[Report] Project HOPE: 2/2

Down to Ishinomaki from Morioka and HOPE volunteers

(…Continued from [Report] Project HOPE: 1/2)

On June 1st, Mr. Gerber of Project HOPE, his wife Carrie and I went down to Ishinomaki through coast line via Otsuchi, Rikuzen Takata, Kesennuma to meet with Project HOPE volunteers. This was my first visit to disaster areas, I was stilled for some moments. Mr. Gerber mentioned that it was remarkable that most of core roads were re-opened and paved neatly within this short period. Rubbles were started to be collected and huge heap of rubbles were generated all over the place.

At Ishinomaki, we were able to meet all the deployed HOPE volunteers there. We first went to Yurakukan, where patient refugees who need directly-observed therapy though not so serious were hosted.

Dr. Watanabe was in charge of this facility and served as a resident under management of a local doctor who came this facility 2 to 3 times a week. He mentioned that Project HOPE volunteers stay two weeks longer than any other Japanese volunteer teams who were deployed (usually 3 – 5 days rotation) thus refugees showed more trust and appreciation to them. Then we went to Ishinomaki Royal Hospital where other HOPE volunteers served. At Short Stay Base there, we met Dr. Ouchi, Nurse Sawyer, Nurse Kawasaki, Nurse Samejima and Nurse Ueda. They all mentioned that this volunteer experience was precious and also showed great interest to participate in the Project HOPE’s international medical relief operation outside of Japan in the future.

As these volunteers mentioned, it would be a great learning for them to understand how to work under different medical system.

Reported by Haruko Nishida, Secretary General IMPACT Foundation Japan

[Report] Project HOPE: 1/2 – MOU Ceremony between Project HOPE and Iwate Prefecture