Send LOVE Project

We extend our sincerest condolences to the victims of the recent Kumamoto earthquake.

Send LOVE Project has begun to collect funds for its relief operation in Kumamoto. The collected funds will be sent directly to Send LOVE’s Kumamoto office assuring the judicious use of the funds to meet the needs of the victims.

Send LOVE Project was started in March 2011 as a non profit organization to conduct relief efforts for the victims of the great northeastern earthquake and tsunami.Centering around one of the hardest hit areas, the city of Rikuzentakata in Iwate prefecture, Send Love Project has been providing relief goods to the victims, operating a mobile cafe, and organizing kid’s events. Meanwhile, its music group, HEAVENESE toured the US under the aegis of the city of Rikuzentakata and Iwate prefecture to thank those who provided financial support.

One thing that has been learned from our previous relief efforts is that the needs of the victims change moment by moment and vary from place to place. Each evacuation center faces unique needs requiring clear discernment of those needs so they can be handled in a practical manner.

Moreover, long-term support is vital especially after the fad of volunteering right after the earthquake fades. The merits of relief efforts can be tested after most people’s concern for the victims has waned with the passing of time. On this premise, Send LOVE Project will continue to dedicate itself to providing long term relief.

For effective relief to take place, certain skills are required such as working alongside the people in the disaster stricken area, grasping the situation, and being sensitive to the needs of the victims. Therefore, we will work alongside Pastor Satoru Kamizono, who began relief efforts right after the earthquake in Kumamoto, and Ryubi Hikaru, an executive board member from Sakura Fukushikai, a welfare association. They both live in Kumamoto, so we will support the victims in Kumamoto by partnering financially with these two individuals to better enable them to meet the contextual needs of the victims in the most practical way.

Your support of Send Love Project Kumamoto would be greatly appreciated.

To donate please click the link below
http://www.japan-earthquake.jp/donate.html

April 19, 2016
Send LOVE Project Representative
HEAVENS Leader
Marre & Kumko Ishii
http://www.japan-earthquake.jp/main.html

 

「東久邇宮まごころ文化褒賞」を受賞

この度、HEAVENESEのリーダーMarre & Kumiko 夫妻が平成28年度春の「東久邇宮まごころ文化褒賞」を受賞し、
昨日、神保町の学士会館にて、授与式及び祝賀会が執り行われました。

この賞は、故「東久邇盛厚(ひがしくにのみやもりひろ)殿下」の

「ノーベル賞を百とるより、国民一人一人の小発明が大切だ。うまいみそ汁を考えた人には文化勲章を与えよ」

という理念と、その働きを故・豊澤豊雄名誉会に託されたことにより始まったもので、民間最高の栄誉の一つと言われいます。

この褒賞は、東久邇宮文化褒賞の中でも特に「まごころ」の働きに対して授与されるもので、毎年、春秋2回選出されます。
また、各回においてそれぞれのテーマが設定されていて、この春のテーマは「恩」でした。

これまでの石井夫婦の多岐にわたる活動に加え、HEAVENESEを通して日本精神を世界に発信する働きが、先祖への「恩」を返す「まごころの働き」と認定され受賞の栄誉にあづかることとなりました。

東久邇宮まごころ文化褒賞記念之会理事長をはじめ、理事会の皆様、
また、推薦者様、ならびに関係各位の皆様に、心より感謝するとともに、これまでHEAVENESEの活動を支援し続けて下さっている城内実衆議院議員を初め、後援名義を付与してくださっている外務省の関係各位の皆様方にも心より御礼申し上げます。

また、HEAVENESEの制作に携わって下さっている皆様、後援会の皆様、そして何よりもファンの皆様に心より感謝いたします。

授与式は、元日銀総裁福井俊彦氏の祝辞がのべられるなど厳粛な雰囲気の中、受賞者の受賞理由が読み上げられ、それぞれが壇上にて吉村靖弘東久邇宮記念会会長より授与されました。

授与式に続き行われた祝賀会では、受賞者及び来賓の皆様へのサプライズプレゼントとして、HEAVENESEが演奏させていただきました。

終戦直後に発足した東久邇宮内閣総理大臣とその功績についてMarreによるショートメッセージの後に「生まれる前にいた場所へ」を演奏いたしました。

10分に満たない時間でしたが、会場の皆様も真剣に耳を傾けてくださり、演奏後多くの方が「感銘した」と語りかけてくださいました。

私たちHEAVENESEは、東久邇宮まごころ文化褒賞の名に恥じることのないよう、益々精進してまいります。

今後とも、変わらぬご支援、またご指導のご鞭撻のほど、宜しくお願い申し上げます。

Marie &Kumiko, the front men of HEAVENESE received
the medal of culture in the name of His Imperial Highness Prince HIgashi-kuninomiya.
It is the non-goveonmential highest honor that one can be given among the people.
Awarding ceremony was conducted in solemn atmosphere.
This time total of 9 people were awarded but we were the only one chosen as a married couple.

Every year recipients are chosen in spring and fall and each time they have theme for the award.
This spring’s theme was “Indebted”.

One of the major reasons of wining this award is that HEAVENESE have been
recognized to be engaged in requiting activities provoking peoples gratitudes
to what has been given.

Calibration was held after the ceremony and HEAVENESE was honored to
participate to share the music.

We thank everyone who has been supporting us.
Kimchi Minoru, former vice foreign minister for faithfully supporting HEAVENESE.
Those who work for the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
All production staff and fans..
But most of all, we give thanks to great and loving God we serve.

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