Japan Ayukawa Project Hits the Press!

On May 12, 2012, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will release an article in Church News detailing the efforts of CIAO cadets in Ayukawa, Japan during their spring break 23-31 March 2012. We are so grateful to the Church's humanitarian arm, Mormon Helping Hands, for the worldwide relief they provide and their sponsorship of our project in Ayukawa last March.

The Church News article can be found below at:
http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/62323/Pure-religion-Thank-you.html


~ Ethan Salgado, Chief of Public Affairs, CIAO

Japanese Ambassador Thanks Cadets for their Service

Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki to the United States welcomed CIAO President, Bill Merkle -- a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy -- to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. for a formal expression of gratitude for the recent humanitarian service rendered by CIAO cadets this past March in Ayukawahama.

   

"What an amazing opportunity to meet the Ambassador of Japan! The embassy is a beautiful place, and I was hosted by Ambassador Fujisaki and his staff with such grace. We talked about the resiliency of the Japanese people along the Higashi-Matsushima coastline and the Ambassador's impressions of the U.S. military academies. He presented me with the Government of Japan Coin as a token of gratitude for our service."
~ Bill Merkle, President, CIAO

Japan Ayukawa Project a Success!

'U.S. Air Force Academy cadets spend Spring Break digging running water drains for the small town of Ayukawahama.' 

This tidal wave rose over 133 feet at certain heights -- that's taller than a 12-story building.

The Great East Japan Earthquake of March 11, 2011 devastated the northeastern coast of Japan's main island Honshu with 9.0 magnitude.  There are currently 15,854 reported deaths.  

While we were in Ayukawa-hama, or Ayukawa Coast, we had the opportunity to meet several amazing locals, who changed our lives as we tried to help theirs.  Akira, or "Sunny," is one of the local leaders in Ayukawa.  Our first day, he took us into a side room and showed us before and after photos of the town and the tsunami.  Emotions ran high and eyes welled as we gained a special connection to their community in that moment.  That connection translated to love and compassion as we worked our hardest to help the town of Ayukawa for the next 6 days.

The Oshika Peninsula. The "A" denotes the town of Ayukawa.

On March 11, 2011, approximately 4,000 people were swallowed by the tsunami along the Oshika Peninsula's coast.  Oshika Peninsula is Japan's closest point to the epicenter of the earthquake.  Ayukawa lost 12.4% of its 1,407 residential population that day. 

By Day 6 of working with Ayukawa's local leaders, CIAO cadets had cleared over 13 tons of sludge and debris from the town's water drains.

CIAO received financial support from our willing sponsor, "Mormon Helping Hands."  "Mormon Helping Hands" funded all of our in-country expenses from train travel fares to lodging and sustenance.  CIAO cadets paid from their own pockets to travel to Japan and back on commercial flights.

The list of our efforts the past 11 days:

1. 13.25 tons of debris and sludge moved from the Kyubun Coast
2. 392 meters of water drains cleared 
3. Cleared drain system for roadways in town for Ayukawa's 1,233 residents 
4. Cleared running water drains for the roughly 150 residents of the Kyubun Coast 
5. 363 total hours of labor

"What we accomplished in Japan pales in comparison to current large-scale relief efforts; however, our efforts have brought us closer to the people of Ayukawa and brought a greater sense of humility to members of the United States Air Force."

                                                                                 ~ Ethan Salgado, Chief of Public Affairs, CIAO  

Special Thanks

We would like to give a special thanks to Abe, Endo, Akira, Bruce & Sandra Webster, families of United States Forces Japan (USFJ), Nathan Frost, Lt Colonel Chris Gough, Major Jason Kirkland, Pres and Sis Siebach of the Tokyo South Stake, Pres and Sis Albrecht of the Japan Tokyo Mission, Elder Grames of the Presiding Bishopric's Office, our families and friends, and everyone that supported us to make this whole project possible.

Attention! Next Stop: Japan

CIAO is pleased to announce its official sponsorship from Mormon Helping Hands!  With the wake of the East Japan Great Earthquake exactly one year ago, we are very excited to announce that CIAO will be going to Japan to provide humanitarian aid in Ayukawahama, Ishinomaki-shi near Sendai.  The proposed dates of assistance will be 22 - 31 March 2012.

Message from the President ~ Welcome to CIAO!

Thank you everyone for your continued support!  You are helping CIAO do what we do best: helping others. We are dedicated to the global community.  If you have any questions about our organization, feel free to contact us at cadetsinactionoverseas@gmail.com.  ~ Bill Merkle, President and Founder, CIAO!