WFC News

Interns from Illinois Weslyan University

2022-07-27 | Comments Off on Interns from Illinois Weslyan University

2022 Interns from IWU - Aja and LauraWFC is happy to welcome Aja Golliday and Laura Westpfal as interns from Illinois Wesleyan University!

 

Aja is a Psychology major with a minor in Japanese Studies, while Laura is a graphic design major with a minor in Japanese Studies, and this internship is one of the last tasks they have to complete before graduating!

 

They will be here until August 13th. As part of their learning experience, they’ve visited various sites at Peace Memorial Park and around Hiroshima, been introduced to WFC English Classes and the Riji, and have listened to hibakusha share their stories.

 

Aja and Laura have also been working on other projects: Aja is continuing work to label the various gifts and artifacts WFC has on display which will provide a richer experience to visitors of the center. Laura is applying her technical skills by improving the logos for the WFC Yu-Ai newsletter.


Stop by anytime to get to know them!

WFC 8.6 DAY
“Delivering the Voices of Hibakusha to the World”
　

2022-07-27 | Comments Off on WFC 8.6 DAY
“Delivering the Voices of Hibakusha to the World”
　
August6 flier2022 WFC 8.6チラシ2022_English

 

77th Memorial Day since the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945.

Barbara Reynolds, the founder of the World Friendship Center, had a consistent desire to “bring the voices of hibakusha to the world” and “abolish nuclear weapons.”

However, 77 years later, the abolition of nuclear weapons has not been achieved.

We welcome you to join us for these programs,

remembering those who lost their lives  in the atomic bombing.

Download 8.6 flier >

Hibakusha Talk by Ms. Toshiko Tanaka held in the morning (Japan time) would be in English only.

Please REGISTER here:  https://bit.ly/3AFdnyq

Download the Hibakusha Talk flier >

“Friends Day 2022”

2022-07-06 | Comments Off on “Friends Day 2022”
Friends Day 2022“Fostering peace, one friend at a time.”
Yesterday WFC held our inaugural Friends Day at the Hiroshima International House!
 
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who attended in spite of the extremely hot weather. Thank you very much.
 
We had so much fun sharing history, recognizing volunteers, playing games, and chatting together.
 
We are pleased to have had this time to express our gratitude to all who support WFC.
 
We would also like to thank the college students from Jogakuin University, a former intern, and daughters of a staff member. It was because of the help of these young people who worked behind the scenes, that we were able to hold this event successfully. We are truly grateful to them.
 
We look forward to spending more time together with friends new and lifelong!
 
We hope you will continue to walk with us on our journey!
NPO World Friendship Center
 

Remembering Lela Evaleen (Evie) Bertsche, former Director of WFC

2022-06-29 | Comments Off on Remembering Lela Evaleen (Evie) Bertsche, former Director of WFC
Lela Evaleen (Evie) BertscheLela Evaleen (Evie) Bertsche, former Director of WFC, passed away on February 3rd, 2022. We thank all of you for your kindness during Evie’s time in Japan and beyond, and respectfully inform you of her passing.
 
“Evie Bertsche, who left a big footprint in our hearts.”
 
On February 3, 2022, Lela Evaleen (Evie) Bertsche passed away at a nursing home in Goshen, Indiana. She was 83 years old.
 
She was sent by the Brethren Volunteer Service and the Mennonite Mission Network from 2001 to 2003 to serve as a Director of WFC alongside her husband, David.
 
During her term, she received more than 2000 guests from 47 countries, taught English classes, and participated in various peace activities.
 
Lela Evaleen (Evie) Bertsche
Thanks to Mr. and Ms. Bertsche, who strongly desired for good relations between Japan and Korea, Korean PAX started in 2003. We are sincerely grateful to them for building a bridge between Japan and Korea, our neighboring country. This legacy, Korean PAX, continues to this day.
 
After returning to the U.S., they settled in Goshen, where their children lived, and were actively involved in church activities. She also served as a Chair of the American Committee.
 
We will never forget Evie’s compassion for people, kindness and smile. We learned from Evie that with thoughtfulness and a smile, any relationships will go well.
 
NPO World Friendship Center

Roger & Kathy Edmark passing the baton

2022-04-03 | Comments Off on Roger & Kathy Edmark passing the baton

Change of Diretors 2022 Roger&Kathy EdmarkCherry blossoms are in full bloom in Hiroshima.
Thank you for your continued support of WFC.

 

In March, the restrictions on entry into Japan were lifted, and at the same time, visas were issued to the incoming directors, Matthew and Malachi.

 

Originally, the change of directors was scheduled for last summer, but after a seven months delay, Matthew and Malachi arrived in Japan at the end of March.

 

The directors, Roger and Kathy, continued to work for WFC for seven additional months in the midst of a pandemic, even after their two-year term was up, willing to serve as long as they could. We cannot thank them enough.

 

We would also like to thank their families in Seattle who have been waiting so long for their return.

 

Roger and Kathy left Hiroshima on April 1, after a short transition period with Matthew and Malachi, and returned to their families in Seattle.

 

We believe the two years and seven months have been an enjoyable and precious time for the directors and for everyone who has spent time with them.

 

We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness received from everyone.

 

Please visit the official WFC Facebook page for more photos of Roger and Kathy on the day of their departure.

 

We were blessed with beautiful weather on the day of their departure, and the beautiful Japanese spring🌸 landscape also saw Roger and Kathy off.