22
Dec 2011
Thank you for your generous support this past year for Peace Boat’s Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Disaster Relief efforts.
Our office will be closed over the new year between December 28 – January 3.
We wish for a brighter year ahead for the people of Japan’s Northeast region, and sincerely appreciate your continued support.
19
Dec 2011
Blog photographer shares a personal episode meeting an elderly couple while distributing the Kizuna newspaper in Ishinomaki’s temporary housing. The accumulation of such connections will truly create a bond, “Kizuna” between volunteers and disaster victims.
18
Dec 2011
Since the Kizuna Newspaper was launched in October, it has received many compliments, with residents giving thanks for the deliveries, and expressing that they look forward to talking with the volunteers. These compliments come as a result of all the efforts made by Peace Boat volunteers, symbolized by the Peace Boat blue bibs, including efforts in meal provision, cleaning and assistance in evacuation centres in Ishinomaki.
15
Dec 2011
The first term of the “Disaster Relief Volunteer Leader Training,” in which 15 people participated from November 5-11, has successfully finished. From November 19, 13 participants also joined.
This report interviews two people who participated in the first term, sharing their impressions of the seven days.
08
Dec 2011
Pal System Consumers Cooperative Union has been carrying out relief activities since soon after the disaster, cooperating with Peace Boat in the provision of meals and dispatch of staff members as volunteers to assist mud removal and cleaning activities. Since before the earthquake, Pal System had been distributing products of the Maruto Takahashi Tokuji Shoten, however this was forced to stop after the factories were severely affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Yet after volunteer cleanup efforts, the products are now back for sale as part of Pal System’s “Reconstruction Assistance Project.”
02
Dec 2011
From November 23 to 27, “Tomoni-Mae-e-Ganbaru Shotengai Matsuri” (Let’s Work Together Together to Move Forward Shopping Street Festival) was held in the center of Ishinomaki, near the headquarters of the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Centre. Aitopia-dori, Hashi-dori and Kotobukichominami-dori were the main streets of this festival. As well as a sale held by all the stores on the shopping streets, many events and activities were planned. These included supporting shops from all over the country, giving away saury fish for free; Ishinomaki’s traditional “Hidakamitaiko” (Japanese drum) and street performers, amongst more. With all these, the few days were filled with energy strong and warm enough to blow away the cold. This report will mainly cover an event of the first day of the festival, making a Jumbo Norimaki (sushi roll).
28
Nov 2011
Peace Boat has just finished two months of emergency relief work in Wakayama Prefecture. This is an interview with Suzuki Takayuki, who coordinated the activities of volunteers for a total of 1700 working days in the area since September 8.
24
Nov 2011
The Ishinomaki port and surrounding areas are some of the areas most severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Many factories and industries affiliated with fisheries suffered serious damage. This is a report of relief being carried near the ports, focusing on the Mitsuwa Seihyo Ice Factory, to eventually lead to the recovery of the fishing industry.
24
Nov 2011
On December 1, events will be held at Chukyo University in Aichi prefecture (Toyota in the afternoon, Nagoya in the evening) which will also be the venue for a mid-term report on the volunteer activities in Ishinomaki.
We hope this will be an opportunity to learn from the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and to consider the potential of cooperation between NGOs and universities.
We would also like to invite all Aichi residents that volunteered in Ishinomaki to join us for this event.
18
Nov 2011
The first term of the Disaster Volunteer Leader training took place in Ishinomaki from November 5-11, 2011. Participants received training in safety and first aid, volunteer coordination, leadership skills and more. See here for details.