View Japan Relief Efforts<\/a> in a larger map<\/small><\/p>\n View Japan Relief Efforts<\/a> in a larger map<\/small><\/p>\n The ones we’re aware of to date (8\/12\/11) are:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 Smile Kids Japan<\/strong><\/a> (founded by Mike Maher-King<\/strong><\/a> (Fukui<\/a>-ken, 2006-11)<\/strong> collaborating with Tokyo-based NPO Living Dreams<\/strong><\/a> to form the Smiles & Dreams Tohoku Kids’ Project<\/strong><\/a> (among other efforts).<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 The Fruitree Project<\/strong><\/a>, started by Paul Yoo<\/a> (Akita<\/a>-ken)<\/strong>, which has now evolved into Volunteer AKITA<\/strong><\/a> and has led to the Big CLEAN<\/strong><\/a> which has already brought volunteers to help cleaning efforts in Kessenuma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 I’ve heard\u00a0 that Fukushima<\/a> JETs have been organizing efforts to clean up the beaches, but I don’t have any details.\u00a0 Can anyone provide more info?<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 Hearts For Haragama<\/strong><\/a> (http:\/\/hearts4haragama.wordpress.com<\/a>).\u00a0 Billy McMichael (CIR Fukushima<\/a>)<\/strong> is one of the 7 founders of project aimed at raising funds for the Haragama Youchien kindergarten in Soma, Fukushima.\u00a0 (Thanks to former JETAA DC President Michelle Spezzacatena for passing this on.)<\/em><\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 “Kat Geeraert<\/strong><\/a>, an ALT in Soma<\/strong> (Fukushima<\/strong><\/a>), is doing an amazing job with her foundation “Friends of Soma<\/a><\/strong>.”\u00a0 http:\/\/www.somafriends.com\/<\/a> (Thanks to Catherine Lefrancois (JHS ALT in Fukushima<\/a>-ken, Fukushima-shi) for passing this on.)<\/em><\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 AJET<\/strong><\/a> is playing a significant role in facilitating and coordinating volunteer efforts for current JETs and has also been collaborating with other good organizations\/efforts such as Peace Boat<\/strong>, Foreign Buyers Club<\/strong> and 5toSurvive<\/strong>.\u00a0 (Thanks to Cailin Arena (Osaka<\/a>) for passing this on.) 7.\u00a0 “Save Miyagi<\/a><\/strong> was founded by Canon Purdy<\/a> (Miyagi<\/a>-ken, 2008-10)<\/strong> to help out students in Minamisanriku<\/strong>. Canon is currently back in Japan, working with officials to see where the money will be used.”\u00a0 (Thanks to Jen Wang<\/strong><\/a> (<\/em>Miyagi<\/a>-ken<\/strong>) for passing on the info.)<\/em><\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 Hotdogs and Hugs<\/strong><\/a> is an aid organization formed by Saga-ken JETs.\u00a0 Among other things, they organized a volunteer group that traveled all the way from Saga (western Kyushu) up to Tohoku, collecting donations and fundraising along the way.\u00a0 (Thanks to Ling Tran (Saga<\/a>-ken, Yoshinogari-shi, 2009-11) for passing on the info.)<\/em><\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 Osaka AJET<\/a>:<\/strong> “We have done extensive food drives and collections through our schools we work in, those goods, money, supplies have then been coordinated with Kozmoz International<\/strong> (A small not-for profit in Kyoto) and we have taken the needed items to Tohoku ourselves.\u00a0 We will be doing another drive across Osaka, hopefully in dozens of schools where JETs are placed from the start of this second term.”\u00a0 (Thanks to Matthew Cook<\/a>, who serves as both AJET Chair and is a member of Osaka AJET, for sharing this info.)<\/em><\/p>\n 10. \u00a0The MUD Project<\/a>:<\/strong> It turns out that Colin Renie (CIR Yamagata-ken, 2007-10) <\/strong>has been running a volunteer project that has enabled many JETs to volunteer in Tohoku with particular emphasis on Minamisanriku<\/strong> as well as other areas of Miyagi<\/strong> and Iwate<\/strong>. \u00a0Lots of good info, photos and updates on the project’s Facebook page: \u00a0https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mudproject<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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