16
Mar 2013

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“Now, Here Project”: People need People – Providing Sustainable Support for Ishinomaki’s Fishing Industry

Peace Boat has recently launched the “Now, Here Project”, inspired by the worldwide WWOOF movement. This aims to contribute to the regeneration of the local economy by finding ways to match the needs of the local people with the enthusiasm and energy of young people from outside of the region. The project acts as a liaison between the fishing families who need help with their businesses and people who wish to stay with them and support their farming in return for food and accommodation.

09
Mar 2013

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“3.9 Letter Campaign” – The Gratitude we always wanted to show-

Two years have passed since March 11, 2013. The city of Ishinomaki began a campaign to commemorate March 9 as a day of gratitude (as the pronounciation for 3 (San) and 9 (Kyu) in Japanese sounds like “thank you”).
The “3-9 Letter Campaign” initiated by the local community is an opportunity to thank all of the volunteers who came to help after the earthquake, and all the people who have visited Ishinomaki for travel or to attend events. A letter from a person you met in Ishinomaki may come to you too.
The first letter from Ishinomaki Mayor Kameyama Hiroshi is featured in this post.

11
Feb 2013

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Current Activities – 2013

2013 has begun Peace Boat’s Disaster Relief Volunteer Centre’s respective projects are well underway. These projects all correspond to disaster relief, meaning that the project plan is being constantly reconsidered and revised as it is being implemented. It is important for our volunteers and also the organisation itself to remember to “think flexibly, and move according to the circumstances.” This report gives an overview of the main ongoing activities for 2013, including those which are now accepting volunteers, donations and other support.

09
Feb 2013

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Peace Boat volunteers continue to support recovery from Hurricane Sandy

Following Hurricane Sandy which hit the eastern coast of the United States in October 2012, Peace Boat has supporting the ongoing efforts for relief and recovery.
This support is continuing even through 2013, when the Peace Boat Disaster Volunteer Center (PBV) dispatched volunteers Riho Katsuta and Robin Lewis back to New York in January to continue the PBV Hurricane Sandy Recovery Efforts. Both volunteers originally went to New York with Peace Boat in November-December 2013, assisting local disaster relief organisation engaged in the Sandy Relief and Recovery Efforts, WorldCares Center (WCC). Riho and Robin have continued their dedicated work to assist the coordination of volunteers and operations of projects for ongoing support of affected populations in New York and New Jersey.

04
Feb 2013

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Fukushima Youth Ambassadors: Australia, Spring 2013

Peace Boat has organised programmes for youth from Fukushima to experience international exchange in Asia in 2011 and in North and Central America in 2012. In 2013, the third recreation project will take place in Spring in Australia. This programme will bring junior high school students from Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture to Melbourne, Australia during their March-April vacation, to experience international exchange and learn about environmental issues.

03
Feb 2013

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Shinjuku Multicultural Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Discussion City Walk (Part 1)

On November 24 2012, around 20 people including students, members of NGOs and NPOs based in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward, representatives of the Social Welfare Council and Peace Boat international staff gathered for the Multicultural and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Discussion City Walk. This programme was implemented as part of the disaster volunteer skills training, and so graduates of Peace Boat’s Disaster Relief Volunteer Leader Training also participated.

28
Jan 2013

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Relief donations sent to Guatemala in response to the November 2012 earthquake

Participants on Peace Boat’s 77th Global Voyage raised funds to support survivors affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake which hit Guatemala on 7 November, 2012. The funds will be used in coordination with local partner organisation CEIBA to assist in the rebuilding of housing for the Ixwuihuila Community.

05
Jan 2013

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The first six months – Peace Boat Center Ishinomaki

The Peace Boat Center Ishinomaki opened on June 2, 2012. In the six months since then, many people have visited every day from near and far, interested in events, using the internet and other facilities there, or visitors coming to Ishinomaki for the first time since the earthquake. In this time, there has been more than 5000 visitors and participants in various events. This report details the events held in this time.

12
Dec 2012

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Hurricane Sandy Relief Volunteer Project: Japanese Volunteers Supporting Disaster Victims in New York

The March 11 disasters in Japan resulted in an outpouring of concern, support and solidarity from the United States, which has been truly inspiring and encouraging, and made a tangible impact on the lives of people affected by the disaster in the Tohoku region. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Peace Boat travelled to New York together with Ishinomaki residents to assist in the volunteer and relief effort coordination efforts, to reciprocate the support that we received in Tohoku from the people of the US.