Play space for children set up at Kumamoto quake shelter

A designated area for children to engage in play activities has been established at an evacuation shelter in Kumamoto Prefecture following a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck on July 28. The facility, located on the second floor of a gymnasium at a city-run junior high school in Yatsushiro, which sustained considerable damage from the earthquake, now serves as a recreational space for children of various ages.

Equipped with games and cardboard beds, the space has become a hub for children to socialize and partake in card games. One 15-year-old high school student expressed feeling a sense of normalcy while at the shelter, while another high school student noted an increase in smiles among residents. High school volunteers are stepping up to care for younger children at the shelter.

The play area was funded by Tokyo-based nonprofit Chance For All, which provided playing cards and board games after residents requested a designated space for children to unwind. Kanta Kojima, a 27-year-old member of the nonprofit, expressed concern for the psychological trauma experienced by children, noting instances of preschool and young elementary school children imitating earthquakes by knocking over building blocks and uttering phrases like "call an ambulance" and "give CPR."

Kojima emphasized the importance of play in helping children process their emotions, as they may find it challenging to articulate their feelings verbally. He stressed that while emergencies may limit time for play, it is even more crucial during such times. Despite the current subscription plan not permitting comments, the individual is encouraged to create a display name in their subscriber account profile to engage in future discussions.