L.P. would like to volunteer at a Catholic orphanage in the Tohoku region, near the March 11 disaster areas, but isn't sure how to get started.

I contacted Living Dreams, a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo that supports children living in orphanages (children's homes) in Japan, and they suggested La Salle Home, affiliated with De La Salle Christian Brothers. The director of La Salle, Rodrigo Trevino, said they have all the volunteers they need through March 2013, but you are welcome to get in touch about future opportunities (call (022) 257-3801).

Ichinoseki Fujinoso in Iwate is another option. They don't have a current need for volunteers, but if you are interested in helping in another way, they are accepting donations (through Living Dreams — see website below) toward rebuilding their children's home, which was destroyed by the earthquake.