Ishinomaki Day 8

Following is Day 8 of my week in Tohoku volunteering with the NGO Peace Boat in the tsunami-devastated city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.

I rose at 4:45 when the rattle of pots and pans from others in the campsite woke me up. It was a damp, foggy morning. After a quick breakfast, like everyone else I began the task of packing up.
packing upWe had to have our tents down and belongings off the site and into a storage area by morning meeting at 7:30.
by 5:50 many tents are already downMy tent pole repair had held up...barely.
tape, PVC pipe, a sock...We packed everything up and placed our bags and gear in a container area.
slightly lighter loadWe attended our last morning meeting and performed our last rajio taiso exercises. One international volunteer led a team shout as a closing to the week and to celebrate the productive team spirit. We gave a huge round of applause to Peace Boat staff for an incredibly well-run week, and they urged us to come back soon.
last morning meeting...team shout outWe were given some simple campsite assignments to complete over a leisurely two hours. Some teams volunteered for toilet cleaning.
toilet cleaning detail Our team picked up litter around the campus.
easy litter detail...behind us are the tents of volunteers staying onAnd we enjoyed the cherry blossoms.
team 57
Even Mr. Wada's showers were being dismantled.
hot-water showersThe water truck arrived for the day as usual.
drinking water for volunteersPeace Boat staff members were busy in the supply warehouse...
Peace Boat supply warehouse for relief goods, equipment and welcoming the new batch of volunteers.
the new set of volunteers The new recruits were fewer in number and many of us Golden Week volunteers wished we could have stayed another week.

Soon we were loading our gear onto the buses.
boarding the busesAnd all too quickly, it seemed, we were on our way back to Tokyo.
yes, those are chandeliers in our busI know that many of us who volunteered with Peace Boat during Golden Week will return to help again. The experience of working as teams, meeting volunteers from all over Japan and the world,  working directly with very appreciative locals, and seeing progress day by day was life changing. We are keenly aware that many hands make, if not light work, lighter work, and that continued help and support is desperately needed in Ishinomaki, and in the many cities and small towns up and down the coast of Tohoku.

If you are able-bodied, live in or can visit Japan, please consider volunteering with Peace Boat. Tohoku definitely needs your help.