WorldSkills: A message of hope to Japan

As millions of people are glued to their television sets and computers watching and listening to the latest developments in Japan, we are thinking of our friends and colleagues. The pictures cannot portray the true magnitude of the devastation and hardship that the Japanese have gone through in the last week. Yet, we see over and over the Japanese spirit coming through on news broadcasts, reports and from messages from our colleagues. We see Experts communicating with their Japanese counterparts and the return message is always the same, they are filled with hope, endurance, resilience and strength.

In times like these, it is important to band together and stand strong to show our support for Japan. WorldSkills is a family with 54 Members; we help and support each other while building integral bonds for a lifetime. We have all experienced the warm Japanese hospitality, the never ending politeness and respect, the overwhelming ability to do any job regardless of the challenges and the memorable offers of friendship. WorldSkills wants Japan to know that we are with you in spirit. We are anxiously watching all the developments and are eager to see Japan rise again. We honour all your heroes and mourn your losses.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you, Japan and especially our friends and colleagues and their friends and families. Stay strong and know that the whole WorldSkills family is here for you and thinking of you.

Jack Dusseldorp
President

We want to share with you some of the messages of hope as they continue to roll in on our discussion forums from all corners of the globe. Experts seeking information on their friends and offering any kind of support they can.

You can read these messages below and please add your own in the comments.

We are very sorry about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan today.
We pray you’re and your family are okay and also your translator.
That’s kind of disaster also happened in my country and we lost hundred thousand people.

Indra Adji Sulistijono
Expert of Mobile Robotics

I join Indra to give my solidarity to you and the japanese people. I´m following the news about the disaster and I am very shocked with the scenes on tv.

I believe the Japanese people are able to be greater than this tragedy.

Paulo

I wish, hope and believe,
Japanese people can do the best rescue and the most fast reconstruction for the people of this tragedy.

Tsung

Tsutomu,

I hope all is well with you and your loved ones.

We are deeply sorry for what happened in Japan.

Where in Japan do you live?

Bayard

Hi Tsutomu, I’m Priscilla from Jamaica. I share with Bayard in conveying my sympathy to the families of your countrymen who died and have been misplaced as a result of the devastating earthquake. I hope you are safe and that of your family and friends. Jamaica sends its love.

Priscilla

Our thoughts are with you from all involved with not only hairdressing but all trades

Rob

Hi Tsutamu, hope you are safe, thinking of you Siobhan

Hi Tsutomu,
I’m Isabel from Spain.
I’m very shocked with what happened in your Country.
I hope you and yours are well.
Kind Regards,
Isabel

Dear Mr. Takeo Hayaki, good Night.

We brasilian we very affected and sad with the “Tsunami” and we know the Japan have very force to reset. We hope very force to Japan.
A big hug.

Sincerely

Isaias Gouveia Silva

Hi MR EJP

Thank you for taking care of us. We, including translator are safe from the disaster.
We were working in the central part of Japan. Therefore, impact from the earthquake was small.
Fortunately, our area is almost no problem except feeling just some degree of shaking at that time.
It was continuous long frequency (1 to 2 Hz) lateral vibration for about two minute long.
The east part of Japan received big damage by the earthquake and the tsunami.
And, a lot of people died and a lot of people missing.
There are a lot of sadness. However, the people in all over the world is supporting us, then we believe that Japan will revive soon.
We are very thankful again to you and all people giving support for us.

Dear Grant, Dear Kenji san, Dear Seiji san and your family

With great concern and thinking of you and your relatives, my family and I have kept informed of the events after the terrible earthquake that has devastated your island.

I hope you have not been too affected, and be sure, dear Grant, dear Kenji san, dear Seiji, that you have all our affectionate thoughts.

I know we are far apart but if there is anything I can, don’t hesitate to tell me.

I am late in writing to you Grant and I apologize.

All my thoughts to you.
Lionel

Dear Masahiro,
my deepest sympathy to you and all Japanese people concerning this disaster. Unfortunately the tragedy gets worse and nobody knows at the moment how the disaster will end.

My best wishes, Ulrich

Dear Experts,
Deeply mourn for the Japanese people who suffer from catastrophic earthquake and tsunami. Sending my most sincere condolences.

Most sincerely yours,
Daniel, Chi-Chia Liu

My friends,

I just want to leave too a few words of hope and encouragement for the Japanese people.
I’m sure that you and your and Japan will come over it.
A country with unforgettable, strong and birth people that welcomed us so well.

I ask you please to reply to us, especially to Expert and Translator from Japan, so that we have the guarantee that all is alright with you.

My deep condolences.

Dário Pinto

Although Japan is so far away from Montréal, Canada, to me it feels like it is right next to my heart for having the opportunity of visiting this beautiful country and meet so many new friends. My deepest sympathies goes to all those who are suffering the loss of relatives and friends in this historical catastrophe.

Robert Viau

Today my little track all the information given on the disaster in Japan. I really sympathize and admire the people here. They are really worth all our respect. Wish you all the tragic loss here seems to return quickly through the peaceful people of Japan

Tran Cong Hung VN

Hello everyone
First, my prayers to Mitsuru Shioya, family and the people of Japan. May they cope well and persevere in this difficult time.

WieTiong, Hie

I am grateful for the enquiries of concerns received from our friends over the globe.

The area I live is about 500km away from the epicenter and escaped with almost no physical damage. But my saloon still shook violently when the quake hit.

Right now the troubles at electricity generation plants caused by the quake are disrupting our everyday life, trains stop; even the traffic lights will not function. Because of the power outage I can only open my saloon a few hours a day.

As of now over 15000 people are thought to have perished in this quake and tsunami. Those of us survived and still now live in Japan must remain calm and orderly, for the sake of those that lost their lives in this quake disaster.

Lastly I look forward to seeing you all at the 41th World Skills London 2011. I would like to thank sincerely again our expert friends in the world for your concerns for us.

Tsutomu Usami, Expert & Representative of Japan

Hello Tsutomu

So pleased to hear that you are ok following the tragic disasters in your country. I had heard from our interpreter from WS Japan 2007 how bad the situation is even for those not in the affected areas with regards to power, lack of food in supermarkets and petrol rationing (He lives in Tokyo)

I sincerely hope that you and your country can return to normality soon but am sure it will take sometime.

If there is anything we can do to help please ask.

Rob

Thank you very much for your kind mail.
This is the biggest earthquake  that I have experienced.
Our staff in Tokyo are safe.
Materials and book fried out.
Thank you for your hearty mail again.
katsutoshi　Tsukamoto

Hi Katsutoshi,

Just hearing the news of the earthquake and tsunami that has hit this afternoon. I hope that you, your family/friends and colleagues are all fine.

WSI is thinking of you all
Jane

Hello Takeshi,

I hope you and your family are safe and well, the destruction we have seen on the news has been heartbreaking.

Regards,
John Cox

Thanks John,

Most of us in Tokyo are doing OK but we are worried about parents of my wife in Fukushima, where we have been having horrible disaster.

Trains for that direction are being out of service and phone lines are always busy. So we can’t reach them.

We will figure this out.

Regards,
Takeshi

Hello Kath,

Thank you and good hear from you.

The situation is getting a bit worse and more confused but we could reach the parents of my wife last night.

At lease, everyone I know in the earthquake areas is doing all right so far.

All the trains in our areas are out of service for all day long today and we have no idea what’s gonna happen tomorrow.

But I believe that we can cope with this situation and should not forget to smile.

Takeshi