Author: admin

July 14 – 16 Ishinomaki Volunteering

img_0103REGISTER ONLINE

NADIA Volunteering Work on July 14 -16 (team-nadia.jp)

Important!!:
– Check your volunteer insurance (new annual year has started from April 2012!).
– Volunteer insurance validity is from April 1 until March 31, no matter when you purchase!
– NADIA won’t accept any volunteer without valid volunteer insurance.

News:
– Type of work : SPECIAL THIS TIME: two types of activities during this long weekend! You may be asked to support local matsuri at Kadonowaki, Ishinomaki, or to participate to standard volunteer activity depending on local needs. Please bring the appropriate equipment (masks, gloves, boots, etc). Parents may join on Sunday with their children under 14 years old (8:30 AM to 4:00 PM). We recommend you to stay in local hotel (Please check plan 3 for more detail). The hotel in Ishinomaki may be crowded and so please book early.
– Limited seats! We will close the registrations when the number is reached, so first registered, first served.

Dates:
Volunteering work time
– July 14 (Sat) 8:30 to 16:00
– July 15 (Sun) 8:30 to 17:00
– July 16 (Mon) 8:30 to 12:00

Transportation:
– Nadia will arrange a bus to Ishinomaki if enough volunteers join
– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:
– NADIA provides accommodation at the HQ Ishinomaki.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)
– Style: Generally Japanese Style (futon mats are provided in shared rooms, but no futon cover, nor blanket, bring your own sleeping bag as well as futon sheets )

Participation PLANS (Please select one)
-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus + NADIA Accommodation
* Cost: 15,000 JPY/person
Includes: transportation by bus, 2 nights accommodation, 3 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), onsen on Saturday and Sunday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Departure: From Shinjuku on July 13 (Fri) @ 23:00
* Arrival in Ishinomaki: on July 14 (Sat) @ 5:00AM (sleep at HQ)
* Departure from Ishinomaki: on Juy 16 (Mon) @ 14:00
* Arrival in Tokyo: around 20:00 on July 1 (depending on traffic condition).

-PLAN 2: NADIA Accommodation ONLY
* Cost: 5,000 JPY/person
Includes: 2 night accommodation, 3 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), Onsen on Saturday and Sunday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki, Nadia Headquarter on Saturday morning, transportation to Onsen on Saturday and Sunday evening and for transportation from Ishinomaki back home. If we have extra seats in the bus, we can take you between onsen and Nadia Headquarter.
* Meeting point: at Nadia Headquarter for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).

-PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY – Participation to Sanja matsuri with children
* Cost: 2,000 JPY/adult, 1,000 JPY/child (under 15 year old)
Includes: matsuri participation and/or use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc) and 3 lunches.
* Accommodation: You must secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation. It is not possible to camp near the Minato-sho shelter.
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki,
* Meeting point: Nadia Headquarter in Ishinomaki for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday or Sunday morning (details to be provided after registration).
Insurance:
-Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:
-By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:
– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp
– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks on working site!

Cancellation policy:
– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:
* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:
– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants (standard volunteer activities)
– Participants must be 20 years old and up
* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature
* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents
* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate
– SPECIAL THIS TIME: Children (any age) are allowed to participate to the Sanja-Matsuri on Sunday July 15, if accompanied with parents.

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy!
NADIA Team

 REGISTER ONLINE

June 30 – July 1 Ishinomaki Volunteering

img_0103REGISTER ONLINE

NADIA Volunteering Work on June 9 -10 (team-nadia.jp)

Important!!
– Check your volunteer insurance (new annual year has started from April 2012!).
– Volunteer insurance validity is from April 1 until March 31, no matter when you purchase!
– NADIA won’t accept any volunteer without valid volunteer insurance.

News:
– Type of work : please bring the appropriate equipment (masks, gloves, boots, etc) for working in dirty conditions, as we plan some heavy activities, as well as milder activities.
– Limited seats! Registrations will close when the bus is full… so do not hesitate to register early!

