Apply to Volunteer in Tohoku (Nov – Ishinomaki)

Please review the following carefully before applying to participate in Habitat for Humanity Japan's disaster response volunteer program.
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◇Trip Summary◇
◆Work site: Ishinomaki city, Miyagi Prefecture
◆Activity: Cleaning up debris and mud and other tasks at the survivors' homes
◆Schedule:
November　25th (Fri.)　-　28th (Mon.) 4 days （2 work days）
※Recruitment for the itinerary above is closed. Thank you for your inquiry.
◆Orientation Venue: Habitat for Humanity Japan office (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
◆Orientation Time: 9:00 P.M. (We will depart around 10:30 P.M. after the orientation)
◆Return: Arrive at Tokyo around 5:00 A.M. (dismissed at Shinjuku station west exit)
◆Accommodation: Kaska Fashion Building (subject to change)
* It is a former warehouse (vacated due to the tsunami but now certified safe to occupy) where Habitat and other volunteers share one big space divided for male and female. Facilities (shower, toilet, lights, etc) are temporal ones and the resources (electricity, water, meals etc) are limited; please note that these commodities are not always available for all volunteers.
◆Number of volunteers: 20 (minimum of 10)
* First come, first served.
* Application will be accepted until 7 days prior to the departure or until we reach the maximum number of participants.
* We do not accept group participants for these schedules.
◆Participation fee: General 6,500 yen/person, Students 3,520 yen/person (Tax included)
* Participation fee includes round trip transportation fee (Tokyo⇔Ishinomaki) and volunteer insurance fee.
* Accommodation and meals are provided (3 meals/day).
* Students are those who are attending a school full time and under the age of 25. Please present your student ID along with the other required documents.
◇Qualifications◇
◆Experience: Participants are not required to have construction skills or prior disaster relief experience, but they must be physically and mentally healthy.
◆Age: 18 or older (at the date of departure)
* Those who are aged 18 and 19 are required to be accompanied by an adult aged 25 or older. Please specify the names of paring youth(s) and the chaperone in the e-mail body upon application.
◆Language skills: Must be able to fluently communicate throughout the participation in Japanese.
* Those who are not able to communicate in Japanese can participate if accompanied by a person who can help with Japanese-English translation.
◆Country of origin: Japanese or foreign nationals living in Japan
◆Other requirements:
1. Understand and respect Habitat's vision of realizing "A World Where Everyone Has A Decent Place to Live"
2. Flexibility to respond to the needs of the disaster area, which could change any minute without prior notice. Understand that volunteers' expectations may not be fulfilled depending on the conditions of the site.
3. Be a self-starter and take the lead. Make necessary preparations on your own to be self sustaining at all time.
4. Agree with and sign the applicable waiver (Volunteer Program Release and Waiver of Liability); adult or minor.
5. Understand that this is a not-for-profit volunteer tour organized for disaster response work, and not a for-profit tour based on the laws of travel conducting of any sort.
◇Packing List◇
- Anti-dust mask, work glove, rubber glove (to be worn over work glove), anti-dust glasses, safety boots (closed-toe trail/work boots and/or rubber boots with metal insole)
* Please mark your boots with your name as there may be many that look alike.
- Work clothes (waterproof, long-sleeved) enough for all work days.
- Hat (required for outside work in heat and under strong sun)
- Sleeping pad/sleeping bag which is suitable for the local climate
- Toilet paper or water-soluble tissues (to bring to the work site)
- Wet tissue, hand sanitizer (to clean your hands at lunch time)
- Towel (Bath towel and towels to use during work)
- Wet weather gear (Water-proof suit recommended. Rain coat or an umbrella will not be suitable for work. Please check the local weather before departure.)
- Slippers (to be worn at the accommodations)
- Shampoo, soap, etc. for bath
- Drink bottle, drinking water (Tap water is available, yet please bring your own water for drinking for it may not be available for purchase.)
- Insurance card or copy (You do not have to submit insurance card but please carry it with you all time.)
- Belt bag or rucksack (to bring to the work site. Please make sure to secure your own valuables.)
- Anything else needed for your staying
◇Safety◇

Habitat Japan does not have the qualifications to advise you on your health management or on medications and/or immunization. Since we cannot set out any medical requirements, we recommend you to talk to your doctor before departure. For information regarding health management at the disaster areas, please refer to the homepage of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, where you can check the risks and the measures to take.
◇Cancellation Policy◇　
◆If participants must cancel:
We will not refund any part of the fee.
◆If Habitat for Humanity Japan must cancel:
In case that the activities at the disaster areas become difficult due to the local conditions, we will refund the fee in full amount. We are not responsible for any damages incurred as a result of the cancellation.
◇How to Apply◇　
Please fill out the Volunteer Application Form and send it to Habitat Japan by e-mail at info@habitatjp.org.
Along with the application form, please send the original of waiver (Volunteer Program Release and Waiver of Liability); adult or minor, copy (A4 size) of your identification (passport, driver's license, or insurance card. Student ID is also required for students.) by mail. Upon receiving the application, we will contact you with the banking information for participation fee payment. If you do not hear from us within 3 business days, please resend for there may be a problem with e-mailing.
-・-・-・Application Procedure・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・-・
1-a. Applicant ⇒ HFHJ: Submit Volunteer Application Form by e-mail at info@habitatjp.org
1-b. Applicant ⇒ HFHJ: Submit waiver (Volunteer Program Release and Waiver of Liability); adult, or minor (Mail the original)
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2. HFHJ ⇒ Applicant: Confirmation of receiving volunteer application form and information regarding fee payment (We will send you the invoice, etc.)
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3. Applicant ⇒ HFHJ: Payment of the fee (Please make the payment within 3 business days.)
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4. HFHJ ⇒ Applicant: Confirmation of the payment and application acceptance. (Your participation will be finalized.)
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5. HFHJ ⇒ Applicant: Preparation for the departure and giving necessary information
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6. Participant: Meeting on the departure day, orientation, then depart to the site
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If you have any question in regards to disaster response volunteer application, please do not hesitate to contact Habitat for Humanity Japan by e-mail at info@habitatjp.org or by phone at 03-6459-2070.