Biwa Bottle Boat Challenge

BBBCHello everyone, my name is Dusty Wittman, I am an ALT in Shiga-ken and I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you about an exciting project I have been working on with my friend Roxy Borowska (also an ALT in Shiga).

Having been to Ishinomaki City twice now to volunteer. I have seen first hand the devastation and the conditions in which those people are forced to live with. I will continue to go there as much as my schedule allows, but I wanted to do more so I enlisted the help of my friend, Roxy, and we came up with the “Biwa Bottle Boat Challenge” to raise money for Tohoku, specifically for the orphans and orphanages there. We have linked ourselves to the Tohoku Kids’ Project and have set our goal at $5,000.

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U.S. Volunteers Bring Relief to Japan (Video)

It was an unexpected place to find a fourth of July party, but this celebration was also designed to lift the spirits of survivors in japan’s tsunami disaster zone. it’s been four months since the torrent of water battered this coast, and young americans are at the heart of a remarkable volunteer effort bringing aid and comfort to devastated communities.


Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Tohoku Summer Volunteering Project

Peace Boat and AJET are Teaming Up for The Tohoku Summer Volunteering Project

Please read this letter from Founder and Director of Peace Boat, Yoshioka Tatsuya.

Devastation

Taken by 37 Frames Photography

多くのJET参加者にとって夏季は契約の満了や夏休みを意味する時期です。旅行の予定を立てたり帰国の準備を進める中、様々な行き先に向かって動き始めるJET参加者を対象にAJETはこの夏、NPO「ピースボート」を通して東北地方でボランティア活動をする機会を提供したいと思います。

ピースボートは、震災直後から宮城県石巻市で災害支援活動をしてきたNPO団体です。AJETは当初からボランティアをする際には、必ず信頼できる組織を通していくことを強調してきました。ピースボートは十分にスタッフやサポートのリソースを整えているため、安全かつ充実したボランティア経験をJET参加者に支援できる団体です。

Group Picture

Taken by Michito Kawasaki

今年度の支援ボランティア事業取締役として、私はピースボートとともに6月上旬に一週間のボランティア活動をしてきました。7日間をかけて私のチームは被災者の家や庭、近所の公園や側溝の掃除を被災者の要望に沿って行いました。ボランティアをしている間に多くの方々と話す機会がありました。そして、災害時の経験の話を聞いて何度も感動させられました。私達の活動は被災地の方々にとって役に立つものだったと信じていますが、やらなければならないことはまだまだ山のように残っています。そしてそのニーズがある中、ボランティアの数は極端に減ってきており、ボランティア団体も窮地に迫られています。

そこでピースボートは、JETプログラム参加者のコミュニティの強さを見込んで皆さんの支援を頼むことにしました。AJETとピースボートは本来のボランティア応募手続きを簡略化することで、より多くのJET参加者にボランティアとして東北に行ってもらえることを願っています。応募するには下記の3点にしたがって手続きを進めてください:

1.4-6人でグループをつくり、vol.aid@ajet.netに出発希望日とチーム編成を記して連絡をする。

*チーム内の1人は、必ず日本語・英語の両言語が話せるバイリンガルチームリーダーでなければなりません。チームリーダーがいない、又は4人そろわない場合、AJETで人数を集める努力をしますが、出発希望日によっては、どうしてもそろえられないこともあり得ます。その場合には出発がキャンセルとなってしまう可能性もありますので、予めご了承ください。

*チーム内の1人は、必ず日本語・英語の両言語が話せるバイリンガルチームリーダーでなければなりません。チームリーダーがいない、又は4人そろわない場合、AJETで人数を集める努力をしますが、出発希望日によっては、どうしてもそろえられないこともあり得ます。その場合には出発がキャンセルとなってしまう可能性もありますので、予めご了承ください。

3.オリエンテーションを出発日の午前11時頃に実施しますので、早めに東京に来てください。石巻への出発はその晩、夜行バスに乗って行きます。

Ganbarou

Taken by 37 Frames Photography

ボランティアをしたい方はグループの連絡先と東京からの出発希望日を明記して vol.aid@ajet.net にメールを送ってください。AJETを通して一番早く出発できる日は7月22日です。ピースボートの都合によって出発日が金曜日でなくなる可能性がありますので、東京まで来るための電車の切符や飛行機の便を予約する前に、必ずAJETと確認をしてください。今後、日程・注意事項に大きな変更等がある場合は、AJETのウェブサイトにも新しい情報を載せます。応募方法やオリエンテーションの手続きに関する質問は上記のメールアドレスまでメールを送るか、又はピースボートのウェブサイトをご覧ください。http://peaceboat.jp/relief/.

