Japan's Disaster Now A Waiting Game for P.G. Woman
By 250 News
Wednesday, March 16, 2011 03:59 AM
Prince George, B.C. – For Diane Nakamura, the disaster in Japan has hit home, hard.
If her name sounds familiar, you may recall she sought a seat on Prince George City Council in the last municipal election.
She continues her work with CASEY (Communities Against Sexual Exploitation of Youth) and is grateful that her work day is busy because it keeps her distracted from the worry of what has happened to her relatives. “I have a grandma who is 98, an aunt who is 76 and two cousins who lived in Sendai, which was hit by the Tsunami. They are all missing.”
With no phone contact to that part of Japan, Diane says the family has placed its faith in the work of one cousin who lives in Tokyo, to share knowledge about the fate of family members. “We have set up a special email loop, and my cousin Norman is sending us updates.” It was through Norman’s email distribution list that she was informed that another aunt, uncle and two cousins are safe.
“It is difficult to get up to date information on people” says Diane, who says so many have been moved to schools for shelter as aftershocks continue to roll through the country.
Diane’s parents died when she was very young, and she lost touch with her relatives in Japan. She had just reconnected with them about three years ago and had planned on going to Japan this fall to visit. “It is just heartbreaking, not knowing if they are alright.”
She can’t watch North American news reports of the disaster anymore, “I watch the news from Japan, at least there, I get a sense that something is being done, there is a relief effort underway. The Japanese reports are very methodical and very calm. They have a calming effect on me too.”
Along with other members of the Japanese community in Prince George, Diane is now working to raise funds for the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan “If people would just make a donation to the Red Cross, that would really be a big help until we ( Japanese community in P.G.) get our fundraising efforts finalized.” She says when her group has its fundraising plans in place, all money raised will be turned over to the Red Cross.
In the meantime, she waits for new email messages from her cousin in Tokyo about members of her family “ I hope and pray they are O.K., I am quite hopeful.”
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Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 16 2011 8:42 AM
I think these 50 workers should get a world honor of giving their long life away to do everything they can to save the plant from a meltdown. They are back in the plant now.
The reporting is so American, that it is sickening, Only they can do it right.