To Our Japanese Friends

To Our Dear Friends in Japan,

All of us at Cultural Homestay International, tens of thousands of host families, coordinators, managers and directors, are devastated by the catastrophic earthquake, and the lethal tsunami that struck Northeast Japan. We  know that many of you were not affected by the shaking and the high water, but all of you must be  absolutely terrified, as are we, for all the Japanese people who are suffering and even dying. All of us are so moved that we watch over and over again the terrible pandemonium of the moving waters, floating cars, and destroyed houses. Then there are fires, exploding nuclear reactors, and an unimaginable wreckage.  We are overwhelmed by the silence now. Where are the people? Where are the survivors? Who is unaccounted for? Are there enough rescue workers? They are working too hard, valiantly trying to cope with their own feelings. They are rescuing people and building shelters. They are walking with long sticks, looking for the missing.

We, who have grown to love our Japanese students who have visited our homes and connected to our families in friendship and love will never be the same. We will never forget you, each and every one. We are with you in our hearts and in our memories. We recall our laughter together and our hugs. Please know that you filled our hearts and our homes with your sweetness, your goodness, and your courage. You came, so young, trying so very hard to speak our language, trying to understand us and blend with us. That is why today we are suffering along with you. That is what happens when people learn to connect with one another right in their homes. That was always the purpose of our organization (CHI) and now we can feel your pain, your anguish, your  fear, and your sadness as if it were our own.

All of CHI sends you our support. We will make a donation to your Red Cross through our organization in the hope that we can contribute, albeit in a small measure, to help ease some of the suffering.  We have hosted you for over 30 years here at Cultural Homestay International. We have never forgotten you nor will we ever forget you. Please stay strong and stay well until we meet again someday.

Love,

Lilka and Tom Areton

Directors of CHI

The TC’s, the AC’s,  the AA’s, the APA’s, and all the staff,

and all the Host Families