【Student Voice 2】International Students Volunteering for Disaster Recovery in Japan
Third-year student, School of Creative Science and Engineering LAU NICHOLAS ZHI XUAN
In the Noto Peninsula (Ishikawa):
I first discovered this volunteering opportunity through the WAVOC website. Their well-structured program, designed to make it easy for students to participate, immediately caught my attention. I thought to myself, “This is something I can contribute to—why not give it a try?”
I began volunteering in October, and each time, the activities were thoughtfully tailored to address the community’s immediate needs. On one occasion, our group was assigned to assist at the local food bank, distributing food products to residents. What might seem like everyday items to many of us—such as potatoes—brought overjoyed reactions from those who received them. Witnessing their gratitude was a profoundly touching experience. It made me reflect on the possessions and privileges we often take for granted and reminded me of how fortunate we are to have them.
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Another particularly memorable experience was clearing mud that had piled up behind a house. Following a heavy rainstorm in the summer of 2024, many areas experienced landslides and significant mud accumulation, compounding the challenges already faced after the tragic earthquake. Initially, the task felt overwhelming. The tall pile of mud seemed almost impossible to remove. However, under the hot sun, with everyone working together and putting forth their best effort, we managed to successfully restore the house’s drainage system. This experience taught me that even when challenges seem insurmountable, the power of teamwork can achieve remarkable outcomes.
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In Kesennuma (Miyagi) and Rikuzentakata (Iwate):
In addition to disaster recovery efforts, WAVOC also organizes educational study tours. I had the opportunity to join one focused on the recovery of Kesennuma City, a place devastated by the tsunami that followed the Tohoku earthquake in 2011. Hearing the firsthand account of a survivor who lost their family that day was deeply moving. Their story underscored the profound and lasting impact of such disasters. One lesson from the survivor that left a lasting impression on me was the importance of cherishing our family and friends, as we never know when we might see them for the last time.
These experiences have been incredibly meaningful and have taught me invaluable life lessons. Volunteering has enriched my perspective, and I would love to continue contributing to these efforts. I encourage anyone reading this to consider volunteering as well—it is truly a rewarding and transformative experience.
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