Dates:
Volunteering work time
– June 30 (Sat) 8:30 to 16:00
– July 1 (Sun) 8:30 to 14:00

Transportation:
– Nadia will arrange a bus to Ishinomaki if enough volunteers join
– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:
– NADIA provides accommodation at the HQ Ishinomaki.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)
– Style: Generally Japanese Style (futon mats are provided in shared rooms, but no futon cover, nor blanket, bring your own sleeping bag as well as futon sheets )

Participation PLANS (Please select one)
-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus + NADIA Accommodation
* Cost: 10,000 JPY/person
Includes: transportation by bus, 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Departure: From Shinjuku on June 29 (Fri) @ 23:00
* Arrival in Ishinomaki: on June 30 (Sat) @ 8:00AM
* Departure from Ishinomaki: on July 1 (Sun) @ 15:00
* Arrival in Tokyo: around 22:00 on July 1 (depending on traffic condition).

-PLAN 2: NADIA Accommodation ONLY
* Cost: 3,000 JPY/person
Includes: 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), Onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
1 night (Sat) or 2 nights (Arrival Friday night)
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki, Nadia Headquarter on Saturday morning, transportation to Onsen on Saturday night night and for transportation from Ishinomaki back home. If we have extra seats in the bus, we can take you between onsen and Nadia Headquarter.
* Meeting point: at Nadia Headquarter for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).

-PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY
* Cost: 1,500 JPY/person
Includes: use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc) and 2 lunches.
* Accommodation: You must secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation. It is not possible to camp near the Minato-sho shelter.
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki,
* Meeting point: Nadia Headquarter in Ishinomaki for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).
Insurance:
-Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:
-By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:
– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp
– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks on working site!

Cancellation policy:
– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:
* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:
– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants
– Participants must be 20 years old and up
* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature
* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents
* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy!
NADIA Team

REGISTER ONLINE

June 9-10 Ishinomaki Volunteering

 Registration closed

NADIA Volunteering Work on June 9 -10 (team-nadia.jp)

Important!!
– Check your volunteer insurance (new annual year has started from April 2012!).
– Volunteer insurance validity is from April 1 until March 31, no matter when you purchase!
– NADIA won’t accept any volunteer without valid volunteer insurance.

News:
– Type of work : please bring the appropriate equipment (masks, gloves, boots, etc) for working in dirty conditions, as we plan some heavy activities, as well as milder activities.
– Limited seats! We will close the registrations when the number is reached, so first registered, first served.

Dates:
Volunteering work time
– June 9 (Sat) 8:30 to 16:00
– June 10 (Sun) 8:30 to 14:00

Transportation:
– Nadia will arrange a bus to Ishinomaki if enough volunteers join
– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:
– NADIA provides accommodation at the HQ Ishinomaki.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)
– Style: Generally Japanese Style (futon mats are provided in shared rooms, but no futon cover, nor blanket, bring your own sleeping bag as well as futon sheets )

Participation PLANS (Please select one)
-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus + NADIA Accommodation
* Cost: 10,000 JPY/person
Includes: transportation by bus, 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Departure: From Shinjuku on June8 (Fri) @ 23:00
* Arrival in Ishinomaki: on June 9(Sat) @ 8:00AM
* Departure from Ishinomaki: on June 10 (Sun) @ 15:00
* Arrival in Tokyo: around 23:00 on June 10 (depending on traffic condition).

-PLAN 2: NADIA Accommodation ONLY
* Cost: 3,000 JPY/person
Includes: 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), Onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
1 night (Sat) or 2 nights (Arrival Friday night)
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki, Nadia Headquarter on Saturday morning, transportation to Onsen on Saturday night night and for transportation from Ishinomaki back home. If we have extra seats in the bus, we can take you between onsen and Nadia Headquarter.
* Meeting point: at Nadia Headquarter for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).

-PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY
* Cost: 1,500 JPY/person
Includes: use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc) and 2 lunches.
* Accommodation: You must secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation. It is not possible to camp near the Minato-sho shelter.
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki,
* Meeting point: Nadia Headquarter in Ishinomaki for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).
Insurance:
-Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:
-By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:
– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp
– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks on working site!

Cancellation policy:
– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:
* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:
– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants
– Participants must be 20 years old and up
* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature
* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents
* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy!
NADIA Team

Registration closed

Okinawa meets Ishinomaki – April 21-22, 2012

On April 21 and 22, volunteers coming all the way from Okinawa and other Japan regions (Yaeyama Geino Kenkyukai, 八重山芸能研究会), a Thai group and other groups, including local people, collaborated with NADIA to hold the “Okinawa dance and food event” at Ichioji shrine and Asahi-Kasei temporary housing.

The event was successful and a lot of victims enjoyed the day, including the dance, Thai massage and Okinawa roasted pig.

