From the third day onwards, I finally worked as a support volunteer for the Disaster Volunteer Center at the volunteer center staff, evacuation centers, and temporary housing.
At the Disaster Volunteer Center, each person provided various support, such as the reception desk, supply corner, guide to the bus, support for matching needs and volunteers, and setting up a washing area. Through this experience, I was able to answer questions accurately and provide information that would allow them to carry out their activities with peace of mind.
In the footbath activity at the evacuation center, the footbath service has a healing effect on the hearts of the residents, and I was able to hear various stories.As the number of people leaving the shelters is increasing, I felt the importance of staying close to the anxiety and loneliness of those who remained.
In the temporary housing, the residents told their stories about the time of the disaster, how they lived in evacuation shelters for a long time, and about the temporary housing. I realized that there are many things I haven't done.
In addition, together with the social workers of the Council of Social Welfare, who are active in rebuilding the ties of the community that has been divided by this disaster, we made signboards and leaflets in the common room and made door-to-door visits to build ties. It also hit.As a culmination, we were able to support the event, including the preparation stage, for the event "Everyone Supports Carp" to encourage residents to become energetic and connect.
For lodging, we rented the facilities of the Catholic Kure Church and lived together in sleeping bags for a week in large rooms with separate genders.It must have been a difficult day for the students who participated in the activities, reflecting on their daily activities, and recording their days. It's been a week since I was able to do it.At the same time, it was also a week in which we were able to conversely be energized by the residents who are trying to do their best even in such a difficult situation.I think it was also a great opportunity to learn social work in times of disaster.
*This activity is based on a request for cooperation from the Japan Federation of Social Work Education Schools, and with the cooperation of the National Council of Social Welfare in coordinating the content of activities. This is an activity that was adopted as a subsidized project.
(Responsible: Yuko Iwamoto, Department of Welfare)
