Four of us signed up for a weekend of volunteer service at Ishinomaki, one of the most devastated areas by Tsunami in Sendai. We left Tokyo at midnight and drove overnight to Ishinomaki. Pic at Ishinomaki exit
Some pics enroute to Minato primary school
Getting ready at Minato primary school for cleaning job. We ended up doing nothing for the first hour which was very frustrating given so any people around the school needed help…..
All electric clocks in Tsunami affected area stopped at almost same time
Minato school auditorium converted to relief items distribution center….
Our cleaning job on day 1 – this house belongs to Abe San, a 75 year old widower who cannot clean his house by himself
Some pics in the neighbourhood of our work place taken during breaks
Even a small tak like taking a tsunami mud soaked rug out of hose turned out to be herculean task… Abe San is at the right. Had to admire his calmness……
More pics in the neighbourhood..
Sobue San with truck load of relief items. Her untiring efforts are admirable and source of inspiration
Group shot at the end of the day
Akiyu Onsen onsen in Iwanuyama was about 75 kms away from Minato Primary school. Looking at the beautiful sunset its hard to believe this place went through such a tragedy
Day 2 – APril 17th , we first cleaned a house in the AM session. After lunch we went to clean another school nearby. Second floor was OK but first floor was as took the full wrath of the 10 meter tsunami..
Hot bath (ofuro) at the Minato primary school
At the end of the day after finishing work we went to a cliff on the other side of the river. View from the cliff gives a glimpse in to the extent of devastation