United Planet Japan Country Manager Chie Goto has been traveling around the Tohoku region, the area most affected by the tsunami and earthquake. She’s been sending back reports that are both heart-breaking and inspiring. We send her our thanks, and our best wishes for her work and her health.
She’s working on building the infrastructure and the team to sustain a long-term effort for rebuilding and helping. We hope you will join us in supporting her, and helping to build United Planet Japan.
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Voices of Survivors: Mr Akama
“I am from Yamato town, I was at the dentist when earthquake hit on 11th March 2011. Right after, I was worried about my house, so I went back to the house, then big Tsunami came, water broke windows and came inside of my house.
I could not stand up, water level was almost my height, so I was jumping up and down, drowning in the water, drunk sea water. I almost gave up, but I told myself that I should not die like this, so I used my last energy and somehow managed to climb up on the top of wardrobe, floating.
The water was really cold, my body was really freezing, I needed to heat myself up, therefore I tried to find Sake. I had thought drinking Sake would heat my body up, but it was impossible to move or to find Sake, all of items in house were messed up in water.
A few days later, I was rescued…. Now, I am sharing this space at this shelter with 2 other men, Not only me, many people lost families; one of my friend here were 5 members in a family, lost 4 of them.
People who were evacuated here shared same experience, we have very strong bond… that is one good result of disaster…………..of course I feel sad, but what can I do ? Better to move on in life.”
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
United Planet is an international non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. We connect people who want to make a difference in communities across the world through overseas volunteer travel programs, global virtual internships & volunteering, and project-based virtual exchange programs. With opportunities in more than 40 countries, you will learn, teach, work, engage and immerse yourself in a culture outside your comfort zone. For many, volunteering abroad is the most fulfilling experience of their lives!
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