US Ambassador participated in reconstruction work in Ofunato
[From Ofunato city-my stricken home town]
– East Japan Great Earthquake & Tsunami Disaster-
Mr. John Victor Roos visited Ofunato, Rikuzen-takata and Ohtsuchi
Mr. John Victor Roos, the USA Ambassador to Japan, visited tsunami stricken Rikuzen-takata, Ofunato, and Ohtsuchi on June 28. He tried to grasp the situation of damages through local officers in these cities and town and participated to volunteer works as well. The ambassador had a private conversation with Mr. Kimiaki Toda, the mayor of Ofunato city, and then dropped in to the stricken showroom of service station where volunteers under the ‘All Hands’ based on the US were working. He encouraged members who were trying to dismantle the damaged building. Mr. Ambassador and members of the embassy also participated in working with them. They were all soaked in sweat.
“I found volunteer people from all over the world came arrived and participate for reconstruction of the stricken site. I could make sure that our world is really one. And I am also deeply impressed by tsunami victims who trying to reconstruct their town in the difficult condition. I am sure that they will be able to recover their town perfectly.’ The US Ambassador expressed.
Mr. Roose also extended visiting to Yonesaki Elementary School in Rikuzen-takata city and Ohtsuchi Senior High School in Ohtsuchi town. In Yonesaki Elementary School, an American English teacher, Mr. Montgomery Dixon had worked before the disaster. Unfortunately, he lost life at the tsunami. Several stories that Mr. Dixon had been in the school while alive were reported from the principal. The US Ambassador encouraged school children and shook hands with them.
While Mr. Roose exchanges communication with tsunami victims at Ohtsuchi Senior High Scool, he shared barbecue with the victims.
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John Victor Roos (born February 14, 1955) is the United States Ambassasor to Japan. Before accepting the ambassadorship from President Barak Obama, Roos was the CEO of Silicon Valley-base law firm Wilson Spmsomo Goodrich & Rosati. |
About Project Tohoku under NPO All Hands
The March 11 earthquake and tsunami damaged 7,200 homes in Rikuzentakata and Ofunato, Japan leaving 26,000 people in shelters and precarious living situations. This was compounded by damage to local industry, resulting in an economic loss equivalent to three years’ worth of the area’s GDP.
Following invitation by the Mayor of Ofunato, we have been operating in Southern Iwate for almost three months. Our volunteers are making an impact in the community but the level of need remains high. As a result, we have extended the project through September 30.
＜Reference＞
http://mainichi.jp/
http://www.kahoku.co.jp/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://hands.org/
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Comment from Howard Wesley
Time 10/03/2012 at 01:25
looking to make a living helping others. I have been doing flooring for 15 yrs. Willing to travel overseas to help out with the reconstructino efforts for comparible pay. Not looking to make a mint just want to support my family too, and if it can be done helping others in need, then it is a noble job.