On December 2nd, 2011, JETAA Toronto hosted a Speaker Series event at the Japan Foundation which focused around a panel of individuals that have experienced the disaster and its aftermath first hand.
JETAA was fortunate enough to have a total panel of 6 individuals, 2 of them joined us live via Skype from Japan.
Shaney Crawford, who joined live via Skype, currently organizes a team on the ground to provide assistance from digging mud, organizing events for affected community members to helping out in food kitchens.
Jay Ishida, who also joined us via Skype, has been a JET participant for the past 3 years and is involved in ongoing fundraisers and on-site volunteer work. This holiday season, he will be hosting a Christmas party at an orphanage for the children who were affected by the disaster.
Amber Hildebrandt is a journalist who was sent back to Japan to cover the disaster for the CBC. She shared her experience of the difficulty of attempting travel to the effected region as the disaster unfolded.
Tanya Gardecky was selected as a past JET by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revisit her former schools and community. She stressed the overwhelming lack of progress made in rebuilding the island communities off the coast of Tohoku.
Sandy Gibson is a former JET who experienced some of the effects of the disaster first hand before returning to Toronto. He shared his experience and photographs.
James Ahn is a former US Marine who was stationed in Japan during the time of the disaster and was part of the rescue missions. He shared photographs of his mission.
In an intensely emotional evening, each of the panellists shared their personal stories. Much of the discussion centered around relief efforts and the current situation on the ground.
A live taping of the event will be shortly posted to this site. Please check back soon!