U.S. teacher aids school rebuilding (JAPAN)

Helping hand: English teacher Andras Molnar of the U.S. holds a traditional Japanese drum May 8 in Yamamoto, Miyagi Prefecture. KYODO

Kyodo

SENDAI — An American English teacher at a middle school in Miyagi Prefecture has set up funds to solicit donations for rebuilding elementary schools damaged by the tsunami following the March 11 earthquake.

Pennsylvania native Andras Molnar, 25, said that although he is leaving the prefecture's town of Yamamoto in August when his teaching contract ends, he is "hoping to stay connected" with the town through the fund.

Molnar said he became interested in Japan through "anime" such as "Gundam" and spent a year in the country as a high school student and again while at university. He came to Yamamoto, a coastal town of around 16,000, in August 2009.

He said he got along well with locals through a drum circle and surfing, a hobby of his.

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