Going on an updating hiatus

I’ve been translating the Kesennuma Volunteer Center blog for over a month.  It was useful to me, but perhaps few others. so I’ve decided to stop.  Probably permanently, definitely temporarily.  The original volunteer center blog continues in Japanese, of course.  You can translate it using Google or Yahoo’s services for such things.

• http://msv3151.c-bosai.jp/group.php?gid=10247

Activities cancelled 5/30

Due to the incoming hurricane, volunteer activities for Monday, May 30, have been cancelled.

Regarding the 5/29 busses

We are no longer accepting applications for the 5/29 (Sunday) buses from Sendai and Ichinoseki.  Thanks everyone!

Authentic tonkotsu ramen distribution

In today’s great weather, about 280 volunteers worked hard.  Volunteers and assistance groups, whether individual or collaborative, have provided many materials and goods.  Some of the goods are distributed before activities begin, and some during break periods.  Thank you!  In Kesennuma’s 鹿折 area, ramen was given out.  Children and many other people enjoyed eating the ramen today.  A big thank you to those who provided it!

Bus from Sendai 5/28-5/29

The Volunteer Center has organized a bus for 5/28-5/29 (Saturday-Sunday).  There is space for 45 people (after that, sorry).  The bus will pick up outside the west gate of Sendai Station on both Saturday and Sunday from 6:20, departing at 6:30.  It’s a red bus operated by “みちのく観光” (so it probably has that in writing on the side).  There is no cost.  The return bus will depart Kesennuma at around 16:00, arriving at Sendai Station at around 19:00.  You can register by contacting the Volunteer Center between 9:00 and 17:00, ℡ 0226-22-0722, 080-5949-7475.  Work activities include removing mud, cleaning up debris, and helping with temporary housing.  Required supplies: proper work clothes (long pants and sleeves), hat, gloves, work boots with metal insoles, mask, towel, food, water or beverage, and volunteer insurance.  Please prepare these things in advance, including volunteer insurance.  See http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf for reference.  Thanks!

Volunteer management

The seasons are changing, and the days are getting long.  At the Volunteer Center, we are looking to recruit new volunteer management.  Working out in the mud is very visible, and we think that those organizing the volunteers are unsung heroes.  Volunteer management oversees volunteer cleanup efforts.  We need about 10 people who can work for a week or more.  Locals are welcome.  The work typically lasts for 4 hours starting in the morning.  Main activities are working at the reception tent (for incoming volunteers), distributing tools and materials, transporting these things to areas where volunteers are working. assorted clerical work, and tidying up.  If you are interested, please contact the Volunteer Center (TEL 080-5949-7475, FAX 0226-22-0732).  Thanks in advance for your help!

Ichinoseki Bus 5/21-5/31

For 5/21-5/31, there will be a volunteer bus from Ichinoseki to and from Kesennuma.  There is space for twenty people on the bus.  If there are too few people, the bus may be cancelled.  Thecream-colored bus will load at Ichinoseki Station, with a sign on it reading “気仙沼市災害ボランティアセンター行き”.  Please check that you’re on the right bus.  The bus is free.  The bus is free.  It will leave Ichinoseki at 8:00 and return to Ichinoseki at 17:00.  Volunteer activities are things like picking up trash and cleaning up garbage.  Necessary gear: proper clothing, boots, goggles, gloves, water or beverages, lunch, hat, a towel, and volunteer insurance.  For reference, see http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf.  Volunteer insurance is very important — please get it before coming on the bus trip.

Bus from Sendai 5/21-5/22

The Volunteer Center has organized a bus for 5/21-5/22 (Saturday-Sunday).  There is space for 45 people (after that, sorry).  The bus will pick up outside the west gate of Sendai Station on both Saturday and Sunday from 6:20, departing at 6:30.  It’s a rouge colored bus operated by “みちのく観光” (so it probably has that in writing on the side).  There is no cost.  The return bus will depart Kesennuma at around 16:00, arriving at Sendai Station at around 19:00.  You can register by contacting the Volunteer Center between 9:00 and 17:00, ℡ 0226-22-0722, 080-5949-7475.  Work activities include removing mud, cleaning up debris, and helping with temporary housing.  Required supplies: proper work clothes (long pants and sleeves), hat, gloves, work boots with metal insoles, mask, towel, food, water or beverage, and volunteer insurance.  Please prepare these things in advance, including volunteer insurance.  See http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf for reference.  Thanks!

