From Japan with Love

Despite the tragedy occurring in her own country, a young Japanese woman still wanted to help those in need after the Christchurch earthquake.

Reimi Kinashi (26) of Ibaraki, Japan, heard about the 22 February earthquake in Christchurch after a phone call telling her a mutual friend was missing in the badly-damaged CTV building. Reimi’s sister has lived in New Zealand for 14 years and Reimi has visited many times. She has fond memories of the country, its people and of the city of Christchurch. ‘I always had [a] great time with Kiwi people who were so kind, friendly to us and they helped us when we had a problem,’ Reimi says. ‘That’s why I love New Zealand so much.’

She decided to raise funds to help those affected by the earthquake, but soon found that while it was easy to think about campaigning to raise funds, it was harder to ask strangers to give. Reimi rallied her friends and they helped her and gave her the encouragement she needed to continue in her fundraising efforts.

When Eastern Japan was struck by its own disastrous earthquake and a tsunami on 11 March, Reimi told her friends that they shouldn’t collect money anymore with so many Japanese people in need. They replied, ‘The New Zealand rescue team came to Japan for us even though they had a big disaster, too. We should help each other whenever we are in trouble.’

Reimi travelled to Christchurch this month as part of a working holiday. On 4 May, she presented a cheque for NZD $3478 to Major Clive Nicolson, Southern Divisional Commander, for The Salvation Army’s earthquake appeal. ‘I am sure that it is not nearly enough money to help all people in Christchurch,’ she said, ‘but I would like to tell you that all [the Japanese] people around me are wishing and cheering for Christchurch by doing this donation. I wish my deepest sympathy [at the] precious lives lost by the earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan.’ Major Nicolson expressed the Army’s gratitude for Reimi’s selfless generosity.

While in Christchurch, Reimi also took the opportunity to volunteer at The Salvation Army’s Linwood Community Ministries, which has been so busy in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Donate to the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’

• Freephone: 0800 53 00 00
• By Post: ‘The Salvation Army, PO Box 27 001 Marion Square, Wellington 6141, New Zealand’
• By Direct Credit: BNZ 02-0568-0091726-02
  
  • Please include your first and last name as a reference. For a receipt email
    Public Relations with your mailing address.
• Donate online

Please specify that your donation is for the ‘Canterbury Earthquake Appeal’