Opportunities to Volunteer

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日本語
Here are just a few volunteering opportunities you can get involved in to support the Tohoku region. If you would like to suggest a project, please send an email vol.aid@ajet.net at any time.

Peace Boat
Peace Boat As new JETs, naturally, your first priority is to acclimatize yourself to a new working and living environment, especially over the coming months. Once you feel comfortable with your situation, however, you may be interested in volunteering in an area affected by the March 11 disasters. Volunteering can be a wonderful experience, and one that can be enriched by working on a team with your friends, community members, or even completely new acquaintances.Peace Boat is a Tokyo-based organization that has 27 years of experience coordinating large numbers of volunteers, and 15 years of experience working in disaster relief. National AJET has always recommended volunteering with the support of an established organization that has close local ties. And over the last few months, we have had the fortune to work closely with Peace Boat with the goal of providing relief efforts in the city of Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture.

For more information on volunteering with Peace Boat, please see National AJET’s website at www.ajet.net or check out Peace Boat’s Relief Efforts website: http://peaceboat.jp/relief/.

Smiles and Dreams: The Tohoku Kids Project
SKJ Smile Kids Japan is an organization created by former Fukui JET Michael Maher-King. What started as an initiative to arrange once a month visits to orphanages by volunteer teams has developed into a nationwide project with active teams in 27 prefectures.Immediately after the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, SKJ mobilized. The all-JET executive team created a structured plan to bring aid to orphanages and children in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. Smile Kids Japan then partnered with fellow orphanage-focused organization Living Dreams and the two organizations created Smiles & Dreams: Tohoku Kids’ Project which provides immediate and long-term support to orphanages in Tohoku and the children they care for that have been affected by the March 11th disaster.

Most current SKJ volunteers are JETs, and we hope through regular updates and promotion we can continue to gain support. It is the goal of SKJ to have volunteer visits to every orphanage in Japan within the next 3 years. If you are interested in setting up orphanage visits in your area, or getting involved with SKJ’s efforts, please see our website at: http://www.smilekidsjapan.org/

volunteerAkita
volunteerAKITA is a community based organization formed by the JETs and Japanese community in Akita prefecture. Our goal is simple, improving the quality of life for those in need through volunteering, service and lots of LOVE. Our organization encompasses two initiatives: The Fruit Tree Project, which has raised over ￥1,243,742 and delivered approximately 31,044 fresh fruits to shelters throughout the Tohoku area, and the BIG CLEAN, which has logged 763 hours of volunteering in clean up/recovery efforts. Together we can provide strength, assistance, and encouragement for the communities that need it most. Let’s help rebuild Tohoku for the future!Our website is: www.volunteerakita.org

Foreign Buyers Club
FBC FBC is working with Second Harvest Japan to ensure that the food and supplies purchased on its website site are delivered to the people who need them the most, with minimum being spent on overhead charges such as shipping.By offering only a small range of disaster-specific items, FBC can ensure these products are as cheap as possible and the items on offer reflect the current needs of the area. Due to Second Harvest’s regular, direct contact with the people living in Tohoku they are able to gather information about what is needed and quickly relay this to FBC.

A regularly updated list is available on the AID 4 OTHERS section of their website. Simply enter the code AID4OTHERS at check out and your order will be sent directly to those most in need in the Tohoku area by either Second Harvest Japan or CRASH. All orders placed this way will receive a 10% discount as well as free shipping. This promotion has been extended until September.

5toSurvive
5toSurvive 5toSurvive: Running for Japan was an event created to help those affected by the March 11th Earthquake & Tsunami. We had events happening all over Japan and many other countries including, England, Singapore, America, Canada as well as an event in Africa. Everyone that took part ran, walked, skipped or rode a course that they created to a distance of 5km. Hundreds of people took part all over the world and in all types of weather to raise just over 3,000,000yen. Another event is in the works, so if you’re interested in getting involved, please see our website at: http://5tosurvive.org/

T-shirt Sales
shirt National AJET will also be selling t-shirts specially designed for this year’s Tokyo Orientation at the AJET Information Centre. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Tohoku Relief Efforts. And if purchasing casual apparel while helping out a good cause is what you’re into, check out the Fukushima JET-organized t-shirt fundraiser at http://fukushimatshirt.blogspot.com/!