Bus from Sendai 5/14-5/15

The Volunteer Center has organized a bus for 5/14-5/15 (Saturday-Sunday).  There is space for 45 people (after that, sorry).  The bus will pick up outside the west gate of Sendai Station on both Saturday and Sunday from 6:20, departing at 6:30.  It’s a rouge colored bus operated by “みちのく観光” (so it probably has that in writing on the side).  There is no cost.  The return bus will depart Kesennuma at around 16:00, arriving at Sendai Station at around 19:00.  You can register by contacting the Volunteer Center between 9:00 and 17:00, ℡ 0226-22-0722, 080-5949-7475.  Work activities include removing mud, cleaning up debris, and helping with temporary housing.  Required supplies: proper work clothes (long pants and sleeves), hat, gloves, work boots with metal insoles, mask, towel, food, water or beverage, and volunteer insurance.  Please prepare these things in advance, including volunteer insurance.  See http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf for reference.  Thanks!

Filling out volunteer forms early

Dear new volunteers, if you would care to download and fill out your volunteer forms early, this saves time when you arrive for your first day’s work.

・Volunteer form for individuals
・Volunteer form for groups
・Volunteer form for organizations

These forms should be brought in person to the Volunteer Center.  Regretfully, fax, e-mail, and mail will not work.  These papers are only needed for your first day of volunteering — from your 2nd day and on, there is far less paperwork, and it can be done at the morning Volunteer Center checkin.  The above forms may change in the future.  Thanks!

Twitter account

The Kesennuma Disaster Volunteer Center now has a Twitter account.  Please follow it if you like!  @kesennumavolcen

Volunteers wanted 5/10-5/13

There will be a volunteer bus from Ichinoseki to and from Kesennuma May 10th-13th (Tuesday-Friday).  Volunteers are very much needed!  There is room for 40 people on the bus (once it fills up, we cannot take any more people).  The bus leaves from the JR Ichinoseki Station front bus stop.  It’s a white bus — please ask the driver to confirm the destination.  There is no fee.  The bus leaves at 8:00, and the return bus leaves Kesennuma at 16:00, arriving at Ichinoseki around 17:30.  Volunteer activities include cleaning up tsunami-affected areas, removing mud, and helping set up temporary housing.  Required gear: gloves, dust mask, clothes with long sleeves and long pants, safety boots (preferably with metal insoles to prevent nails from causing injury), hat, goggles, a towel, lunch, and beverages.  Please obtain volunteer insurance on your own before coming.  See http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf for reference.

Notes on activities

Dear volunteers, thank you for your hard work.

• There is a lot of glass in the mud and rubble that you may be cleaning.  Please be careful not to get cut.  Even if you are wearing gloves, there is still a risk.  If you do get cut, please rinse the cut with water immediately.
• Please refrain from photographing volunteer activities.
• Please refrain from bringing small children with you to volunteer.  Please take responsibility for your children.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

Tetanus

Dear volunteers, because the risk of tetanus is high, if you can get a tetanus vaccine before coming to volunteer, please do.  There is a lot of broken glass and rusty metal in the areas where volunteer cleaning occurs.  See http://health.goo.ne.jp/medical/search/105C0100.html for more information on tetanus.  Thanks!

May 7th & 8th buses

There’ll be buses for volunteers on May 7th and 8th.  There’s room for 45 people each day.  When the bus fills up, it will leave — sorry if there’s not enough room!  The buses will leave at 6:30 (boarding from 6:20) from the West Exit of Sendai Station.  The buses are a rouge color, and are “みちのく観光” buses.  They’re free.  They’ll depart Kesennuma at around 16:00, or whenever the volunteers are back, and should arrive at Sendai around 19:30.  If you have any questions, contact the volunteer center (0226-22-0722, 080-5949-7475), 9:00-18:00.  Volunteer activities are things like picking up trash and cleaning up garbage.  Necessary gear: proper clothing, boots, goggles, gloves, water or beverages, lunch, hat, a towel, and volunteer insurance.  For reference, see http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf.

