Mr. Kimikazu Kuwahara, a staff of the Utsunomiya YMCA worked at Puli and Tsaotun, Nantou County, Taiwan where is near the epicenter of the earthquake in the middle of Taiwan, as a volunteer of relief. He reported an experience of volunteer work and present situations of post earthquake as follows :
I visited to Taiwan on 6th to 16th of October. At first, I arrived at Taipei, the most northern end of Taiwan. Large hotel had been collapsed by the earthquake, but a problem was in the construction of hotel. Taipei was calm except that hotel.
On 7th of October, I gave a contribution of 20,000 Yen ($1,850) from the Utsunomiya YMCA to Tsaotun YMCA at Tsaotun on the way to Puli.
Tsaotun YMCA
20,000 Yen ($1,850) to the Tsaotun YMCA (Left side is Mr. Kuwahara)
I saw collapsed many buildings and bridges on the way to Puli from Tsaotun. There was a big mountain fall.
Big Mountain Fall
I went into Puli on 7th of October where was a relief center of the Taipei YMCA. Puli is 60 km north of chichi where was the epicenter of the earthquake. The center of Taipei YMCA has worked to relief at suburb of Puli. The down town of Puli was tremendously damaged. Almost schools and agency buildings had been damaged which will be impossible to repair.
There was army and many volunteers to relief in the down town.
Damaged Junior High School
Tents for the victims citizen of the disaster at the playground of the above school
But, no army and no volunteer was in the suburb of Puli, where is about 5 to 10 km from Puli. Damaged houses have been left as it was.
Damaged Houses left as it is
Almost residents in puli who can work, have been another work places therefor damaged houses was not able to put away. Taipei YMCA decided to work in these suburb by above reasons. Japanese volunteers who were from Japan and Taiwanese volunteers who are Taiwanese students are studying in Japan, have worked there.
Volunteers Center of Taipei YMCA in Puli
At first, I excavated the valuable articles and necessaries from the damaged houses requested by the residents at the suburb of Puli.
Mr. Kimikazu Kuwahara in work
These works have to do before damaged houses are put away by large machine. Taipei YMCA organized two teams which are team of physical work and reconnaissance of residents needs. After the teams were organized as a relief system, there were good communications with residents and mutual communications between volunteers, many requests came to the Relief Center from residents.
Volunteers are puting away of damaged houses
Volunteers are removing damaged roof
Volunteers used the tents at a camp site to live in Puli
It was 2 weeks since earthquake, organization base of activities was consisted. Physical work will be completed in several weeks, but mental care will be extended over a long period of time. A child care program by the Tsaotun YMCA have started since 11th of October at a Karaoke House to provide free child care for the children who are kindergarten to junior high school victims of the disaster in Tsaotun. The program supported by the teachers of kindergarten and school. I supported the child care program of Tsaotun YMCA. I was requested by a staff of Tsaotun YMCA to teach of a physical exercise used Japanese music which I have had an experience in the Utsunomiya YMCA kindergarten.
Child Care Program at a Karaoke House
Children's Lunch time at a courtyard in the Karaoke House
The place of child care program has moved to Program Center of the Puli Presbyterian Church since 18th of October because rental fee of the Karaoke House was too expensive.
Program Center of the Puli Presbyterian Church
My activity was only 11 days, there was many needs to relief the disaster area. I like to support the relief program for Taiwan in Japan. Another volunteer of Utsunomiya YMCA will visit to Taiwan as a member of Japan YMCA Relief Team on 30th of October to 7th of December.
