With a 9.0 Magnitude earthquake causing a tsunami, and the same tsunami causing radiation problems and a near meltdown or three at a nuclear power generating reactor, things in Japan have been pretty bleak, though of course, not all of Japan was affected - just the northeast section of Japan.
While I am sure that a multitude of news agencies and bloggers with a closer perspective than myself will be creating many thought-provoking and poignant articles on Japan and its struggles from that day through now, I thought I would take a different approach, and rather than focus on the negative, would instead concentrate on the positive.
I have only known Vince for about three months or less, though to be honest, it feels like we have known each other a lot longer - but in a good way.
We have bonded over many a music video or newspaper article or even a blog I have written with him deigning not to post comments directly online, but rather through my available e-mail. He has helped me create some of the more interesting articles I have written since I began this journey. Plus, like about four of you out there, he has read every damn article I have written. For that he earns my respect.
To call Vince simply one of my readers is an insult.
Vince is first and foremost an educator. Here's what he has to say about himself:
1. Worked in libraries for 28 years.
2. Used to do stand-up.
3. Sleight-of-hand magician.
4. Amateur handpress printer.
5. Once shot a man just to watch him die.
6. Used to set himself on fire on a regular basis.
7. Can hammer a nail into his head.
8. Originally from a farm in central Illinois.
9. Once was chained to a cinderblock and thrown into a swimming pool.
Note: Only one of the above is untrue.
Really... only one of the above is untrue.
Vince has never been to Japan. While he is currently taking Japanese lessons - he has to drive an hour and then take public transportation for another 30 minutes to reach his class!!! - what he has learned of Japanese culture, he has accumulated from talking to as many people as possible, and from reading.
Reading newspapers, magazines, books and blogs - and not just my own inferior one.
But right from the get-go, Vince has touched me with a kindness... a thoughtfulness that the rest of us mere humans should be highly envious of.
You see... Vince cares.
While avoiding politics and human drama via the media, Vince wants to do something for the people in Japan.
Actually, he already has done something for the people of Japan, and has done so of his own volition, out of his own pocket and out of his own valuable time. I'm not suggesting he's ready for his Sainthood, but dammit, he makes one think that the rest of us need to get off our collective ass and either do something or, certainly, do do more.
Without getting into specifics about what Vince has already done and what he has already spent, let me instead direct you to a letter he sent me about what he proposes to do, and how we can all help him.
In his own words:
Andrew,
Since your readers are a sharp intelligent audience interested in Japan, I thought they might be interested in a project I started several months ago.
One of the cities badly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami on 3/11 was Ishinomaki in the prefecture of Miyagi. This included their schools and the libraries they contained. I have been assisting the city’s Board of Education (BOE) rebuild their collection of English-language books for the students to use.
I’ve been a librarian for many years and feel getting the right books to people at a young age is important. In the past I’ve worked on similar projects helping libraries rebuild after disasters. Since I started taking Japanese language lessons last year, I’ve been reading about the country and the stories of 3/11. I decided to start this project and through a series of contacts I was put in touch with the administrator in the city’s BOE that supervises the English teachers in the area. Eventually she suggested seven schools that I could help.
With her advice and the advice of JETS and other people, I got a better idea of what level of books is appropriate and what might be of interest to the students. Since October I’ve made five shipments to the BOE of books to distribute among the seven schools totaling 300 lbs. I've been buying new books for them instead of finding used books. My thought was I wanted to send them brand new books so they wouldn’t feel like we were sending them cast-offs or books we didn’t want. Instead they are receiving new books because they are worth it.
I’ve been selecting a variety of books from arts and crafts, stories, sports, cooking for kids, illustrated, reference, and educational. Most are for the students, but some are for teachers to use in the classroom.
So Andrew, I am writing this to see if your sharp, intelligent audience would be interested in helping with this project.
If they are, they can send an electronic Amazon gift card to my e-mail address (vgolden@mwa.org).
The books get bookplates reading, "In memory of Taylor and other teachers who passed away."
Taylor was Taylor Anderson who was an ALT (assistant language teacher) at these seven schools.
