social Innovators 
and Leaders of Non-Profit Organizations in Japan- text Linda Ando/photos Sean Frego

On Monday, January 16th, Artists for Japan hosted iLEAP and 9 Japanese delegates at Kobo at Higo as part of their community engagement program. They were interested to learn more about AFJ, a community based volunteer organization and our efforts to raise funds and coordinate projects to help with Japan Relief Efforts. 

We coordinated a neighborhood tour which the delegates were deeply moved by the passion and love for the Japanese culture, history and people.  

ID Neighborhood Tour
• Historic tour at the Panama Hotel and Sento by the one and only Ms. Jan Johnson
• Green tour of Danny Woo Gardens & Maynard Green Street Project by InterIM      
   Development Agency staff, Leslie Morishita & Rie
• KOBO at Higo, AFJ's home base - thank you Binko, John & Paul Murakami. 







We shared AFJ's activities since March 2011 and continuing with the support of the community in Seattle & Washington. AFJ and friends cooked up a feast to warmly welcome our new Japanese friends to our community. Our goal was to learn more about their NPO's and share AFJ's activities to support rebuilding efforts in Japan and find ways to collaborate. The delegates were deeply moved by the Japanese American history and how we remain so connected to Japan.



We were so touched by the amazing work and spirit of these young social innovators and leaders in Japan. They inspired us with their HOPE and determination to make a difference 
in rebuilding Japan. New friendships and partnerships were born from this gathering.



Check out the profiles of the Japanese delegates from the first & second cohorts, Sayonara video by delegates and i4Japan link which invites you to support their great work. 

We look forward to seeing you at the 3.10.12 "Sunset Vigil" Memorial of HOPE for Tohoku, Japan at Golden Gardens Park Beach, 5pm-6:30pm. More info coming soon.

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