グループの情報を受け取り次第、AJETから「ボランティアマニュアル」と正式な応募書類を転送します。中には何を準備すべきか、ボランティア保険の加入に関する情報、そしてピースボートが必要とする情報のリクエストが含められています。東京までの移動旅費はボランティアの自己負担となります。東京から石巻への移動はピースボートがバスを手配しますが、1人¥2,000の交通費をいただきます。夕食・昼食、防水雨具、ブーツや作業用具はピースボートが準備しますので、必要なものは「ボランティアマニュアル」を参考に用意してください。

ボランティアは、東京で行われるオリエンテーションに参加する義務があります。これは出発当日の午前11時頃に行われる予定です。チームリーダーは別のミーティングに参加する必要がありますので、時間についてはピースボートから連絡があります。出発は金曜日の夜になり、戻りは次週の土曜日となります。
ボランティアのための安全情報も「ボランティアマニュアル」に添付してお送りしますので必ずグループ全体で目を通してください。他にも、AJETのウェブサイト(www.ajet.net) にも役に立つ情報がたくさん掲載されていますので参照してください。繰り返しとなりますが、石巻市のニーズが日に日に変わるため、出発の日時、準備する用具やオリエンテーションの手続きが変わることもありますので、ご了承ください。

皆さんのご協力は国際的なコミュニティからの支援として、東北の被災者の方々に世界から忘れられてはいないことを証明することになります。東北は今、皆さんのちからを必要としています。そしてピースボートとAJETは皆さんを支援することで東北を支援し続けたいと願っております。

Foreign Buyer’s Club Promotion Extension

The Foreign Buyer’s Club AID 4 OTHERS promotion has been extended until September.

The FBC are working with Second Harvest Japan to see what items are most need in the Tohoku area. A regularly updated list is available on the AID 4 OTHERS section of their website. Simply enter the code AID4OTHERS at check out and your order will be sent directly to those most in need in the Tohoku area by either Second Harvest Japan or CRASH.

All orders placed this way will receive a 10% discount as well as free shipping.

AJET Relief Fund Application

The application to receive support from the AJET Relief fund is now available.

JET Programme participants as well as alums and friends have come together to support JETs in areas effected by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. In this time of rebuilding, people often turn to their family for support, and as JETs are typically far from this natural support system the extended JET community is striving to fill that gap. If you, or someone you know, could use help rebuilding, replacing lost possessions, or purchasing supplies such as bottled water, please apply to the AJET Relief Fund or contact us with any questions you may have.

Ganbare Tohoku! Ganbare Japan!

Looking for Home Communications Managers

Are you a warm-hearted, motivated and organised individual looking for a way to support your community during this difficult time? Can you guarantee that you will be in Japan for at least one more year?

Smile Kids Japan has partnered with Living Dreams to form Smiles and Dreams: Tohoku Kids’ Project. The intention is to build and continue strong relationships with the 18 childrens’ homes in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukuishima, in order to set up regular fun and interactive volunteer visits for the children at these homes. Although the Tohoku Kids’ Project focuses on these 18 childrens’ homes, our ultimate goal is to have regular visits set up in all orphanages across Japan within the next 3 years. For this, we need you.

Smile Kids Japan and Living Dreams are looking for Home Communications Managers (HCMs). HCM responsibilities will include:

  • Fostering personal relationships with staff members at a children’s home to establish and maintain regular, long-term visits as frequently as possible, but at least every 3 months.
  • Conducting needs assessments of the home and acting as a liaison between that home and members of the Tohoku Kids’ Project
  • Helping distribute items that are donated to children’s homes
  • Attending events organised by the Tohoku Kids’ Project that take place at the home as often as possible

Our goal is to have two HCMs for each home in an effort to make the workload easier for our HCMs. One HCM will require good Japanese, but both coordinators do not have to speak fluently.