The latest Volunteering News…

  • Mathew Cook, AJET Chair, on the One Year Anniversary of the Tohoku Disasters 日本語 It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since that tragic day, when all our lives changed and all of us saw Japan affected in a way we never imagined.  Here in Osaka, when the world slowly started swaying, I had no idea how coming months would shap...
  • JET Alumni working to secure music grants for schools in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi-ken Margarita Rozenbaoum of Relief International (an international humanitarian nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles) is reaching out the JET alum and JET community to secure music grants for schools in Iwate, Fukushima and Miyagi-ken. This project, ca...
  • Miyagi AJET launches grant program in honor of Taylor Anderson Miyagi AJET has launched a Micro Grant Program in honor of Taylor Anderson intended to “empower JETs with financial support in their efforts to fulfill the goals of the JET Programme in and outside of school.” Read below for full details (via Miyagi A...
  • AJET Relief Fund: Typhoons 15 & 16, Talas, Roke Earlier this year, the Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (AJET) established a monetary relief fund in order to provide JET program participants affected by the March 11th disasters with financial aid. The fund has been open for a period of...
  • What is JET Endurance? JET Endurance JET Endurance is new charity set up by former JETs in the UK who feel passionately about Japan and want to do all they can to give something back to the country that they once called home. The one thing that seemed obvious in the afte...
  • Volunteering Opportunities to Help Victims of Typhoon #12 (Talas) Last week, typhoon #12 (Talas) left a grave wake of damage in its trail. The most heavily affected areas in Nara, Wakayama and Mie prefectures have already begun mobilizing to assist those who are in the most need. JET participants have also suffered loss...
  • Return to Tohoku - The Road to Recovery Michael Blodgett is a former JET Program participant who lived and worked in Miyagi from 2005-2007. He is originally from the Chicago area and is currently living and working in Osaka. Michael recently participated in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spon...
  • Biwa Bottle Boat Challenge Hello everyone, my name is Dusty Wittman, I am an ALT in Shiga-ken and I would like to take a moment of your time to tell you about an exciting project I have been working on with my friend Roxy Borowska (also an ALT in Shiga). Having been to Ishinomak...
  • U.S. Volunteers Bring Relief to Japan (Video) It was an unexpected place to find a fourth of July party, but this celebration was also designed to lift the spirits of survivors in japan's tsunami disaster zone. it's been four months since the torrent of water battered this coast, and young americans ...
  • The Tohoku Summer Volunteering Project Peace Boat and AJET are Teaming Up for The Tohoku Summer Volunteering Project Please read this letter from Founder and Director of Peace Boat, Yoshioka Tatsuya. As we settle into the summer months that signal the end of contracts and/or natsuyasumi ...
  • Foreign Buyer’s Club Promotion Extension The Foreign Buyer’s Club AID 4 OTHERS promotion has been extended until September. The FBC are working with Second Harvest Japan to see what items are most need in the Tohoku area. A regularly updated list is available on the AID 4 OTHERS section of th...
  • AJET Relief Fund Application The application to receive support from the AJET Relief fund is now available. JET Programme participants as well as alums and friends have come together to support JETs in areas effected by the March 11th earthquake and tsunami. In this time of rebuil...
  • Looking for Home Communications Managers Are you a warm-hearted, motivated and organised individual looking for a way to support your community during this difficult time? Can you guarantee that you will be in Japan for at least one more year? Smile Kids Japan has partnered with Living...
  • Donating Supplies by Foreign Buyers Club Currently one of the most pressing needs in the Tohoku region is a steady supply of food and other necessities. Food drives and donations in local areas are useful but the cost of shipping can sometimes be more expensive than the items themselves. F...
  • The Fruit Tree Project Hello, my name is Paul Yoo and I am a current JET in Yurihonjo, Akita.  In wake of the recent disaster, we, in Akita, have actively been involved in the relief efforts and are doing our best to contribute in this time of need. The Fruit Tree Project spawn...
  • Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson JET Community Tribute AJET are collecting letters/postcards from the community for an online tribute to two devoted and sorely missed JETs -  Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson. Please visit http://najettribute.blogspot.com/ to read the current post cards received. Letter...
  • Our Condolences To our great sorrow, we have lost another member of the JET community, Monty Dickson, to the tragic events on March 11th.   Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Monty throughout this period of mourning. Previously, we asked the...
  • AJET Cares Dear JET Participants, As you know, many JETs live in areas that were heavily affected by the earthquake and tsunami. Though relief agencies have been making headway, some regions are still without regular access to power, heat, or supplies. NAJET h...
  • The Crane Campaign The Crane Campaign was created immediately following the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan on 11 March 2011 by two British ex-ALTs from the JET Programme (1993-1995 Shizuoka-ken) and a web designer who wanted to involve local school children in the U...
