一般財団法人　連帯　東北・西南　RENTAI　TOHOKU-SEINAN

Here we would like to present the views of someone at the site.

（Mr. K ・Age:30 ・ Male   Resident of Katsurajima, Miyazaki prefecture   Occupation:Fishing (Oyster cultivation)

<Recent situation of island residents' lives>
People who had been living in emergency shelters have begun occupying temporary housing since July. In terms of restoration work, we have been cooperating with the Self Defense Force to maintain roads, clear grass for the construction of temporary housing, and removing debris from beaches. At the beaches though, however much clearing is done, rubble continues to be washed ashore.

<Message to people from all areas>
Volunteers, the Self Defense Force, temporary housing construction workers, various people have visited us and our daily lives are improving.

Without this support we would not be where we are now, and we are very thankful for all your goodwill. We will strive for recovery and hope that we will be able to repay you with our delicious seafood products. In addition, if you have the chance to visit our island, I think the natural environment will liberate you from the stress of your daily lives and do wonders for you.

We would like to introduce our meeting/lodging house,
which is the center of our activities.
It is located in Sennmaya-cho in Ichinoseki, Iwate prefecture
 (30 mins drive to Kesennuma, 40 mins drive to Hiraizumi,
60 mins drive to Ofunato).

・It is a two storey house. There is enough space in the living room
 to enable several dozen people to gather for meetings.
・Kitchen, shower, flush toilet
・For bedding we have 10 sleeping bags available.

-Examples of usage-
＊As an activity hub for support workers (in some cases
 the duration of usage will be need to be decided
 following a discussion).
＊As a meeting house for local people.

＊As a lodging house or meeting place for advisors
 from various regions and/or local people.


If you would like to make use of this facility, please contact the staff member
in charge at the email address given below.
（Staff member in charge：Nagayama）
E-mail

Our office is located in Kawasaki-cho in Ichinoseki, Iwate prefecture
(30 mins drive to Kesennuma, 40 mins drive to Hiraizumi/60 mins drive to Ofunato).

Here is a description of the vehicles we have available for rental.
Number of vehicles：6 vehicles（one campervan and five 4WD SUVs）

 

Campervan（Dodge Roadtrek190）

•Seats seven, sleeps five
•Shower, kitchen, toilet, fridge, microwave,
 fully airconditioned
•Luggage rack, sufficient space in the rear
 to carry relief supplies
•Left-hand drive

4WD SUV（Chevrolet Blazer）

･Seats five
･The vehicle has a front bench seat which makes
 it easy to rest,
 or change in the car, and transport ill
 passengers from the disaster area.
･Right-hand drive


-Examples for vehicle usage-
＊As accommodation or a means of transport when going to
   temporary clinics in the disaster area for medical support
＊As accommodation or a means of transport for volunteer activities
＊As a means of transport for disaster victims who are having
   difficulties getting around in their daily lives

If you would like to make use of our vehicles, please contact
the staff member in charge at the email address provided below.
(Staff member in charge: Nagayama)
E-mail

（Mr. F・Age:32 ・ Male   Tokyo resident)

We helped with the transportation and production of bamboo materials for the rafts used in oyster cultivation. Due to land subsidence, the port becomes inundated with water twice a day. Although the smiles and laughter of the people of Katsurajima trying to raise their own spirits didn't die out, within this positive atmosphere there were voices of concern that more people are needed to help make the rafts necessary for seaweed and oyster cultivation.

Details of activity：Helping the fishermen who cultivate seaweed (shearing ropes used for rafts)
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（Mr. S ・Age:41・Male Tokyo resident)

Our activities on the island involved mainly physical work (under the guidance of fishermen) such transporting bamboo which are used to make the rafts necessary for oyster and seaweed cultivation, as well as helping with the manufacture process for ropes also used in raft making. 
The rafts have been wrecked twice in the past year with the Chile earthquake, and now the Tohoku Earthquake of 11 March. Although the plan was to produce 800 rafts by the autumn, currently there are 400, which is only half the required amount, and people are working without a break.

Soon a Shinto ceremony to purify the site will be held, and debris-removal work will also begin in earnest.

We need to continue to directly help those who experienced extensive damage, and I hope that this can help strengthen the ties between the people of Tohoku.