Archives
July 21, 2011
There are many volunteer opportunities for people in Tokyo, either to continue activities after volunteering in Ishinomaki, or for those not able to directly go to the disaster affected areas.
July 14, 2011
July 12, 2011
Volunteers, including many only staying in Ishinomaki for just a weekend, have completely cleaned a community swimming pool of mud in just 2 days, providing an important place for local kids to play.
July 11, 2011
Volunteers are clearing mud from the local swimming pool together with children and their parents who frequented the pool before the disaster and are looking forward to its reopening this summer.
July 10, 2011
Upon request of local fishermen, Peace Boat is now supporting the rebuilding of livelihoods through gathering fishing equipment that was dispersed and damaged by the tsunami.
July 7, 2011
Infrastructural reconstruction is progressing, yet as roadside drains are still filled with sludge water cannot yet be used. Volunteers are now working to clear these drains and restore running water.
June 25, 2011
Peace Boat is delivering relief goods for 94 temporary houses in Onagawa, 30km from Ishinomaki. Relief activities are diversifying to respond to the evolving community needs in the affected areas.
June 16, 2011
NGO JIM-NET's “1000 Person Bath Project” is providing baths for evacuees and survivors. "People were so happy when we opened. For the majority, it was their first bath since the earthquake."
June 13, 2011
Bandai Yoshinobu shares with volunteers his own experience of the disaster, hoping for volunteers to see as much of the damage as possible to truly understand the terrible power of the tsunami.
Bandai Yoshinobu is one of many members of the local community working together with Peace Boat. As a bus driver, he has been contributing immensely to recovery efforts by transporting volunteers.
June 8, 2011
Peace Boat has opened a Central Kitchen in Ishinomaki in order to increase the number of meals that can be provided, improving efficiency, sustainability, safety and hygiene.
June 4, 2011
The Moriya Fruit and Vegetable Store was the first shops in Ishinomaki's central street to reopen, on April 13 - just 1 month after the disaster. Such openings provide an important hope for recovery.
June 1, 2011
"I really wanted to protect even just this one tree." Nine cars were piled up in this large persimmon tree during the tsunami, and this tree protected a local family's house from being swept away.
May 31, 2011
Volunteer Shibata Ayako herself lost much of her family in the tsunami. "As a volunteer you are 'apart' from the survivors...I feel it is important to bridge this gap."
These photos represent the city at its current state, 2 wo months since the tsunami. Shops have slowly begun to open their doors for business, yet full recovery is still a long way away.
May 30, 2011
"Every bit helps. All you need is empathy, to put yourself in the shoes of the survivors," says Peace Boat staff Ueshima Yasuhiro. “Alone, people become despondent....but together, they gain courage."
In 2004, Sri Lanka experienced a tsunami, and now 15 Sri Lankans are volunteering in Ishinomaki. “We experienced the same tragedy, so we understand the needs of the survivors.”
May 25, 2011
"It is important to make sure that efforts are sustainable – to guarantee meals not only today, but also tomorrow."
May 24, 2011
"Although the lives of the town and people will never go back to as it was, the community is working together to create new life. I really hope that I can continue to contribute in some way to this."
Peace Boat staff Ueshima Yasuhiro has been coordinating the 2000 volunteers that Peace Boat has dispatched to Ishinomaki over the past two months.
May 19, 2011
"I didn't think I could make it through, but then I saw Peace Boat volunteers, with their boundless energy, partaking in sludge and debris removal. They gave me courage and the drive not to give up."
May 18, 2011
Over 180 'International Volunteers,' have joined Peace Boat's relief activities. The international community's presence is needed so that the devastation is not forgotten, and rebuilding can continue.
May 17, 2011
Torii Kenta went to Ishinomaki on April 8, and over 3 weeks found that volunteer work in the station area markedly improved the situation over that time.
May 12, 2011
Peace Boat stores all donated relief goods such as food, sanitary goods, household items and cleaning equipment at the indoor sports hall of the Ishinomaki Senshu University.
May 11, 2011
The delivery team is responsible for the safe distribution of thousands of hot meals prepared daily by the kitchen team to eight areas throughout the region.
May 5, 2011
Peace Boat launched the “Smile Project” with the Social Welfare Council, ap bank and Megumi Japan to clear mud and debris from over 200 individually-owned residences and businesses.
May 2, 2011
The winter is slowly turning into spring, and many schools in Ishinomaki which Peace Boat has been supporting are opening for classes. In late April entrance ceremonies were held for the new students.
May 1, 2011
It is now Golden Week, with many public holidays in Japan. Many people use this vacation time to volunteer in affected areas, and Peace Boat is coordinating 660 volunteers this week.
April 27, 2011
A coordinator of international volunteers in Ishinomaki in March and April highlights the importance of volunteering and support beyond national borders.
April 13, 2011
1 month and 2 days after the earthquake, the Moriya Fruit and Vegetable Store, which has been servicing Ishinomaki for the last 80 years, was the first shop to re-open after the disaster.
April 10, 2011
On April 10, Peace Boat held a seminar in Tokyo featuring reports and testimonials from the first batch of volunteers to Ishinomaki.
April 1, 2011
Writing and photographs from Peace Boat staff member Ueno Yoshinori who went to Ishinomaki one week after the quake and has since been coordinating relief and recovery efforts.