jun yatsumoto brings us that story. >> reporter: it's physically demanding work tearing down walls, hauling away debris, preparing homes to be rebuilt. these people are members of an international volunteer group called nadia. which means hope in russian. she is the founder. she heads up her own public relations firm as well. >> we did a good job. >> reporter: she calls japan her second home. she came here nearly 20 years ago. just last year she married a japanese man. she said she couldn't just watch as the country struggled following the march 11th disaster. >> to me it was as if my best friend had called me saying i need your help. you don't ask yourself what you have to do. just go and do it. >> reporter: more than 4,000 people out of about 160,000 have been confirmed dead or missing here in ishinomaki. and nearly 3,000 people are still living in shelters. christian started nadia because she's focused on helping people here rebuild their homes and lives. the group began with just a few volunteers but now has over 300 members. >> reporter: christine spends a lot of time talking to reside