Ofunato Updates from Amya 2

Amya, currently working as a volunteer interpreter for All Hands Volunteers has sent us a follow up report to the last post from July 1:

Hello again,

This posting isn't necessarily a happy one but it reflects some of what I heard in Ofunato and as such, I wanted to share it with you.

What's Not Reported

As I sat over dinner with a city council official from Ofunato he shared with me and those around me stories I had yet to hear.

"We appreciate all the coverage we've gotten, you know," he says.  "But, there's a lot that's not being reported."  The people around the table nod, knowingly.

"We're not the only ones affected by March 11th."  I press for details.

"Niigata, for example," he continues.  "It wasn't affected by the tsunami, of course."  There's more nodding.  "But, the earthquake really made a mess there.  The press doesn't report that." 

This is news to me.  What he says is true.  I have yet to hear any story about Niigata.  It didn't occur to me there would be serious earthquake damage the media hasn't covered.

"It's not just that," he says.  "The media isn't covering the suicides."  The table falls silent.  Everyone seems to be thinking.

I hear story after story about people, young and old, who have taken their lives.  I'm shocked.  To date, I had seen strength, perseverance and resolve among those with whom I worked.  I had suspected there were those who were not faring well, but to know now as fact is disturbing.

I hear of the dairy farmer in Fukushima who can't sell milk or meat from his now contaminated farm.  He hanged himself in the barn.  I hear of the young man who saved his grandparents from the tsunami, only to go into the woods with a rope.  I hear story after story or tragic loss.

I continue to scan the newspapers I see, the magazine advertisements in the trains and see nothing about either story.  I don't know what to make of this but find myself grateful, if nothing else for the knowledge.  Terrible as it is, knowing there are more lives who need help, I hope I can continue to work on behalf of those in Tohoku who so desperately need help.

Amya