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52行目: Being a foreigner and being from South Africa was not a barrier. Ishinomaki was a home away from home. People took care of me and I was warmly welcomed into their homes. They shared what little they had with me and I felt my presence was appreciated. I went there with a positive attitude. Getting up in that freezing cold each morning, from your sleeping bag took some getting used to. There was no hot water nor showers. After five to six hours a day deep in the muck and with a rancid smell, a warm shower would have been most welcomed but under the circumstances, a luxury. But for me just being there assisting and experiencing history in the making was food for my soul. The letters and cards that I received and continue to receive, are the invaluable treasures from my new friends and family. ----- Golden Week in Japan is similar to the Easter break in other parts of the world. For those lucky people fortunate enough this means having a week to unwind. For me, it was different. My wife knew it was time for me to pack and get back to the tsunami area. It is important to acknowledge the unfailing support of my dutiful wife. All my (7) trips into the disaster areas would have been impossible if it had not been for my wife, (Tokiko). March eleventh of 2011 saw me, like the world's millions, watching the disaster unfolding in absolute shock. Talking about a nuclear meltdown is something we do not take with a pinch of salt. Without stopping to know the safety issues and the dangers of the nuclear fallout I instinctively got ready to leave. Having someone by my side, understanding my drive to get to the disaster area and do what I can, is the most important factor on my many visits. The Americans declared an eighty kilometer radius and the Japanese government a thirty kilometre radius as as a no go area. That did not in any way change my planned schedule to get there as soon as possible. Back home my wife and daughter waited anxiously to hear from me. It may sound crazy but one does get so overcome by the enormity of this great disaster that one has no time to even think about fretting families. In the face of the disaster we soon forget about the people who might be worrying about us. You just do whatever you can and are able to do because there is no time to stop and think. Back in my tent it was freezing. I wanted desperately to call to say I was safe but there was no way to recharge my cellphone so ! ; every call had to be calculated in case of emergencies. Nevertheless too many calls home was a luxury we couldn’t have in the very beginning. ( as volunteers) My wife is the one who supports me mentally, spiritually and financially. This has been a turning point in my life in many ways . To have someone who is willing to support me is what sustains me through my volunteer work, despite the huge risks. On May 28th my Golden Week Holiday began and my bags were packed to catch the late night highway bus. My wife got home a bit early from work to pack some sandwiches and fruits for my trip. It was these ordinary, everyday acts of love and support that encouraged and kept me motivated. The trip was the usual twelve hour trip from Osaka city to Sendai City. I waited for an hour to catch the bus into Ishinomaki City. It is a ninety minute trip by bus. What a reception I received when I got to the base! I felt like I had never lef! t the place. The volunteer center where I had to sign in had been relocated. Some of the staff remembered me from my last trips and welcomed me as though I was a like a long lost celebrated friend and I was introduced to the new staff members. I did my rounds, saw the people that I met on my previous trips and got my work schedule set. We talked about the human misery in disasters but, behind the scenes lay man's best friends - the pets and farm animals. Like the people I had come to know, they resembled shadows that I occasionally bumped into. I joined the volunteers that went into the devastated areas to rescue animals and take them back to the shelters. On my first rescue assignment I had seen an array of carcasses of animals. floating ! in the rivers. It was such a tragic sight and I became emotionally dra ined. On my next trip I found it mildly easier to cope andhelped (support) an awareness project about the plight of pets in general. I made time to visit one of the shelters for animals which housed predominantly cats. I was told that the shelter held a family of eighty cats which need to be fed and cleaned daily. Some needed medical care. Some of these feline creatures just ignored me as I passed by .Some came all over me. I was touched not only by the cats but by the dedication of one Ms. Abe who was the mother to all the cats. I asked her how she could do this day in and day out She replied: " The same way you came over a thousand kilometers to share your know-how with people that meant nothing to you". I was curious and asked her what might that be. She told me that it comes down to one's humanity and love for all life forms. I spent a few hours with cats and soon had to get back to some other unfinished work. On my way to my next destination I designed a cat tower . I went to a friend in the community who is a carpenter. He told me to call him the next day and that he would have a mini cat tower ready for me to collect. We invited Ms. Abe to adjudicate on the construction of the cat tower and modify it if it was necessary. Well, suffice to say it is built and installed, and there are a few more orders for the cat towers! While I was visiting the cats and doing my other volunteer work I dropped in for a cup of tea at Matsumura’s Sports Shop. Mr. Matsumura has this new project. It is a greenery project. He has the support of one of the world’s best natural garden designers (Ishihara.Garden designer).I watched his DVD in the shop and I signed on to join this project. For many years I have been mountain cleaning in Japan. I am fond of the outdoors and nature in general. My wife and I have many varieties of herbs, flowers and other plants on our balcony. I have been collecting plants for this new greenery project. I have to be careful of the plants I choose to send up to that area because the winters are very harsh. I guess I will now have to learn about the climate and the type of plants that will flourish in them. This journey into the tsunami and earthquake devasted zones of Japan has been a life changing experience for me. I intend to do many more things and hopefully they will bring joy and comfort to many affected people. On a personal level, I hope my involvement reaffirms my belief in the undaunting spirit of the human race. I will be going back there, soon ==外部リンク==

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