First of all, I want to thank all the wonderful people in Canada who helped make my trip home such a valuable and uplifting experience. The generosity of Canadians never ceases to amaze me and also how globally aware our younger generations have become.
Since being back in Fukushima city, everything has seemed relatively normal. We have running, drinkable water, roads have been repaired and school started just a week late. On the surface, the city looks much like it did before the quake. That being said, people living in the city are struggling with the lingering effects of March 11th.
Classes have resumed which has played a huge role in restoring a sense of normalcy and routine. Students usually spend 12 hours at school, so I'm sure they are more grateful of the fact. From the outside, our school is unscathed, however 2 of my school buildings were deemed unsafe for use. So with true Japanese efficiency, within a few weeks they turned our second gym into 2 huge classrooms with over 80 kids in each. They are also using what used to be staff rooms and extra rooms to teach class.
This week I've been talking to the kids about how Canadians are thinking about them and donating generously to help them. I was afraid that when I got back, colleagues and students would treat me differently for leaving, however they were happy and slightly surprised to see me back for the start of classes.
I'm going to try and volunteer during Golden Week (~May 2-5) up north anywhere they will accept volunteers. Unfortunately, it starting to look like the are too many people that want to help, especially because this is the only time of year that most Japanese people take vacation.
There are some incredible people doing so much volunteer work and many of us want to do our part as well. I have sent these groups an e-mail so hopefully one of them will take me and I'll be able to relay more first-hand footage of the situation.
Video of an NPO: "On the Road"
One thing that is a constant concern living in Fukushima city is the radiation. The radiation levels are fairly low recently, however the government has made a plan to remove the topsoil from schools. I had a conversation with a teacher I'm very close with about potentially uprooting his family and moving to Aizuwakamatsu. Personally, I feel the levels are safe, but he is worried about his two daughters. He doesn't trust the government and wants his kids to move schools. It's very hard for me to imagine how I would react in his situation because I don't have children. This is something I'm sure many families are struggling with.
For the time being, all that I can do is give students a familiar setting and in my free time, do my best to help those less fortunate.
