July 2018 Heavy Rain caused tremendous damage in the three prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama and Ehime. More than 200 people were killed and nearly 500 were injured, as well as more than 50,000 homes were destroyed or flooded (According to “Overview of the 2018 White Paper on Fire Service” by Fire and Disaster Management Agency). Even now, more than a year after the disaster, many people still live in temporary housing.

JCCU and co-ops nationwide are continuously providing various supports. Okayama Co-op, located in Okayama Prefecture, where damage was particularly severe, holds various events for victims in addition to fundraising and volunteer activities.

On July 28, 2019, an event for children “Summer Vacation! Children's Experiment Class” was held at a temporary housing in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, with the participation of Okayama Co-op members and staff. Target people were elementary and junior high school students who live in the temporary housing. A teacher from a junior high school in Kurashiki city was invited as a lecturer, and three experiments were conducted under the theme of Asteroid Explorer Hayabusa 2.

The children, creating a model rocket and target markers, and having learned the structure, enjoyed flying the model rocket outside the temporary house. Parents commented, “It could be submitted to school as a free study for the summer vacation so it is really helpful”.