21
Jul 2011
The Nigerian Community living in Japan raised over 2 million yen in donations, designated to be sent via Peace Boat to support the purchase of necessary items for temporary housing in Onagawa, Miyagi. On July 24 at the Peace Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Centre in Tokyo’s Takadanobaba staff and volunteers involved in the relief efforts will gather and report about the activities.
14
Jul 2011
With summer vacation coming up soon, the role of student volunteers is extremely important. Yet despite this, the number of student volunteers is unfortunately still quite low.
A group of university students who have volunteered in Ishinomaki are organising an event on July 20 for fellow students to gather and discuss how they can contribute to the recovery efforts, in cooperation with Peace Boat. As a special guest, Mr Bandai Yoshinobu will come from Ishinomaki to share with students his own experiences.
12
Jul 2011
Yesterday’s post reported about volunteer activities to clean a local swimming pool of mud – which has now been completed!
Even for staff who have been in Ishinomaki for months and seen the great efforts of volunteers in many places throughout the city, it was a huge surprise to see the pool – which had been so filled with mud – cleaned in just two days.
The majority of the volunteers who participated in this cleanup effort were in Ishinomaki on the short-term programme – showing what can be achieved through teamwork in even a short volunteer stay.
12
Jul 2011
On July 31 and August 1, the “Ishinomaki Kawabiraki Festival” will be held. It is expected that a great number of local residents will join this event. Considering transportation and safety issues within Ishinomaki during these days, Peace Boat has decided to postpone the short-term volunteer dispatch during July 30 – August 2, 2011.
11
Jul 2011
Peace Boat volunteers are working to clear mud from the local swimming pool, joined together by local children and their parents, who frequented the pool before the disaster and are now looking forward to its reopening this summer.
10
Jul 2011
As northeast Japan is a major fishing area, the tsunami threatened the livelihood for a majority of the population.
In the face of having their boats and fishing areas destroyed, local fishermen and women are now facing the difficult choice of giving up their work or trying to once again continue. Upon request, Peace Boat is now undertaking efforts to help to support those who have decided to stay in the area and continue to try to fish, through helping to gather the different equipment such as nets, ropes and buoys that were dispersed and damaged by the tsunami.
10
Jul 2011
This is a letter from a couple in Ishinomaki thanking volunteers for their assistance in cleaning their shop as a first step towards rebuilding their lives. Thank you to all of the volunteers and to the community in Ishinomaki for their cooperation.
09
Jul 2011
Photographs by Ueno Yoshinori of the situation and clean up activities at the fishing port of Koami Kurahama on the Oshika Peninsula, Miyagi Prefecture (around one hour from Ishinomaki City).
07
Jul 2011
Many places within Ishinomaki still do not have any infrastructure such as electricity, water or gas, however in the central areas infrastructural reconstruction is gradually underway. However, even when running water is restored, the fact that most roadside drains are still filled with mud, sludge and debris has meant that water cannot be used in many cases. Volunteers are now working to clear these drains and ensure that running water can be restored.
07
Jul 2011
The need for many volunteers to assist relief and recovery efforts in Ishinomaki are still crucial, yet the number of volunteers has been decreasing in recent weeks. In order to encourage more volunteers to participate, Peace Boat has revised the conditions for volunteers including the transport costs, required items, meals and so on.