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30
May 2011

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Interview with Relief Project Coordinator – “Every little bit helps”

“Every little bit helps. All you need is empathy, to put yourself in the shoes of the survivors,” states Peace Boat staff member Ueshima Yasuhiro. “The area of Chuo-cho, where we first started the clean-up operation, is looking remarkably better now… It is a symbol of what can be achieved through cooperation between the local populace and volunteers. We’ve seen shop owners ready to throw in the towel, believing that there was no future, regain their fighting spirit and open up shop again. Alone, people may become despondent….but bring forces together, and people gain courage. I strongly believe this to be true.”
“They are still so many houses and buildings that need to be cleaned out. The road ahead is long and no where near finished.”

30
May 2011

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International Cooperation – volunteer team from Sri Lanka

A delegation from Sri Lanka is now on the ground in Ishinomaki symbolising the importance of international cooperation. In 2004, Sri Lanka experienced an enormous tsunami, which caused immense damage to the country. All fifteen members of the group were involved in the relief efforts following the disaster which hit their own country. According to one of them, “the damage from the tsunami is the same. We have experienced the same tragedy, so we understand the distress and the needs of the survivors.”

27
May 2011

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Mr Ito Yoshiaki joined as volunteer in Ishinomaki from April 23 - May 7

Volunteer interview – Ito Yoshiaki

Mr Ito started his volunteer stint on April 23, initially with sludge removal. He says he was a complete loss of words at the devastation. The area he once knew was completely unrecognizable.
However, seeing the local people starting up their businesses again and picking up the pieces after the tragedy gave him an immense sense of hope.

25
May 2011

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Volunteer Coordinator Ueshima Yasuhiro

Interview with Relief Project Coordinator – “as long as the needs exist, it is important to ensure enough volunteers”

“For example, it is so important to make sure that the efforts are sustainable – that we can guarantee to provide meals not only today, but also tomorrow. If the number of volunteers decreases, it will be difficult to maintain the activities we are responsible for at the moment, and so we really want to ask volunteers to continue coming to Ishinomaki. Also, those people who have already volunteered once have a good understanding of the situation and the work itself, and so it is a huge help if people can come to volunteer more than once, also.”

24
May 2011

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Minagawa Sachi

Volunteer interview – Minagawa Sachi

“There are many people gathering here from all over Japan and even overseas to take action together. And of course we are working together with the local people for recovery. Looking at this happening, it is amazing to see what we can achieve together. Although the lives of the town and people will never go back to as it was, the community is working hard to create a new life together. I really hope that I can continue to contribute in some way to this.”

20
May 2011

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Children’s Soccer Event in Ishinomaki with Japan Soccer Legend Players Club

Children’s Soccer Event in Ishinomaki with Japan Soccer Legend Players Club

“The Japan Soccer Legend Players Club” (a welfare organization consisting of well-known Japanese soccer players) is collaborating with Peace Boat for a goodwill soccer event to be held in Ishinomaki. Many schools have re-opened in Ishinomaki now, however after-school sport clubs are not operational yet. Physical exertion is essential for a healthy body and mind, especially for children in such a difficult situation. Peace Boat especially felt the pressing need to carry out events such as this for the local children.

20
May 2011

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Providing hot meals

Interview with Relief Project Coordinator – “Two Months Later”

Peace Boat staff member Ueshima Yasuhiro (29) has been acting as coordinator for the approximately 2000 volunteers that Peace Bot has dispatched to Ishinomaki over these past two months. He’s been stationed in Ishinomaki since just after the quake and has stayed put for the duration. How have the last 2 months been through his eyes? How will the needs and requirements of the volunteers change over the coming weeks and months?

19
May 2011

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Owner Sakuma Ikuko

Interview with tsunami survivor, Ms Sakuma Ikuko

“I was one of the lucky ones to have not been killed. I owe a lot, and I cannot ever take my life for granted now,” restaurant owner Sakuma Ikuko says.
“I really appreciate the work being carried out by Peace Boat, and I want them to know that. So that’s why we are letting the volunteers stay in our main dining hall. I have nightmares about the tsunami every night. I get swallowed up by the waves and the moment that I think I’m going to die, I wake up. When I do wake up, all I see out of the window are the endless mountains of debris. A darkness was beginning to consume me and I didn’t think I could make it through… but then, I saw the young Peace Boat volunteers, with their boundless energy, partaking in sludge and debris removal. They gave me courage and the drive not to give up. That is what Peace Boat gave me.”

18
May 2011

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Volunteers cleaning

Short-term volunteer positions now open

Peace Boat is happy to announce that we are now able to offer a plan for short-term volunteers, to spend two days in Ishinomaki and Onagawa assisting with efforts to remove mud and debris, and generally clean, homes and businesses in the area.
We hope that this will be a chance for many people who have wanted to volunteer, yet found it hard to make a full week, to join the relief operations.

18
May 2011

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International Volunteers

Over 180 non-Japanese volunteers, or ‘International Volunteers,’ have joined Peace Boat’s relief activities. As a rural town, Ishinomaki does not see many non-Japanese visitors, so the presence of International Volunteers is a source of fascination and encouragement for the locals. As many helping hands as possible is needed in Ishinomaki, and it is important to include non-Japanese in these efforts – both people resident in Japan and from elsewhere. Domestic news coverage of the destruction is on the wane. The presence of the international community still continues to be needed in Japan so that the devastation may not be forgotten, and efforts to rebuild can be continued together.

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