Der Hilferuf der Zontians aus Fukushima blieb natürlich nicht unerhört. Nachfolgend der Bericht der Governor aus dem betroffenen Distrikt.

D26 Zontians are very grateful for the generosity shown from Zontians throughout the world and in Japan who have contributed so generously to the .2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake Relief Fund Zonta D26, set up in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami experienced in Japan in March 11,2011. To date US＄434,000（￥33,000,000） has been donated to the “2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake Relief Fund Zonta 26”. The fund is being managed by the District with a special committee set up to determine how the donations would be used.

I am delighted to advise that 45 % of the donations (US$197,000、￥15,000,000) have been used for a project called “Yamada-cho Zonta House”, This is a house in the town of Yamada-cho, run by women for the purposes of providing a calm and safe place for children to use for after school study. These children have lost their families or homes as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. This project meets our goal of using Zontians donations to support women and children affected by the tsunami and earthquake. The opening ceremony for the house was held on September 4th, 2011 with many D26 Zontians attending.

The Child Welfare Research Institute, is the organization responsible for the administering the project which is under the auspices of Professor Akemi Morita (the Department of Social Welfare in the School of Sociology at Toyo University). The 2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake Relief Fund Zonta 26 will fund the Yamada-cho Zonta House for 2 years.

In Yamada-cho many children lost their parents or houses and now live in the narrow provisional housing without a calm place where they can concentrate on their studies. This Zonta house will be used as an after school study hall for children. It will also provide employment for 4 local women who will support and care for the children while they are in the house. Many children are concerned that this disaster will adversely affect their schooling and their ability to achieve their dreams. A place to study will help them be able to realize their dreams. The children expressed their gratitude to us and said that they were very happy to have such a wonderful institution.

The opening of the House and Zonta’s role in its establishment, received considerable publicity on TV and other news media including national news. Other news media to pick up the story included IBC Iwate TV stations, Mainichi newspaper（one of the major newspapers in Japan, local newspapers and Internet reported too.

The remaining funds from the 2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake Relief Fund Zonta D26, will be used for the scholarships for female students attending nursing schools located in three disaster prefectures.

The 2011 Tohoku Pacific Earthquake Relief Fund Zonta D26” will be closed on December 25th , 2011.

District 26 Zontians would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the generous support received from within Japan and internationally. We were overwhelmed by the support we received from Zontians all over the world and are very grateful that we belong to such a supportive organization,