Back in the States and Employed!!!

Kon'nichiwa, Namaste, Tashi Delek, Sawadee-kah, Khmai, Apa Khabar, and finally a big hello since I’m back in the States!

Yes, I am back in the states sooner than planned, and wanted to say hello in all the new languages I learned (I only learned hello and thank you J).  I also wanted to take this this opportunity to inform you of positive changes in my life now that I am back “home”.  As of January 28, 2012, I embarked on the next phase of my “helping the world” career as a development associate for All Hands Volunteers.  All Hands is the amazing organization I did tsunami relief with in Ofunato, Japan. It was one of the most inspirational and amazing times of my life.  I loved it so much that extended my time there until the end of project; I probably would still be there if winter and lack funding did not push us out.  I dug ditches in the blistering sun, gutted houses in pouring rain, hand cleaned photos in freezing water in a freezing room, and had the best time ever because I was alongside 100 of people, like me, who just wanted to help where they could. 

So, now I am working for them because of what they do best, giving anyone and I mean anyone …grandmas, drop-outs, Peter-pans… a place to go when they want to help.  Plus, they pay for volunteers room, 60 bunks beds in one room, board, an old electronics shop, and food, Bento boxes, so they can focus on working as hard as possible, 6 days of week regardless of weather, when they are on project

All Hands also allows those that cannot be on project, because of other life commitments, babies, new houses, 50 hour work weeks, away to help.  These people make donations, have fundraisers, spread the word from the comfort of home and hot water. 

A volunteer funded by donors creates one of the most passionate workforces, the world has ever seen.

It is my duty as a volunteer and even more so now as employee to continue thought.  So, I donated $100 in addition to all the sweat equity I put in, and am now asking you to donate what you deem significant.  This maybe a dollar maybe $1,000 it does not matter, what matter is that you believe in me and empowering volunteers to work their asses off.

I thank you for all the time and attention you have provided me over the past year and during this long post.  I look forward to updating you on my new job and how much money I have raised.

6 Months Of Project Tohoku - Taken from Hands.org

The sprawling coastal city of Ofunato, with an ageing population of 40,000 and a third of its homes damaged or destroyed, had a clear need for additional volunteer labor to work alongside the city’s cleanup and recovery efforts. Following approval from the Mayor of Ofunato, we opened our doors on April 12th to eager volunteers from around the world. Six months on, with over 1,000 volunteers from 33 countries, with over 65,000 hours of volunteer service contributed to the local community efforts, we can reflect on the contribution we've made to the colossal efforts by the city and people of Ofunato.

In April, homes and businesses were filled with debris. As the debris has been removed, and treasured possessions recovered, skilled volunteers removed damaged floors, walls and ceilings of more than 125 homes and businesses, removing the burden of initial steps of the repair process from overburdened carpenters. Our volunteers delivered over 82,000 specially requested food items, supplementing evacuation centres' food supplies, by slotting in to established SDF delivery routes. Cash grants for building materials and professional labor have helped 36 families move back home. We've cleaned close to 100,000 salvaged photos and digitally retouched 300+ water-damaged photos returned precious memories to dozens of families. At the request of the city of Ofunato our volunteers cleared miles of clogged municipal drainage canals, avoiding flooding during winter. We are also rehabilitating one of the only publics parks that the city hasn’t repurposed for temporary housing, so local children can have a safe environment in which to play. The diversity of work speaks to the widespread need confronting communities up and down the North East coast of Japan.

Six Months of Project Tohoku from All Hands Volunteers on Vimeo.


In six months, the Japanese government has constructed nearly 50,000 temporary homes and cleared over 11 million tonnes of debris countrywide. According to the Mayor of Ofunato, every piece of debris in the city had been touched; either cleared, demolished, chopped up, or relocated for sorting. With local carpenters now finished constructing temporary housing, repairs and rebuilding have started in earnest, and more local businesses open each week.

Even with this impressive progress, full recovery is still years away. All Hands Volunteers is well positioned and committed to continued support of this region through this year and beyond. A smaller, more focused group of volunteers are present until 12th November, after which, we'll roll out a longer term recovery strategy, designed to meet the needs of affected communities and industry. We'll continue to rehabilitate public parks and sports fields, fund the restocking of school libraries, and support the rebuild of infrastructure.

A special thanks to the remarkable people of Ofunato, whose resilience, generosity, and kind words of encouragement provide ample motivation to work hard each day. Thank you also to all our supporters who have helped make our work possible.

To read more about All Hands Volunteers and the wonderful work going on around the world go to Hands.org

1st Volunteer Application Submitted

Part of my dream of traveling around the world is do volunteer while I’ll do it, ideally getting free accommodations and free food, so I can stretch my budget even further.  Some people are surprised you have to pay since you are doing free labor and others think of course you have to pay you do not want to take anything away from the people you are helping.  It is the double edge sword I live with every day in my field, and all I can say is for me it all evens out.  I’ll work hard and make sure the money is used right. 

After some research I stumbled upon All Hand Volunteers.  All Hands Volunteers is a US-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, that provides hands-on assistance to survivors of natural disasters around the world, with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy.  They support  volunteers with housing, meals, tools, and organized work at no charge we are able to provide free and effective response services to communities in need. Our programs are directed by the needs of each community in which we work, ensuring a timely, relevant, and culturally sensitive response. 

The project I applied for is Project Tohoku in Japan. 

On March 11, 2011 an earthquake and tsunami damaged Ofunato and Rikuzentakata, Japan, an estimated 2,400 people died and 7,200 houses were destroyed.  All Hands was invited to help, and has extended the project to September 2011 to keep working on debris removal and home rehabilitation so that families can return home.

If accepted it will be dirty and physical work and I will be outside for most of the day. I would work six days a week with each Tuesday off roam the area.  I would be living in an office building or rehabilitation center that has been converted to base camps.  Basically a large shared spaces with over 40 people sleeping in one room with a 10pm curfew.  I will be using Asian style toilets (which I can’t wait to find out what that means) and living as the Japanese do where shoes are not worn in the house so plan to have designated house-only slippers.

Keep your fingers crossed that I'm accepted :)