The Association for Aid and Relief (AAR) Japan has been working on projects in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures to promote the mental and physical health of the survivors of the March 11 disaster. One such event held last month was a baseball clinic held at the Higashihama Elementary School grounds with the help of two coaches from the Rakuten Golden Eagles, the Sendai-based professional baseball team. Participants included the elementary school students and teachers, the residents at the evacuation center being housed at the school, as well as other local residents. AAR also hosted a barbecue at the event.
The following week, AAR hosted an aromatherapy event for mothers. They brought 8 trained therapists to offer massages and aromatherapy treatment to help relieve stress and treat stress-related physical ailments. The school principal also received treatment and remarked, “This is the first time since the disaster that I’ve been able to forget everything and relax!”