She was also one of two JETs who died on 3/11.
If anyone does donate a gift card, the books bought with the card will have "Presented by [name]" at the bottom of the bookplate (if they allow it).
So far I have paid for the books out of my own pocket, but there are many more I would like to send than I am capable of at the moment.
Vince
Really... only one of the above is untrue.
Vince has never been to Japan. While he is currently taking Japanese lessons - he has to drive an hour and then take public transportation for another 30 minutes to reach his class!!! - what he has learned of Japanese culture, he has accumulated from talking to as many people as possible, and from reading.
Reading newspapers, magazines, books and blogs - and not just my own inferior one.
But right from the get-go, Vince has touched me with a kindness... a thoughtfulness that the rest of us mere humans should be highly envious of.
You see... Vince cares.
While avoiding politics and human drama via the media, Vince wants to do something for the people in Japan.
Actually, he already has done something for the people of Japan, and has done so of his own volition, out of his own pocket and out of his own valuable time. I'm not suggesting he's ready for his Sainthood, but dammit, he makes one think that the rest of us need to get off our collective ass and either do something or, certainly, do do more.
Without getting into specifics about what Vince has already done and what he has already spent, let me instead direct you to a letter he sent me about what he proposes to do, and how we can all help him.
In his own words:
Andrew,
Since your readers are a sharp intelligent audience interested in Japan, I thought they might be interested in a project I started several months ago.
One of the cities badly damaged by the earthquake and tsunami on 3/11 was Ishinomaki in the prefecture of Miyagi. This included their schools and the libraries they contained. I have been assisting the city’s Board of Education (BOE) rebuild their collection of English-language books for the students to use.
I’ve been a librarian for many years and feel getting the right books to people at a young age is important. In the past I’ve worked on similar projects helping libraries rebuild after disasters. Since I started taking Japanese language lessons last year, I’ve been reading about the country and the stories of 3/11. I decided to start this project and through a series of contacts I was put in touch with the administrator in the city’s BOE that supervises the English teachers in the area. Eventually she suggested seven schools that I could help.
- Inai Junior High (currently 170 students);
- Inai Kindergarten (currently 16 students);
- Mangokuura Elementary School (currently 413 students);
- Mangokuura Junior High (currently 258 students);
- Watanoha Elementary School (currently 258 students);
- Watanoha Junior High (currently 360 students);
- Kazuma Elementary School (currently 342 students)
With her advice and the advice of JETS and other people, I got a better idea of what level of books is appropriate and what might be of interest to the students. Since October I’ve made five shipments to the BOE of books to distribute among the seven schools totaling 300 lbs. I've been buying new books for them instead of finding used books. My thought was I wanted to send them brand new books so they wouldn’t feel like we were sending them cast-offs or books we didn’t want. Instead they are receiving new books because they are worth it.
I’ve been selecting a variety of books from arts and crafts, stories, sports, cooking for kids, illustrated, reference, and educational. Most are for the students, but some are for teachers to use in the classroom.
So Andrew, I am writing this to see if your sharp, intelligent audience would be interested in helping with this project.
If they are, they can send an electronic Amazon gift card to my e-mail address (vgolden@mwa.org).
The books get bookplates reading, "In memory of Taylor and other teachers who passed away."
Taylor was Taylor Anderson who was an ALT (assistant language teacher) at these seven schools.
She was also one of two JETs who died on 3/11.
If anyone does donate a gift card, the books bought with the card will have "Presented by [name]" at the bottom of the bookplate (if they allow it).
So far I have paid for the books out of my own pocket, but there are many more I would like to send than I am capable of at the moment.
Vince
Okay... so there you have it. He's a pretty awesome guy, my Vince is, eh? Like many of you other readers I have been able to connect with over these past four years, he makes me proud that I ever began this blog.
Now... do the right thing people, and help get some books to these people out in Ishinomaki.
I can't even imagine being without books. My left elbow is touching one right now while I write this.
And, while Vince will not say it - this isn't about helping Japan, it's about helping people who could use something good and decent in their lives again.
Cheers,
Andrew Joseph
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