Appreciation for the Indonesia Earthquake Donation
On behalf of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo, I would like to thank you for your donation for the rehabilitation of Padang dojo in Indonesia. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to collect 1,200,000 yen in total, from more than 500 people.
At the beginning, we started to collect donation for the people in Padang to rehabilitate the dojo. However, later we found out that the chief instructor of Padang dojo, Mr. Tomiyono, was killed by the earthquake. Therefore, we decided to give 400,000 yen to Mrs. Tomiyono, and the rest, 800,000 yen to Padang dojo for their rehabilitation efforts.
The donation was presented at the Aikido seminar held at the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta, on November 29, 2009. Before the seminar started, we held the ceremony. More than 300 people were there and, when I announced that this donation came not only from Japan, but from all over the world, the gymnasium was filled with a storm of applause. Then, I handed the donation to the widow, Mrs. Nel Tomiyono, and the current representative of Padang dojo, Mr. Mayzalyan.
Mrs. Tomiyono said, “Thank you for everything, sensei. Please send my regards to everyone.” Mr. Mayzalyan strongly said, “I will cherish the will of Mr. Tomiyono and make best efforts for the future.” I, then, as a return, received a commemorative shield from Mr. Muri of Takiotoshi Nagare Budokan which Padang dojo belongs to.
- Detailed photo of the ceremony
- Donation ceremony
On this opportunity, we would like to start deepening the relationship with Indonesia. We have a plan to visit Indonesia as a group in 2011. We hope that we will be able to establish cordial relationship among members by having aikido practices together. You are welcomed to participate.
Again, thank you very much for your generous support.
Hiroaki Kobayashi
Fuku-Dojocho
Aikido Kobayashi Dojo