Seeing people from Okinawa and from Ishinomaki dancing together was very rewarding for us.  A big “Thank you” to all participants and donators who made this possible!

May 19-20 Ishinomaki-Minamisanriku Volunteering

Registration closed…. stay posted for next trip: June 9-10!

NADIA Volunteering Work on May 19 -20 (team-nadia.jp)

Important!!:
– Check your volunteer insurance (new annual year has started from April 2012!).
– Volunteer insurance validity is from April 1 until March 31, no matter when you purchase!
– NADIA won’t accept any volunteer without valid volunteer insurance.

News:
– Exceptional volunteer plan: Minami-Sanriku & Ishinomaki.
– Type of work : The needs of local inhabitants of affected areas has changed, so the work MAY be less physically challenging then previous trips. Nevertheless, please bring the appropriate equipment (masks, gloves, boots, etc) for working in dirty conditions.
– Limited seats!

Dates:
Volunteering work time
– May 19 (Sat) 8:30 to 16:00
– May 20 (Sun) 8:30 to 14:00

Transportation:
– Nadia will arrange a bus to Miyagi if enough volunteers join
– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:
– NADIA provides accommodation at the HQ Ishinomaki.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)
– Style: Generally Japanese Style (futon mats are provided in shared rooms, but no futon cover, nor blanket, bring your own sleeping bag as well as futon sheets )

Participation PLANS (Please select one)
-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus + NADIA Accommodation
* Cost: 10.000 JPY/person
Includes: transportation by bus, 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Departure: From Shinjuku on May 18 (Fri) @ 23:00
* Arrival in Minami-Sanriku: on May 19(Sat) @ 8:00AM
* Departure from Ishinomaki: on May 20 (Sun) @ 15:00
* Arrival in Tokyo: around 23:00 on May 20 (depending on traffic condition).

-PLAN 2: NADIA Accommodation ONLY
* Cost: 3,000 JPY/person
Includes: 1 night accommodation, 2 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), Onsen on Saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
1 night (Sat) or 2 nights (Arrival Friday night)
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Minami-Sanriku, from Minami-Sanriku to Ishinomaki on Saturday night and for transportation from Ishinomaki back home. If we have extra seats in the bus, we can take you between Minami-sanriku and Ishinomaki.
* Meeting point: in Minami-Sanriku for work at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).

-PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY
* Cost: 1,500 JPY/person
Includes: use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc) and 2 lunches.
* Accommodation: You MUST secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation. It is NOT possible to camp near the Minato-sho shelter.
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo, Minami-Sanriku and Ishinomaki,
* Meeting point: Minami-Sanriku for work at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning (details to be provided after registration).
Insurance:
-Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:
-By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:
– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp
– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks on working site!

Cancellation policy:
– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:
* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:
– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants
– Participants must be 20 years old and up
* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature
* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents
* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy!
NADIA Team

Registration closed…. stay posted for next trip: June 9-10!

Golden Week Volunteer work April/28-30

Registration Closed

NADIA Volunteering Work on April 28-30 (team-nadia.jp)

Important!!:
– Check your Your volunteer insurance, all the volunteer insurance purchased before April has expired!
– Volunteer insurance validity is from Aril 1 until March 31, no matter when you purchase!
– NADIA won’t accept any volunteer without his valid volunteer insurance.

News:
– 3days volunteer work at Ishinomaki during golden week.
– Type of work : As situation has changed at disaster area, the type of needs from local habitants varies, not so dirty hand jobs are also expected
– Limited seats!

Dates:
Volunteering work time
– April 28 (Sat) 8:30 to 15:30
– April 29(Sun) 8:30 to 15:30
– April 30(Mon)8:30 to 14:00

Transportation:
– Nadia will arrange a bus to Ishinomaki if enough volunteers join
– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:
– NADIA provides accommodation at the HQ Ishinomaki.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)
– Style: Generally Japanese Style (futon mats are provided in shared rooms, but no futon cover, nor blanket, bring your own sleeping bag as well as futon sheets )

Participation PLANS (Please select one)
-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus + NADIA Accommodation
* Cost: 15.000 Yen per person
Includes: transportation by bus, 2 night accommodation, 3 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included), onsen on Saturday & Sunday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
* Departure: From Shinjuku on April 27(Fri) @ 23:00
* Arrival in Ishinomaki: on April 28(Sat) @ 6:00AM
* Departure from Ishinomaki: on April 30 (Sun) @ 15:00
* Arrival in Tokyo: around 23:00 on April 30 (depending on traffic condition).

