DD to North Japan for Volunteer Relief Work

[DiscoveryDiver]

...I've enjoyed a good life here for about 16 years, and I feel a strong urge to give back...

It took many days of research and negotiation, but I was finally able to confirm a role in the participation of the relief effort (I've never found it so challenging to give away my time ). Next week is a holiday week, so there was an inundation of offers from folks who want to go up and offer services....

Most places are buried with requests from good-natured folks with no special skills (beyond a good heart) who will need to be supported with food/water/accommodation while there.

I was able to make contact with a relatively switched-on relief organization (All Hands) and qualified for participation at this stage since I:

- Have my own transportation (a 4WD van)
- Have my own accommodation (Hammock/stand or in the van)
- Will bring my own food/water for a week
- Have extensive experience with demolition/general carpentry
- Can bring my own demolition/carpentry tools

The Plan:
This Saturday morning (if all goes as planned) I will leave early for the 9-hour drive up north to Iwate to aid in cleanup and light reconstruction of one of the towns there (I've not been assigned a location yet) in the area that was worst hit by the tsunami.

I'll be 200km from the nuclear "hot zone" so no worries there....though I will be ground zero in the possible (but unlucky) event of another tsunami . My family is not totally enthusiastic, but superficially supportive since they know it's a good cause .

I'll aim to bring my stand and set up my hammock w/ Superfly for accomodation.


This is my list to bring:

Clothes/Protection
- Goggles/mask
- Gloves (rubber and leather)
- Steel-toe boots and rubber covers
- Carter canvas work clothes
- Chain saw protective gear and helmet, just in case I need to use one
- Assorted clothes for cold/warm weather (no showers/washing)
- Rain poncho/rain suit

Camping/Emergency
- First aid kit
- Hammock/stand
- Exped (TQ) and UQ
- Thermarest (Just in case)
- Backpack
- Stoves (2)
- Gas for both stoves
- Food for a week (mostly dehydrated meals)
- Snacks galore
- Water for a week (bottled)
- Head lamp/batteries
- iPhone
- External iPhone battery/charger
- Tape/markers for labeling gear/tools
- Electric generator
- Gasoline

Tools
- General carpentry hand tools
- Electric power tools (rechargeable) drill/driver, circular saw, sagital saw
- Demolition tools (crow bars, hammers, cat's claws, axes, chisels)

...and still thinking...

The Job:
Part of the time will be spent digging mud and debris out of living and communal spaces...then in some places temporary flooring will be replaced/built in homes and public buildings, and possibly aid in the construction of temporary shelters.

With thousands of missing still buried in the mud and debris, there is the very real probability of encountering some carnage I've not seen previously in my life...but I don't suppose there's any way to prepare yourself for that until it happens...

If can maintain power and 3G connectivity, I'll try to post a daily update beginning this weekend...I have a lot of preparation to do in the meantime...

Jim

[Joey]

I will pray your physical and emotional stamina are up to this much needed task. It is good that they have so many willing to volunteer. Also good that there is a screening and organized process to the volunteer effort.

Hang tough and Best Wishes!!

[ShadowAlpha]

wow! Jim. thats great that you can go there to help.
Looks like you have all the right gear

Have a safe trip & be safe during your time there!

[richtorfla]

Good luck on your work and I hope you will be able to help out lots of families and help restore some of their quality of life!

[DiscoveryDiver]

Many thanks for the support...I'm sure I'll need it!

[Rain Man]

So good to hear when folks volunteer! Last May Nashville had a terrible flood. A dozen folks were killed and many lost their homes permanently. In the year since, organized volunteerism has really helped so much, and the work is going on. God bless bona fide volunteers everywhere! Thanks for sharing, Jim.

Rain Man

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[oldgringo]

Good on you!

Take something to dig with, a chain, a come along if you have one, face masks...what a horrible thing to contemplate...

[Bradley]

Jim I hope and pray
that you do well
with all that is thrown your way.
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[millarky]

Peace and strength be with you.

Take twice as many rubber gloves as you think you need.
Odor is powerful emotionally; have a really good mask and amend with a bandanna you can part with/throw away.

[ShadowAlpha]

Jim - bring vicks rub if you can! you can put a little on your upper lip to keep smells away. A friend of mine worked many disasters & when working Katrina - driving in boats all day in the heat with floating bodies & all the wastes in the water she said the vicks saved her from the smells.