一般財団法人　連帯　東北・西南　RENTAI　TOHOKU-SEINAN

（Ms. A ・Age:60 ・ Female   Tokyo resident)

The fishermen of Katsurajima are comprised of about 90% who cultivate seaweed and 10% who cultivate oysters, and those who deal with seaweed are usually referred to as 'seaweed people'. Our work over three days was to help the seaweed people, and we participated in the production of rafts for cultivation. In good seasons during the cultivation period it is possible to harvest five times, the first three times of which are for seaweed, after which they are for seasoned seaweed and seaweed condiments. However a slight change in climate makes it necessary to go out to sea and harvest, otherwise the crop will be ruined, and therefore it is not possible to be off one's guard. The farmers feel that if they have even a small amount of income, they would like to purchase a drying machine and invest in the maintenance inspections that come with it.

（Ms. A ・Age:33 ・ Female   Saitama prefecture resident)

Details of activity：Helping the fishermen who cultivate seaweed (shearing ropes used for rafts)

Though the volunteer activities in Katsurajima aim to support people concerned with the fishery cooperatives and island residents, volunteers themselves can individually think about and then discuss what they felt as a result of their experience, and how to make use of these experiences in their daily lives and work. I feel that if they can maximize the feelings and thoughts they gained from this experience and materialize that in thier actions, it will heighten the importance of these volunteer activities.

With regard to the clean up of swimming beaches, I felt that due to the fact that collected rubbish can only be incinerated once in two weeks, and weather and sea conditions can cause the once-collected rubbish to be dispersed all over again, it would better to carry out this activity in a more organized way.

（Mr. I ・Age:34・Male   Tokyo resident)
 

[Situation of the island]

Seaweed drying machines (see photo) belonging to five fishermen were washed away by the tsunami. With one machine costing around 40 million yen, it is difficult to invest in new equipment, so they have decided to have joint use of the five drying machines that remain.

I felt that the work we carried out this time of cutting ropes necessary for raft production could have been done off-site. In other words if the rope and soldering iron are available, the work could done in Tokyo. Then, even those people who would like to participate in volunteer activities but cannot for various reasons, could participate in this type of work.

In fact, if we were to have people who can travel to the site take part in other activities, I think we would be able to increase the amount of help we can offer to the people of Katsurajima.

Details of activity：Helping with construction of rafts for seaweed cultivation; clearing the coastline

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（Mr.K・Age:47・Male  Tokyo resident）

While having the good fortune to enjoy weather that heralded the beginning of summer, we were drenched with sweat from our efforts and determination to clean up the coastline. During preparation of ropes to be used to make rafts for seaweed cultivation, we concentrated on our work in silence while imagining the delicious seaweed that would grow on the rafts that would be assembled using these ropes.
With only 200 rafts completed out of a total 800 needed, there is still a long way to go. However, the appreciation the fishermen showed for our efforts to help was impressive.
This small fishing village, abundant with the bounties of nature has experienced damage from last year's Chile earthquake, and now this year's major earthquake disaster. 'We've really had it' the fishermen would laugh, but behind their feelings to somehow move on, I felt that there must be an immeasurable amount of suffering and grief.

(Mr. H, Age 34, from Kanagawa)

Fishermen were cheery, but while cutting ropes for seaweed farm rafts, they told me that their struggle was in fact two years in a row as last year's Tsunami caused by the earthquake in Chile also destroyed their seaweed farms. Even so, I felt their determination to stay positive and find a way to overcome difficulties.
However, when they talked about their lives at evacuation centres, I could sense their various worries and stresses. Though what we can may be limited, I believe that it is important to go on providing support to them.

(Mr. K, Age 45, from Sendai)

As it was drizzling yesterday (11 June, 2011), all the fishermen made rafts for seaweed farms at the workshop.
While working, they chatted in their local dialect, with which they seemed to be able to express their feelings more clearly. As I understand their dialect, I could sense the immensity of the damage the earthquake brought to them.

Today (12th June, 2011), I joined a clean-up at a bathing beach. I felt at a loss seeing the enormous amount of wreckage. There would be a lot of fallen trees buried in sand, and more and more rubbles will be washed up on the beach. We must bear in mind that it will take a long time to recover the affected area.

(Mr. S, Age 41, from Saitama)

① At a workshop (Task: Rope cutting for seaweed farm rafts)
According to a fisherman, they have a goal to make 800 rafts the size of a 25 m swimming pool. When I was there, it was only about 150 rafts that had been made and their efforts still had an extremely long way to go.

②Beach clean-up

I helped to put junks on the beach in a pile. I was shocked to see three large bulk containers and four boats washed ashore. Foul smell of decayed fish was so disgusting that I could not even go close to a container which was giving off the strongest smell.

Activity description:  Administrative work (telephone operation and data entry) at "Urato Umi-no-ko Recovery Project" Head Office
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(Mr. W, Age 39, Tokyo)

I received phone calls and input the data of numerous facsimiles and letters sent by project supporters to the Head Office of Urat Umi-no-ko Recovery Project. Astonished by the huge amount of applications, I have realised an incredible number of people are actually supporting this project and that is why the fund as much as 160 million yen has been raised so far.

Activity description:  Administrative work (telephone operation and preparation for sending information materials) at "Urato Umi-no-ko Recovery Project" Head Office and beach clean-up
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(Ms. H, Age 28, Tokyo)

At the Head Office of Urato Umi-no-ko Recovery Project, I received many phone calls offering cooperation. Some left encouraging messages such as "Hang in there!", "I'd like to contribute even a little, so I'm buying one unit", "I'm happy to know my money will help Urato's fishery" and so on. One of the contributors who gave us a support call was over 80. Each time I answered such calls from all over Japan, I was overwhelmed by these people's enthusiasm to be of help to Tohoku and couldn't help but bow my head many times while talking on the phone.
I also filed a heap of facsimiled application forms for the project and input the data to the database. I  double- or even triple-checked to ensure all the information of the important contributors has been properly entered.
Some fishermen from Mie prefecture who were interested in this project visited the Head Office on the 5th June. They said that they had started preparation against possible Tokai Earthquake.

(Ms. A, Age 59, Tokyo)

I talked with some local people while cleaning the beach.
As they could not even demolish or remove destroyed houses and buildings, cleaning-up of beaches was not the top priority for them. Still, those who were hoping to promote tourism to the area were anxious about the recovery of beaches as an important sightseeing resource to attract people for sea bathing and fishing.

Activity description: Making floaters for seaweed farms, beach clean-up
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(Mr. N, Age 32, Tokyo)

During the volunteer work, I talked with a number of local people. Sadly, many seemed to have lost hope for the future. On the other hand, though what I could do to help them recover from the damage was extremely limited, some said that they felt encouraged by my efforts and promised to keep on trying to reconstruct their lives.
Money and goods will certainly help to recover the material damage. However, the complete reconstruction of the devastated area will take a long time and I am sure there will be a moment people will lose heart over difficulties. It is necessary to let them know that we are always with them throughout the process and express our determination to provide help and unbroken hope for the recovery of Tohoku.