The Footbath Squad

Today, I'd like to talk about the footbath squad- a group of volunteers sent by the Nippon Foundation through the Road Project.

The inspiration for the "footbath squad" originated from the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.

Much of the volunteer work in the devastated areas involves hard labor such as busting accumulated mud from the tsunami and cleaning up after the debris and rubble.

Yet, the footbath squad focuses on emotional support.  By warming the feet and at the same time offering a hand massage, it offers a place to relax and breathe. A place where people can come together.

The volunteers listen as some of its users talk of their frightening experiences. Doing so, it hopes to ease the anxiety of the people. And by listening, it seeks to pick up the needs of the people in specific areas.

A few days ago, I participated as a member in the footbath squad- a squad sent to Yamamotocho in Miyagi-prefecture. We offered foot baths over the weekend to the people now living in the temporary houses in the region.

I heard elderly people talking about how they do not want to die here (in the temporary houses). About how all their pictures had been taken away by the tsunami so they don't even have a nice funeral picture.

Many talked about the limited space that was provided by the temporary housing.  Compared to their houses that had been washed away, many felt cramped and stressed out in their new homes.

Although I could only nod and listen to some of their painful stories and frightening experiences, I was happy when some of the people gave us positive feedback:

"Yesterday, the footbath allowed me to sleep so well. That's why I came back today"

"The footbath is so relaxing!  Do, come again!!"

Even the kids seemed to enjoy the foot bath. There is not much play area in the area of the temporary houses so many seemed intrigued and curious. Their school pool had been taken away by the tsunami so the kids found it as a replacement for the pool. They really seemed to like the bath oil because it added color to the foot bath.

What we provided was only something small. But I hope the people in Yamamotocho were able to enjoy our footbath. And that we were able to warm their feet, hands, and hopefully- hearts, as well.

Our signboard for the footbath. We put a lot of effort into this one !!

A lot of the kids brought their friends along so we used the huge tub-
this was more like a foot "pool" instead of footbath ;)