Workshop Announcement: Reviving Memories Through Photo Restoration

    “Photo cleaning” is a voluntary activity where we clean photos damaged by disasters and give them back to the owners. If the damaged photos are left untreated, the images will gradually fade due to bacterial erosion, However, the erosion can be prevented by cleaning with water and ethanol.

    Thanks to the cooperation of The Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center, on December 14th, 2024, Chuo University provided our students with a firsthand opportunity to clean photos as part of engaging in disaster projects and encouraging them to actively engage in community service moving forward. The workshop also had an aspect of contributing to the local community through the participation of the neighborhood.
    In addition, the University invited Mr. Keiichi Fukui, the advisor of a photo-cleaning community service group, Araiguma Okayama/ Araiguma Noto, to give a lecture on the purpose and substance of photo cleaning. Following the lecture, our students served as mentors to neighborhood participants, enabling themselves to deepen their knowledge and understanding by trying to convey their insights to the participants from different backgrounds.

    The workshop was co-hosted by the Araiguma Okayama/ Araiguma Noto, and The Nippon Foundation Volunteer Center

- Comments from the students -
・ There were quite a few participants who liked pictures so they were passionate about this activity. I spent a lot of time cutting and cleaning photos that belonged to a single owner which made me feel a lasting memory for the family. I learned we need many workforces to do photo cleaning. I also want more people to know that even photos that are wet or soaked in mud can be restored.
・ I learned how devastating the disaster was by actually touching and smelling the soils and molds. It was meaningful for me to know that there are ways to support disaster victims without being at the site.
・ When I received the album to work on, I was shocked to see the severely damaged photos. Each picture captured the family’s happy moments but was about to fade and that made me feel scared to learn how devastating the disaster was, changing one’s life completely. When I finished cleaning one picture, I was simply happy. Though the photos are not perfectly restored, I believe the owner will also be grateful to see our effort.

- Comments from the neighborhood -
・ I participated in this event without any particular motivation, but as I cleaned pictures of a baby and happy family moments, I felt uneasy. I sincerely hope the victims will be happy to see their photos restored.
・ Chuo University students were very nice and they were eager to help us. I think this kind of opportunity benefits both the students and us so I am looking forward to the next occasion.
・ I am grateful to have had such a valuable experience, and if I were ever to become a victim, I want to make sure my pictures are preserved. I am willing to join community services from now on.
・ I am a junior high school student and it was great to work with someone around my age. Considering my age, some people seemed to have a sense of familiarity for me.
・ The explanation was very easy to understand and I felt secure with the mentors by my side. Also, I think this kind of opportunity where students interact with people of different ages benefits our society. The students were doing excellent job.