-PLAN 2: NADIA Accommodation ONLY
* Cost: 5,000 Yen/person
Includes: 2 night accommodation, 3 lunches (Breakfast & dinner are not included ), Onsen on Saturday & Sunday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)
2 night (Sat) or 3 nights (Arrival Friday night)
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki and between HQ and onsen,. If we have extra seats in the bus, we can take you to the onsen.
* Meeting point: NADIA Headquarters in Ishinomaki for work at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning:
〒986-0015 宮城県石巻市吉野町2丁目 1-26 石巻水産ビル(Miyagi-Ken, Ishinomaki-shi, Yoshinocho, 2-1-26, Suisan Bldg)

-PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY
* Cost: Free
Includes: use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc)
* Accommodation: You MUST secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation. It is NOT possible to camp near the Minato-sho shelter.
* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki and between Ishinomaki and your accommodation facility,
* Meeting point: NADIA Headquarters in Ishinomaki at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning:
〒986-0015 宮城県石巻市吉野町2丁目 1-26 石巻水産ビル(Miyagi-Ken, Ishinomaki-shi, Yoshinocho, 2-1-26, Suisan Bldg)

Insurance:
-Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:
-By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:
– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp
– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks on working site!

Cancellation policy:
– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:
* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:
– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants
– Participants must be 20 years old and up
* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature
* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents
* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy!
NADIA Team

Registration Closed

NADIA in Tokyo Weekender

See article

As the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern Japan approaches, the nation is looking back and thinking ahead.

How has Tohoku recovered since the disaster, and what can we expect in the year to come?

Situation in Tohoku:

Up north, much of the tsunami debris had been cleared away and many roads have been rebuilt. However, tens of thousands of survivors who lost their homes in the disaster are still living in temporary housing.

Although basic infrastructure has been restored in Tohoku, communities are still struggling.

Many who lost their jobs when the disaster destroyed businesses, agriculture and fisheries industries, have not yet found new employment.

Communities are surviving on aid and government assistance and struggling to rebuild both economically and socially.

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor achieved cold shutdown in December of last year. Now that there is no more new radiation spewing into the atmosphere, efforts are focused on cleaning up the radioactive contamination that occurred over the last ten months.

Power shortages:

Power is still in short supply in Japan. Most of Japan’s nuclear power plants were shut down for safety checks or maintenance after the 3/11 disaster.

As of this week, only two of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors were online.

Before 3/11, Japan relied on nuclear power for 30 percent of its electricity needs, so the post-disaster reduction in nuclear power is straining Japan’s energy grid.

However, trade minister Yukio Edano promised last month that Japan will be able to get through the summer without the rolling blackouts or mandatory power cuts it imposed last year.

Although there will be no scheduled or mandatory power cuts, expect to see ‘setsuden’ power conservation efforts continue through 2012: dim lights, weak air conditioning and posters everywhere reminding you to save power.

Food safety:

When the Fukushima Daiichi reactors melted down, they released radioactive iodine and cesium isotopes into the atmosphere.

Although iodine isotopes with their eight-day half-lives are no longer a concern, radioactive cesium still poses a food contamination risk.

The Japanese government is testing food produced in affected areas for radioactive contamination, and the Health Ministry has just set new, extremely strict limits on cesium in food, especially baby food. The new restrictions take effect in April.

However, since food safety inspectors can’t test every vegetable or grain of rice coming out of Fukushima, there is still a very small risk that food from the region may contain radioactive cesium.

Volunteering in Tohoku:

Even though the rubble is cleared and basic infrastructure restored in Tohoku, volunteers are always welcome.

For those foreigners who are not specialized in construction there are still ways to contribute.

Tohoku disaster relief agencies are looking for volunteers who can offer social support to disaster survivors.

Elderly residents in temporary housing need people to talk to, displaced children need tutoring help to keep up with their schoolwork, and many survivors just need to see a friendly face as they rebuild their lives.

Most relief efforts are now being coordinated by prefectural disaster recovery centers, so if you are interested in helping out, contact prefectural offices.

Some agencies such as ‘Team Nadia’ are looking for volunteers to help clean damaged houses over weekends, a popular activity amongst busy Tokyoites and especially recommended if you have not been up there and can spare a weekend.

