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Restoring the Jacaranda riverbank: a volunteer-led project in Shinjuku

Volunteers are restoring the Jacaranda riverbank in Shinjuku; $1,200 covers saplings, tools and waste removal.

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan1,638 views
Nao Yamamoto
Email verified
Shinjuku
The Jacaranda riverbank has been used as an informal dump for years. This August, 41 neighbors turned up for a first cleanup, filling 58 bags in a single morning. Now we want to restore it for good. We have a plan agreed with the district council, including native species selected by a local botanist. The area floods more each year, and fish have returned for the first time in a decade after our first cleanup. Restoring it will protect homes and bring back shade. All the labor is volunteered. We just need materials. Funds buy saplings, gloves, bags, hire of a skip, and signage. Where the $1,200 goes: โ€ข Tools and protective gear: $410 โ€ข Native saplings and stakes: $630 โ€ข Signage and educational materials: $160 With deep gratitude, Nao

Updates from Nao

  1. 13% there. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Thank you.

  • Brian B. Wheeler ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $77.50
  • Mutua Kato Tumusiime ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $75
  • Sharon P. Avila ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ ยท $60

    โ€œWish I could do more! - Newcastleโ€

  • Waylon K. Rose ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $59

    โ€œTake care of yourselves. From London with love.โ€

  • Teresa T. Woods ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $50
  • Beau G. Carter ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ ยท $37.50
  • Ananya R. Naidu ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $30

    โ€œYou got this. Shared with friends too. - Puneโ€

  • Idrissa Alassane Sarr ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $25
  • Chebet Imani Waweru ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $25

    โ€œGet well soon. Shared with friends too. - Mombasaโ€

  • Iman Manal Haddad ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25
  • Kayode Rotimi Falana ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25

    โ€œPraying for you! - Ikejaโ€

  • Lucas F. Hatfield ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25
  • Janani B. Prabhu ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $25

    โ€œBe well. Hope the October deadline works out. - Coimbatoreโ€

  • Cristina K. Guzmรกn ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $25

    โ€œOnly $25 but hope it helps. - Mexicaliโ€

  • Sade Favour Alabi ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25

    โ€œHope things get better. Hope the October deadline works out. - Port Harcourtโ€

  • Adel Sami Nasser ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $24.50

    โ€œThought of Nao all day after reading this.โ€

  • Habtamu Mulugeta Melaku ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡น ยท $20
  • Faruk Mizanur Chowdhury ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $20
  • Mohit B. Gill ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $20

    โ€œWishing you the best! - Thaneโ€

  • Camille S. Perez ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $15

Reviews

3.3(17 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Marcos Pinto๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Exceptional service

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Jose G. Hill๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Patient and understanding

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Emeka Onyeama๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified helper
    Outstanding person

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Oleksandr Gusev๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Quick response, great follow-up

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Sami Cherif๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Made a real difference

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Collins Massawe๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Amazing support system

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Irfan Rana๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified helper
    Honest and trustworthy

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Alamin Molla๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified donor
    Practical and effective help

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Riku Ota๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified donor
    Exactly what I needed

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Janani Warrier๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Jide Okafor๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Ssebuliba Urassa๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Helped when no one else could

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Joรฃo Bastos๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Really cared about my situation

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Ramon N. Ocampo๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญVerified donor
    Delivered on promises

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Zawadi Bakari๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Ricardo L. Villalobos๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Changed my perspective

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Samira Ibrahim๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified helper
    Professional and kind

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

Questions & comments

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  • Best of luck, Nao. Gave what I could, wish it was more. Wish I lived closer to Birmingham so I could bring a meal. God bless.

    • Omer Irfan TararQuestionID verified

      Any update on how things are going in Shinjuku?

      • it takes guts to ask. Well done. I went through something like this 5 years ago and strangers helped me out. Blessings

        • What's already covered and what's the $1,200 for?

          • Nao YamamotoOwnerAnswer

            The list at the bottom is the whole picture. tools and protective gear is the biggest at $410. Fair thing to want to know.

        • Wishing you peace, Nao. I hope things turn around soon. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected.

          • Is it paid to the nursery directly?

            • Nao YamamotoOwnerAnswer

              It comes to me first, then I pay the nursery myself and upload the receipt. I wouldn't be comfortable any other way. Appreciate you taking the time.

          • Hang in there. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double.

            • Could you add a copy of the council agreement with private details blacked out?

              • Projects like this are what make a place worth living in. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Greetings from Ibadan!

                • Thinking of you and your family. Looking forward to the next update. My colleague had a similar thing happen so this one hit home.

                  • Thanks for sharing this. This could happen to any of us. My colleague had a similar thing happen so this one hit home. Greetings from Bergamo.

                    • rooting for you. Your post was clear and honest. Take care.

                      $747.50 raised of $1,200

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