2015 Building the TOMODACHI Generation Summer Volunteer Program
On August 6, 2015, six American participants reunited with their eight Japanese counterparts in Tokyo and embarked on a five-day journey to Tohoku and back to cap off the 2015 Building the TOMODACHI Generation program. Their volunteer and study tour brought into focus the reality of the continuing challenges on the ground in Tohoku and reinforced the need for long-term, cross sector partnerships in the wake of natural disaster or social problems similar to the ones they developed in February in Washington, D.C. Their journey took them to the towns of Ishinomaki and Minamisanriku of Miyagi prefecture — two of the hardest hit towns in the March 11th earthquake and tsunami.
Upon arrival in Ishinomaki, the 14 participants toured the most devastated areas of the city to better understand the longer-term impact of the damage caused by the tsunami and the kind of programming and infrastructure rebuilding that is needed after the immediate aid that floods in after a crisis. They visited various organizations engaged in recovery efforts and had an opportunity to interact with and learn from the people of Ishinomaki themselves. The remaining days in Tohoku were spent in Minamisanriku. Participants volunteered with an organization that creates opportunities for children to play in an area of town that lost most of its parks and playgrounds when temporary housing camps were constructed in their place. Students spent another day helping a local community prepare and run its Tanabata festival; allowing them to share a meal and conversation with people who were directly affected by the disaster and learn from them the impact of the disaster on quality of life, hope and their vision of the future. Their time in Tohoku ended with an open discussion with the mayor of Minamisanriku, Jin Sato. Students had the opportunity to ask the mayor a range of questions regarding the aftermath of the tsunami and the ongoing recovery effort. The program culminated in Tokyo where participants debriefed and shared their experience with representatives from TOMODACHI’s Fund for Exchanges donor companies, Morgan Stanley, USJC, and USJI.
- For more information on this program, click here