  • Blood Donation Form Many people have tried to give blood but have been turned away.  If it's a language barrier problem, please print this translated blood donation form, complete it, and bring this form the next time you try. Blood Donation Form - 154KB PDF...
  • Volunteer & Donation Information By Prefecture The following chart is a breakdown of prefecture volunteer & donation activities. Volunteer Information Donations Information Event Information Hokkaido Volunteer Donations Events Tohoku (Aomori, Iw...
  • Peace Boat taking volunteers from Tokyo to Tohoku Area 日本語 National AJET is coordinating with the NGO, Peace Boat, to send JETs wishing to volunteer in the Tohoku area. Peace Boat is working specifically in the town of Ishinomaki, in Miyagi prefecture. Each Friday for the next 3-4 weeks they will bring...
  • Can Up for Japan! First you Maned up for Japan, now it’s time to Can Up! National AJET would like to thank everyone who Maned Up for Japan. The response was amazing with over 4500 people signing up to the Facebook campaign. For many of you, you might be thinking ‘w...
  • Guide to Creating Food and Supply Drives Contents Introduction What can be accepted? How to set up a drive How to send the food you collect How to advertise your food drive Organisations accepting donations General Tips How to donate money Introduction By this point chance...
  • Taylor Anderson Tribute Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Taylor Anderson, a 3rd year ALT in Miyagi prefecture.  The loss of a JET community member is a devastating one and she will not be forgotten.  She was a valuable member in her community and was de...
  • Kansai Cares - Osaka AJET 日本語 Osaka AJET in collaboration with the fine establishment owners of Osaka are collecting food, daily needs supplies, and money for victims of the Tohoku Earthquake of March 11th, 2011. From Tuesday, March 29th through April 1st, volunteers will be ...
  • 3000 Letters for Japan “3000 Letters for Japan” is a letter-writing project created by Gunma JET Jessie Zanutig, directed to students in Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures who were affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami. Thousands of people around the world are writ...
  • What is 5toSurvive? Been wondering what all the facebook statuses were about? Ready to find out what 5toSurvive is really about? 5toSurvive is an International walking/running event organised by Tom Cole, and English teacher in Ishikawa. Please see his message below to se...
  • Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fundraising Events Everyone needs a break from the constant news coverage on occasion. For those of you in unaffected areas, we highly encourage you to stay informed and aware of any changes to safety recommendations, but don’t drive yourself crazy obsessing over implau...
  • Media Sources and Information Providers National AJET is working to offer support and resources to the JET community in light of the earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region, as well as with the situation with the Fukushima nuclear plant. We have no inside information, no direct quotes ...
  • Volunteer Information for People in Japan 日本語 Special thanks to Koko Peters for the Japanese translation. You can view it below. You may find it useful to print the Japanese version of this document to help explain what you want to do to Japanese teachers and staff. AJET and Smile Kids Jap...
  • Earthquake Data and Probability (Graph 6 is the important part for people to read.) The original Japanese Press Release can be found here: http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/press/1103/13b/kaisetsu201103131255.pdf Press Release 13 March 2011, 12:55 PM Japan Meteorological Agency Regar...
  • AJET Relief Fund AJET would like to announce that we will be collecting money to specifically address JET needs in areas affected by the earthquake and tsunami. We also encourage donations to relief efforts directed at the community at large (JEN: http://tinyurl.com/4sp8m...
  • Volunteering and Support - PLEASE READ We really appreciate the overwhelming support that JETs all around the country have expressed for the people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku. For those of you who were unaffected, I know it's hard to just sit around. However, it is best n...
  • Scheduled Blackouts and Energy Conservation Request Scheduled Blackouts and Energy Conservation Request 3/13/2011 - Tokyo Electric Power Company Co. Ltd. The earthquake that occurred off the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Tohoku region of Japan on the 11th of March has heavily impacted facilities such a...
  • Emergency Procedures/Information & Evacuation Card This is available for anybody who needs it. Please feel free to share/use as necessary. It is a condensed version of Emergency Procedures/information on what to do before/during/after an emergency. Emergency Response Guide Word Document - 127KB Eme...
  • Japan Person Finder ...
  • ATTENTION ALL JETS! As all of you must be aware of by now, the earthquake that occurred on March 11 off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture has caused extensive damage to Northern Japan. CLAIR, the embassies, and prefectural advisors are all working to confirm the safety and ...
  • TSUNAMI WARNINGS Aftershocks are still coming, STAY AWAY FROM THE SEA. Keep away from things that will tumble down (walls, vending machines, telephone poles, etc.), stay under a table or solid object until the shaking stops. If your building is not safe, find the near...