It is frustrating to read about the problems facing the residents who have lost their homes and more in the Great Tohoku Earthquake in the Fukushima area on March 11, 2011. Though the problem has faded from international view, there is still a lot needed to be done to clean and rebuild the area. Of course, monetary donations are always appreciated. However, if you want to do more, you can consider volunteering your time on a visit to Japan.
Much of the work is physically demanding, but there are roles for anyone willing to face the tragedy and help in person. Please be aware that though the government denies any dangers, there may still be health risks due to the radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, and there can be limited hospital facilities if you get ill from unsanitary conditions. However, the locals give a warm welcome to anyone willing to lend a hand. Here are a few places to start:
Save Minami Soma (photo: saveminamisoma.org)
Save Minami Soma is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing food and safe drinking water the residents of Minami Soma, which was devastated in the Great Tohoku Earthquake. They are looking for whatever help people are willing and able to provide: financial support, truck drivers and other volunteers, even people willing to provide bilingual help for their website. For more information: http://www.saveminamisoma.org/
I love Fukushima (photo: jetalone/flickr)
It’s Not Just Mud is another non-profit organization dedicated to helping rebuild the Tohoku region. They provide a wide-ranging and ever-changing set of services depending upon the volunteers they have and the needs of the residents. Some projects have included cleaning debris, planting gardens, building new stores, and visiting the residents of temporary housing facilities and doing crafts, games, or even just chatting to cheer the victims of the disaster. The organization is located in Miyagi Prefecture but does volunteer activities in Fukushima as well. For more information: http://itsnotjustmud.com/
The Odaka City website is only in Japanese, but there is a great need for volunteers to help in the coastal town. This area suffered a huge amount of damage, so there is a lot of hard work involved such as cleaning and removing debris and helping rebuild homes, businesses, and shrines. The website is in Japanese but if you can understand or decipher using google translate more information can be found at: http://ameblo.jp/v-home-net
Playground of hope project – Shishiori neighborhood in Kesen-numa city, Iwate prefecture, suffered enormous damage from not only the tsunami but also a terrible fire (photo: playgroundofhope.org)
Playground of Hope focuses on the happiness of children, installing playground facilities in areas where a ray of sunshine is greatly appreciated. Volunteers are needed to install the equipment. Though a new non-profit organization, they completed 20 installations in 2012, their first year of operation. To help out: http://www.playgroundofhope.org/
