Marija Temelkovski

From: Vancouver, Canada

Placement: Shiogama, Miyagi

Time on JET: 2013-2016

Favorite MAJET Experience:
My favorite experience occured in 2015, while I was MAJET President. I organized a recovery tour to Minami-sanriku and Rikuzentakata with Roger Smith and some other volunteers. It allowed JETs to explore some of the cities where the 3/11 earthquake and tsunami had hit the hardest. I was so humbled to talk to the locals, hear their survival stories, and learn about their efforts to re-establish their tourism industry.

They were left with nothing and had to come together as a community to rebuild the place they called home. I felt their warmth, kindness, and resilient spirit. I was surprised to learn that the number of volunteers in these affected areas since 2011 has decreased by 90%. I hope that during your time on JET, you’ll find time to volunteer in your communities.

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Photos from the trip