As an HCM you do not have to worry about working alone. Members of the Smile Kids Japan team are always available to take questions and give advice and will also connect the HCM community across the country to offer further support and ideas. Any questions or problems that you encounter can be directed to Smile Kids Japan immediately.

If you are interested in becoming a Home Communications Manager, please download and complete the form below. Please return the form to anna@smilekidsjapan.org.

Children’s Home Coordinator Application FINAL EN – Word Document (798KB)

Donating Supplies by Foreign Buyers Club

Currently one of the most pressing needs in the Tohoku region is a steady supply of food and other necessities. Food drives and donations in local areas are useful but the cost of shipping can sometimes be more expensive than the items themselves.

FBC is working with Second Harvest Japan to ensure that the food and supplies purchased on its website site are delivered to the people who need them the most, with minimum being spent on overhead charges such as shipping.

By offering only a small range of disaster-specific items, FBC can ensure these products are as cheap as possible and the items on offer reflect the current needs of the area. As previously mentioned, FBC is working with Second Harvest Japan, who is making regular deliveries to the affected region. Due to Second Harvest’s regular, direct contact with the people living in Tohoku they are able to gather information about what is needed and quickly relay this to FBC.

The road to recovery will be long and FBC wants to join with Second Harvest, AJET, Smile Kids Japan, JETWit and all their member in giving what help they can.

Thank You.

VIA: FBC

The Fruit Tree Project

Fruit Tree ProjectHello, my name is Paul Yoo and I am a current JET in Yurihonjo, Akita.  In wake of the recent disaster, we, in Akita, have actively been involved in the relief efforts and are doing our best to contribute in this time of need. The Fruit Tree Project spawned from our trip down to Kesennuma to drop off supplies.  While at the shelter we had the opportunity to talk about what their needs were, and FRESH FRUIT was their unanimous answer.  After leaving the shelter we contacted a local store manager who agreed to help us in our efforts, and offered to make orders for us from his wholesale fruit provider (located in Kesennuma!!!).  He assured us that all of our orders could be accommodated for as long as we placed them the day before.

The details for this plan are SET.  The only thing we need now is funding.  It is heart-breaking to know that the people aren’t able to get what they need, especially with a source so close to them.  We have to change this.  Right now, the shelter we are in contact with accommodates 1,100 people and receives prepared meals from the Japanese military.  They get a bowl of rice and miso soup for meals.  For this first project, our goal is to establish the infrastructure it takes to get fresh fruits into the shelters, while also raising awareness of this issue.  Our hope is that others, who are looking to make a difference, will continue The Fruit Tree Project in other cities and towns effected by the disaster.

Please visit VolunteerAKITA for more information on how you can help.

Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson JET Community Tribute

AJET are collecting letters/postcards from the community for an online tribute to two devoted and sorely missed JETs -  Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson.

Please visit http://najettribute.blogspot.com/ to read the current post cards received.

Letters/cards can be anonymous or signed, and messages will be uploaded without editing.
If you would be interested in sending messages, hopes, thoughts or wishes to either Taylor or Monty, their friends, family or the JET community at large, please send your cards or letters to

Apt. 111, Haitsu Poronia, Katase 44-28-1, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui-ken, 911-0811.

Our Condolences

To our great sorrow, we have lost another member of the JET community, Monty Dickson, to the tragic events on March 11th.   Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Monty throughout this period of mourning.

Previously, we asked the JET community to honor Taylor Anderson by sending postcards for an online blog. With the sad news of the discovery of Monty Dickson, AJET would like to extend this to include postcards for Monty too.
Please send your postcards of memories, wishes, thoughts or messages to Apt. 111, Haitsu Poronia, Katase 44-28-1, Katsuyama-shi, Fukui-ken, 911-0811

With deepest sympathy,

Caroline Ideus
2010-2011 Chair, National AJET Council