Oshima, the green pearl (Part 2)

That night we stayed at a Japanese style hotel- now used as a place of shelter for some of the people at Oshima.The water system had just started working a few days ago in May so the owner told us to please use their bath.

Later into the night, the owner's son shared with us his experience during the earthquake and tsunami. In his talk,we learned of many things.

We learned...

How Oshima Island had acted as a barrier for Kesennuma, minimizing some of the damage to the mainland.

How the American troops were very helpful through their Operation Tomodachi. (So, Thank you, U.S.A, for your support to my country and my people.)

How the car ferry we came on had just restarted on April 27th (it took 50 days), enabling more supplies to be delivered to the island. I was excited to hear that the NGO I'm supporting, the CIVIC FORCE took part in the reactivation of this car ferry.

He talked of many many things, but what stood out to me most was when he mentioned how thankful he was to the many people that had supported him during this crisis. Friends of friends, people he did not know had reached out to him and his family.

The following day we went to a house- a house that was no longer there... Our job was to help clean up the fishing equipment. 

Fishing nets were everywhere. Tangled, heavy with mud from the tsunami. And in the mess we came across dead fish, squid, and even a dead shark.

The owner of the place was busy and only showed up for a bit. But a nearby neighbor helped us and gave us instruction as we were not familiar with much of the equipment.

They both had baseball caps on that read,

「がんばれ、東日本」
"ganbare, Higashi-Nihon!" (Persevere/Never Give Up, Northeast Japan!)

The people here are amazingly strong.  I thought I went to Tohoku to help. But at times, I felt I was the one given energy and hope from the people there.

This beach at Oshima Island is ranked 2nd nationally for its beauty, after a beach in Okinawa. The water is green. That's why Oshima Island is called the Green Pearl.

When you arrive on the car ferry, you are met by a huge pile of debris.

Before we left, the owner of the Japanese style hotel told us to please visit them again.  To visit Oshima Island in the future, not to volunteer but for a vacation.

One day in the far future, I hope to do so.

But right now, I hope for more volunteers to make it to the island. Like many of the other devastated regions, much support is needed there.