Second Amway Community House Dedicated in Japan Since Quake

One nail and one stick of lumber at a time, Amway continues to help re-build areas of Japan devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 15,000 and left thousands more homeless and without hope.

Just several weeks ago, during a moving ceremony attended by government officials and Amway Business Owners, a second Amway Community House was dedicated to the people of Soma City in the Fukushima Prefecture.

The house, which will be operated by the non-profit organization Soma Hotokusha, is part of the Remember HOPE project, founded with the aim of constructing as many as a dozen community homes in areas ravaged by the 9.0 earthquake that then triggered a deadly tsunami.

The Soma City house is especially significant, since it is located very close to counties that are still polluted by radiation that leaked from the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.

Dignitaries who attended the dedication included the mayor of Soma City, the ambassador for Remember HOPE, members of the U.S. Embassy, media, residents – and Amway distributors who participated in the construction effort.

As part of the ceremony, volunteers planted 20 dogwood trees donated by the US government, to reciprocate for the donation of Sakura trees sent to the US 100 years ago.

The first Amway Community House debuted in the Tokohu district, and like the house just finished in Soma City, it functions as a hub for children and families affected by the 2011 tragedy.

At Amway, we’re always grateful for the opportunity to serve others, and we’re especially hopeful that this ongoing initiative will continue to use our hands to bind the hearts of communities in Japan.

Thanks to Kafuu Toh and Taku Yoshino for sharing this story.