At least 11 kids and their parents, refugees from Fukushima and other parts of Japan, are visiting Oregon this month and living with U.S. host families as part of a grass-roots effort to give them a break from the stress and health risks they had been facing at home.

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami forced residents indoors for months, required them to wear protective gear when they did venture outside — even made them wary of plants, grass and rain.

"I remember the first time I spoke with my guest," said one of the US hosts. "She said, ‘I have been dreaming about taking a walk with my baby in a stroller.'"

(WATCH the video below, or read the story at MSNBC)