On April 13, the International Network for Mutual Help, based in Tenrikyo Overseas Department, held its annual charity bazaar on the department\u2019s premises, drawing around 1,200 people. \tThe network collects and provides information on international aid in cooperation with Tenrikyo\u2019s overseas mission facilities and various groups of followers engaged in international relief activities. The network has also undertaken support activities; for example, it sent donations for earthquake victims in New Zealand, Turkey, and Thailand in 2011, and for flood victims in the Philippines in November last year. <\/p>\n
The charity bazaar has annually taken place over the past 18 years in order to support the network\u2019s relief activities. In preparation for the bazaar, the network had appealed for donations of goods starting in January. As a result, over 5,000 items, including furniture, home appliances, household products, and clothes were donated both by followers and non-followers. Especially this year, many pieces of furniture were donated, totaling about 300 items\u20141.5 times as many as the previous year. <\/p>\n
The venue\u2019s doors were opened at 11:00 A.M. A long line of over 400 visitors had already formed outside the gate. The first in line was a man in his 70s, who arrived at the venue at 8:00 A.M., three hours before the doors were opened. He said: \u201cI was also the first to arrive last year. I would like to support the network\u2019s international aid activities as much as I can.\u201d <\/p>\n
Items such as furniture and home appliances sold well from the outset. Several food booths were set up outdoors, offering international cuisine such as churrasco (Brazilian grilled beef) and Thai curry. In addition, several games were provided for children.<\/p>\n
The proceeds from the bazaar, amounting to 720,756 yen, will be added to the network\u2019s fund and used for future international aid activities. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On April 13, the International Network for Mutual Help, based in Tenrikyo Overseas Department, held its annual charity bazaar on the department\u2019s premises, drawing around 1,200 people. The network collects and provides information on international aid in cooperation with Tenrikyo\u2019s overseas mission facilities and various groups of followers engaged in\u2026<\/p>\n