Job Discussion Forums

Tara2117 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gunma, Japan

If anyone reading this wants to help, contact this man. He's a local from Ishinomaki who is now helping lead the volunteer center there. My friends and I helped him begin clearing out his property (shown in the video) this past Sunday. The video is in Japanese, but basically he is saying "please come help us in Ishinomaki."

I'm not sure whether he gives a way to contact him in the video... if not, drop a comment on the youtube page, preferably in Japanese. (He also speaks pretty decent basic English.) There were a few iPads donated to the volunteer center, so they do have internet access, and will probably get back to you rather quickly if you want to help.

There is a building being used as a volunteer center across the road from his house. My group slept in the building, or put up tents outside. Fujita-san is a really nice guy, and is glad to help groups who want to help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_pGLeOZvT8&feature=player_embedded

under_scored · Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Iwate, Japan

Late to the conversation but...
I live in Iwate and from what I understand: we really need volunteers. We are not picky at all. And honestly, as long as you respect the people and places you come into contact with, your reasons for coming here don`t matter. It could be to feel better about yourself or to get exercise or because you have nothing to do or whatever you want. We need people.

If anyone is interested, I think my group would be very well suited to foreign volunteers. We`re based in Kitakami, which is more inland, and drive over to volunteer every day. No camping required. There are plenty of affordable hotels to choose from and convenience stores and etc. One of the locals (such as myself) should even be able to offer a free futon to crash on for longer-term volunteers.

I speak Japanese and English and can help with logistics for getting and staying here. I can show new volunteers the ropes on weekends. On weekdays, some of the volunteer leaders speak a little English, and after you get a couple days` experience under your belt I don`t see much of a problem anyway. If there were an emergency there wouldn`t be much you`d need to understand, they`d just put you in a car and drive away, or shove you up a hill. Our group is very safety oriented and that is exactly what they`d do.

Anybody interested, please PM me or email [email protected]
The Facebook group Foreign Volunteers Japan looks useful for general information as well.