An all encompassing facility that can provide the following:

1. Café

  • A relaxing environment for locals/friends to hang out, unwind and simply have fun.
  • A place where locals can talk about their needs (we will listen and connect to volunteers).
  • Local people can work and receive some income (アルバイト).
  • Self sustaining herb & vegetable garden (Medical Herbman Project – http://www.mhcp.jp/)
  • Continue to create better relationships w/ local people.
  • Bring new foods the people of Karakuwa have never had before (ie- Burritos, American BBQ)

2. Event Space

  • Art shows – showcasing/promoting local artists.
  • Live music – showcasing/promoting local artists.
  • A bridge to introduce foreign artists to locals.
  • Support local events/matsuri (ie – 牡蠣祭り、鱈祭り)
  • Special fun workshops w/ guest instructors (art, music, sports).

3. Education

  • Tutoring sessions for kids & high school students.
  • Help students for exam studies (受験勉強).
  • University student volunteers can offer specialized tutoring/advising about careers.
  • Connecting student volunteers to local schools as teacher’s aids.

4. Playgrounds

  • Provide space for local playgrounds for local kids.
  • Daycare facility.
  • “Playgrounds” for parents where they can have a cup of tea and unwind, as volunteers watch the kids.

5. Volunteer Facility

  • Act as a volunteer coordinating facility (ie – Gakuvo).
  • Connect/network other volunteer groups together.
  • Allow long term student volunteers (長期滞在).
  • Accommodations for volunteers.

6. Staff for Café/Management/Studio.

  • Brainstorm and figure out new needs.
  • Bridge local needs with foreign volunteer groups (foreign universities).
  • Handymen / quick jobs for older folk who cannot help themselves.

7. Revitalization – Design Studio / PR Center

  • Provide design solutions and new ideas for local businesses.
  • Karakuwa Web Store
    • Help push local businesses using new marketing techniques.
      • Internet sales
      • Social media
      • Viral marketing
    • Cut out the middle people to give a bigger cut to the local people.
    • Deal directly with the local people.
    • Market to new demographics and markets (international sales).
  • Spread Karakuwa/Kesennuma to the rest of the country, the world.
    • History of the region.
    • History of the local fishermen.
    • History of tsunami.
  • Create and sell products that showcase local history and businesses.
    • Products showcasing identity (ie- flags).
    • Stuffed animals / characters / keychains w/ local stories.
    • Animations that showcase local history/fishermen (YouTube).
  • KECKARA - Free paper
    • Publication to spread information/stories about Karakuwa.
    • Articles about the hopes and dreams of the local people.
    • Spread good stories of Karakuwa within Karakuwa.
    • Spread good stories of Karakuwa to the world.
    • Online translated English version – blog version.

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