Finally, if you are too busy to physically be in Tohoku there is always the convenient option of donating directly to Tohoku residents through the Japan Red Cross and organizations like Team Nadia.

(See: www.jrc.or.jp/english/ • team-nadia.jp)

Exodus and return of foreigners:

Immediately after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown, there was an exodus of businesses, embassies and residents from Tokyo.

Uncertainty about radiation, food shortages and rolling blackouts drove many out of the Kanto region or out of Japan altogether.

The exact number of foreigners who left Japan because of safety concerns after the quake is hard to determine.

Chiba prefecture just reported its first population decline this month, citing an exodus of about 5,000 foreigners post-disaster as a major cause.

The disaster hit Japan’s tourism industry hard. The number of foreign tourists coming to Japan last year dropped by 28 percent.

Things are off to a better start this year with a boom in Chinese tourists coming over Lunar New Year.

Nadia One Year Trip 24-25 March Volunteer work at Ishinomaki

Sorry – Full – Stay posted for the next trip!

Featuring this time: “Nadia One Year” – Stay at Nadia Headquarter! Heavy work expected! Very reasonable fees thanks to donators who support our activities. Limited seats!

Dates: Volunteering work time

– March 24 (Sat) 8:30 to 15:30

– March 25 (Sun) 8:00 to 15:00

Transportation:

– Nadia will be arranging a bus to Ishinomaki if more than 10 people join the trip

– You can also join the trip by other means of transportation

Accommodation:

– NADIA offers accommodation at NADIA Headquarter.(For PLAN 1 & 2 participants only)

– Style: Generally Japanese Style, futon mats are available at HQ, but please bring own winter sleeping bag and sheets.

Participation PLANS (Please select one)

-PLAN 1: NADIA Bus +Stay at HQ

* Cost: 10.000 Yen per person Includes: transportation by bus, 1 night accommodation at HQ with sat&sun lunch, onsen access on saturday evening and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…),

* Departure: From Shinjuku on March 23(Fri) @ 23:00

* Arrival at HQ: on March 24(Sat) @ 6:00AM

– PLAN 2: HQ Stay

* Cost: 2,000 Yen/person Includes: 1 night accommodation at HQ with sat&sun lunch, onsen access on saturday evening, and all the tools needed to work (sacks, shovels, crowbars, brushes…)

* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki

* Meeting point: NADIA Headquarters in Ishinomaki at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning: 〒986-0015 宮城県石巻市吉野町2丁目 1-26 石巻水産ビル(Miyagi-Ken, Ishinomaki-shi, Yoshinocho, 2-1-26, Suisan Bldg)

– PLAN 3: NADIA Work ONLY

* Cost: Free. Includes: use of tools (Sacks, shovels, wheelbarrows, brushes, etc)

* Accommodation: You MUST secure your own accommodation in advance. Beware that most hotels and Ryokans are fully occupied by working groups. NADIA will not be able to provide information on local accommodation.

* Transportation: please manage your own transportation between Tokyo and Ishinomaki and between Ishinomaki and your accommodation facility,

* Meeting point: NADIA Headquarters in Ishinomaki at 8:30 AM on Saturday morning: 〒986-0015 宮城県石巻市吉野町2丁目 1-26 石巻水産ビル(Miyagi-Ken, Ishinomaki-shi, Yoshinocho, 2-1-26, Suisan Bldg),

Insurance:

– Volunteering insurance is MANDATORY to participate in NADIA activities. Please refer to our blog for information on how to get volunteering insurance: team-nadia.jp

Liabilities:

– By registering, you understand and agree that Nadia will not bear responsibility for any damage or injury that may occur during transportation, as well as during volunteering work.

Equipment:

– Follow instructions on our blog about what to wear and what equipment to bring: team-nadia.jp

– Do not forget to bring enough water or sports drinks!

Cancellation policy:

– Please understand that we are charged in full for bus and accommodation cancellation and that NADIA doesn’t have the means to cover these costs. We will of course strive to lower these costs as much as possible by looking for replacement applicants. However, we ask you to agree on the following cancellation conditions:

* Transportation: 100% transportation fee will be charged for cancellation occurring less than 5 days before departure

Personal information policy:

– Your personal information will stay confidential and will be used only for coordination purposes.

Age of participants

– Participants must be 20 years old and up

* 18 to 19 years old need parental signature

* 15 to 17 years old need to be accompanied with parents

* 0 to 14 years old = not allowed to participate

Thank you in advance for your precious help and energy! NADIA Team