May 6th bus

On May 6th, there’ll be a volunteer bus going to/from Ichinoseki.  There is room for 40 people on the bus.  The bus picks up across from Ichinoseki Station.  It’s a white bus — confirm the destination.  The bus is free.  It will leave Ichinoseki at 8:00 and return to Ichinoseki at 17:00.  Volunteer activities are things like picking up trash and cleaning up garbage.  Necessary gear: proper clothing, boots, goggles, gloves, water or beverages, lunch, hat, a towel, and volunteer insurance.  For reference, see http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf.

Volunteering in Golden Week

We had a large number of volunteers during Golden Week, and we were discouraging too many people from coming to visit at that time, since too large numbers makes organization difficult.  However, Golden Week is winding down, so starting from May 6th, please come volunteer freely if you have time.

Thanks for the food

Today was a cold day, and some local residents brought us delicious noodle soup to eat.  We enjoyed eating it quite a bit.  Thanks!

Gratitude

The Volunteer Center has receieved many thanks from local Kesennuma residents, largely because of your hard work.  One person, 金太郎飴, said, “Thank you for being Kesennuma’s strength.  金太郎飴 also designed the “Child of the Sea: Hoya Boya” character (see http://www.city.kesennuma.lg.jp/icity/browser?ActionCode=content&ContentID=1232593384266&SiteID=0000000000000).  Many other residents have offered words of thanks, as well.  We at the volunteer center want to thank you the volunteers for doing so much, and we hope to work hard together in the future.

Regarding tetanus

When volunteering, it is possible to get tetanus by stepping on a nail (or other sharp metallic object).  This can happen even if the wound is quite small.  Tetanus kills about 50,000 people annually, so proper care needs to be taken around dirty and rusty metal.  Symptoms occur 2 to 10 days after infection.  Symptoms include a stiff jaw, irritation, difficulty swallowing, fever, headache, chills, and muscle cramps.  Vaccinations exist.  A 3-step vaccine is good for life, or 1 shot is good for 5 years.  In the case of a serious tetanus exposure risk, a booster shot is required.  Please inform the volunteer center if you are injured and worried about tetanus.

Safety notes for volunteers

Thank you to all of the volunteers.  We have a few small safety requests.  Please do not forget these things.

• Drinks and lunch.  It is important to have food, and especially drink, as the season changes and it gets hot out.
• Towel and mask.  Please bring a towel to cover your head or neck and a mask to keep dust out of your face.  See the following volunteer safety manual.  http://rsy-nagoya.com/rsy/common/pdf/suigai-manual.pdf
• Rain pants.  Rain pants can tear on the job.  Please consider bringing a change of rain pants, since working without them can be dangerous.

Thanks for volunteering, and we look forward to safely working with you in the future.

Today’s work cancelled

Today’s work has been suspended due to high winds, which are dangerous.

The volunteer registration process

Here are instructions for how registering to work at the Kesennuma Disaster Volunteer Center works.

1.  Go to this tent and sign in. Starting at 9:00 and continuing until around 10:30.  There are two lines — one for people who have volunteered at the center before and one for those who haven’t.  In either case, there are a few things to write down.  Be sure to know your address and telephone number.  People here can copy the kanji for your address if you are unable to write it.  After you sign in, you may be given a post-it with your name and phone number, to be used later when you form a group for a cleaning activity.  You’ll also be given a sheet that says そうじ to tape to your back, and probably a piece of tape with your name to tape on your arm.

2.  Gather together and wait for a job.  Outside of the pink trailer.  This is called “orientation” in Japanese.  The people running the volunteer center have certain jobs that require a certain number of people.  So they’ll exit the trailer home and ask for a group of some size and people will raise their hands to join it.  Some jobs are “for men” or “for women”, but this is generally just a guideline (based on how much heavy lifting they think will occur), so feel free to ask them if co-ed is fine (it probably is).

3.  Get tools needed for the job.  When you form a group, the first thing you’ll do is choose a group leader and sub-leader.  In many cases, some experienced volunteers will immediately take charge.  Obviously if your Japanese is not great you should not volunteer for this task.  Group leaders get a red jacket, and they also get a sheet of paper describing the cleaning work to be done.  The paper lists a bunch of tools, which the group will then gather from white tents.  Those white tents also have extra gear you should bring on your own but may have forgotten (goggles, boots, metal insoles, rain gear).  If you get injured on the job, which apparently happens rather frequently, tell your group leader right away.

4.  Take a shuttle to the work site.  Walk if it’s close, but it usually isn’t.  Waiting for a shuttle can take some time, so be patient.

