The Japan ICU Foundation has provided a $3,000 grant to Youth for 3.11 to support student volunteer efforts in Tohoku. Youth for 3.11 is the largest student organization in Japan committed to providing relief and reconstruction after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The grant will enable ICU students (and UC students studying abroad at ICU) to volunteer in Tohoku with Team Asunaro, one of Youth for 3.11’s many partners. Team Asunaro is a grassroots group of French car enthusiasts who drive to Tohoku once a month to volunteer.

Along with providing much needed help to those still affected by the earthquake and tsunami, the program also intentionally seeks to build bonds between regular ICU students and student studying abroad at ICU. Derek Yamashita, an ICU OYR from UC Santa Barbara, wrote a wonderful post on his blog about his recent experience volunteering with Team Asunaro in Onagawa City. According to Derek, on the recent trip the Team Asunaro volunteers spent time at a local primary school and helped local fishing industry with their wakame harvest. Please click here to read his blog.

The Japan ICU Foundation would like to thank the many donors here in the United States who have so generously supported our continuing earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Through your valuable and thoughtful contributions, Team Asunaro, Youth for 3.11 and ICU students can continue their great partnership for Tohoku!