1 month after the Tsunami

"On the Road with Friends" is a non-profit organization that has settled a volunteer village, 1.5 hours from Ishinomaki city, for volunteers to come and work at cleaning the dirt from houses that were flooded by the Tsunami, as well as cooking and delivering hot meals to those living in shelters, as no hot meals are provided to them yet.

Its been over 5 years since the last time I used my tent and sleeping bag, and was not sure I had all the parts when I left home. Fortunately, everything was there, so I had a roof to protect myself and my cameras from the rain and snow. If you are planning to volunteer, make sure you bring winter clothes, as it is still cold at night and early in the morning.

Check their webpage for more information:

http://saigaishien.jp/

After the Tsunami

I'm working with a german TV crew in the Iwate area covering the Tsunami aftermath. What the eartquake did not break, the tsunami wave destroyed, and then fires took care of what little was left. There are cars inside buildings, houses on top of other houses, boats in the middle of the streets, on top of buildings, and under bridges. And under all this rubble, there are still thousands of missing people.

If you can donate, please do so. The people here are not complaining. They are working hard to get their lives back, and are thankfull for being alive. At the same time, they feel it is their duty to rebuild their towns, as a tribute to those who did not survive.