5.  Activities finish around 3:00.  The group leader will telephone the volunteer center, and transportation will be sent.  All of the gear needs to be washed upon return to the center — there are buckets and pressure washers for this purpose.  Wash your own rain gear and boots, too.  Probably your group leader will then have a 30 second group meeting and everyone will say goodbye.

6. Contact info for the volunteer center.
Volunteer reception: ℡080-5949-7475
Volunteer work requests (not useful for most of us): ℡0226-22-0726
Volunteer center main office (not useful for most of us): ℡0226-22-0722, FAX0226-22-0732

Using raingear and gloves

For those doing cleanup involving mud and other dirt or garbage, we have a request.  There is a lot of muck and grime at cleanup sites, and some of it could contain hazardous substances.  Please wear proper gloves and raingear when cleaning.  Upon your return to the Volunteer Center in the afternoon, please clean your raingear and boots with the hoses made available.  And if you’ve borrowed the VC’s gear but are unable to clean it properly, let the VC know, and they’ll clean it later.  Thanks!

Volunteering during Golden Week

The Kesennuma Disaster Volunteer Center continues to operate as it has until now.

In 本吉, a branch volunteer center has opened.  The location is the lobby of “Kesennuma Hamanasu no Kan” (気仙沼市はまなすの館).  They are looking for volunteers, and can be reached by telephone at 080-1696-2231.  Presumably Japanese spoken (though the main Kesennuma Volunteer Center has many organizers who speak English quite well).

A branch volunteer center has opened in Koizumi — the center is called 気仙沼小泉浜災害ボランティアセンター — or “Hamasen” for short.  It is located in the town of 本吉 (part of Kesennuma City), in the Koizumi beach area.  They are seeking volunteers, and have created a website with more information. http://hamacen.hida-ch.com/

Camping near Orikabe

The Kesennuma Volunteer Center probably knows about places for volunteers to camp, but regardless, here’s a list of some nearby sites (from web searches — call them to confirm).  These places are close to Orikabe, a town west of Kesennuma.  Many of the camp grounds closer to Kesennuma are coastal, and I imagine the undamaged ones are already fully booked with volunteers for Golden Week.

Camp grounds

• 室根支所室根山望洋平キャンプ場. 〒029-1201 岩手県一関市室根町折壁字室根山１−１７７. ☎0191 64-3701.   9km N of Orikabe.
• 飛ヶ森キャンプ場.  〒029-1111 岩手県一関市千厩町奥玉飛ケ森１１－８０.  ☎0191-56-2950.  10km NW of Orikabe.
• 千厩支所黄金山キャンプ場.  〒029-0802 岩手県一関市千厩町小梨字堂ケ崎３０−５.  ☎0191-52-2496.  11km SW of Orikabe.
• 黄金山キャンプ場.  〒029-0802 岩手県一関市千厩町小梨.  ☎0191-52-2496.  16km SW of Orikabe.

Rest areas

• 道の駅かわさき‎.  〒029-0202 岩手県一関市川崎町薄衣字法道地４２−３.  ☎0191-36-5170.  http://www.kawanoakari.com/.  18km west of Orikabe.

Please volunteer after Golden Week

This is the Kesennuma Disaster Volunteer Center.  Today we have an important announcement regarding volunteering during Golden Week.

For the big holiday break, many people will be traveling and going to and from their homes.  This may lead to much confusion and chaos.  Because of this, we encourage volunteers to apply from 5/9 onward (when Golden Week is finished).  This applies to individuals and bus groups.

Thanks for your help and understanding.

Announcement

Work on 4/27 has been cancelled due to weather.

Pants cuffs

Hello to all, from the Kesennuma Disaster Volunteer Center.

For your hard work every day, thank you.

There is one point for people working on on sites with mud and such.  When you are working, sludge and glass can get inside your boots.  This is very dangerous.  So please keep wearing proper rubber boots and rain pants, and specifically put the cuffs on your rain pants over your boots (as seen in the pictures).  Thanks again!

Volunteer activity news 4/26

State of affairs for lodging.

On 4/22, a tent site was announced for Kesennuma Volunteer Center-related use.  That site is now full.  Many volunteers have been coming to Kesennuma.  During Golden Week, we expect the number of volunteers to increase, and this may lead to some confusion.

Kesennuma will be in need of volunteers for some time to come, and we are very happy to have everyone’s support.