Sunday, August 22, 2010

Bus Tour

Hi, my name is Igarashi. I’ve started A.P.F.S. volunteering since May.

In Sep.21st and 22nd, A.P.F.S staff, some volunteers, A.P.F.S members and their families were participated in a bus tour held once a year. We went to KUMOMI hot springs in western-Izu where a beautiful blue sea spread out as far as the eyes could see. I expected that everyone was looking forward to going there as hot humid weather continues in Tokyo.

As for schedule,
First day, we headed for western-Izu really early morning, having a lunch together in a tour bus. Arriving in Izu, we went to Hakachizaki Garden to see Japanese Macaque Monkeys. We had a great time hanging out with monkey and taking pictures there. After we were heading back for “Chouemon”, the place we stayed, we had a party at night, drinking and eating a variety of great sea food.

Second day, having a breakfast, we went to a beach a couple minutes away from Choemon. We had so many exciting events such as a piñata-like game with a watermelon, beach volleyball, and beach flag. After that, we went to have a Seafood bowl famous as most delicious one in western-Izu.

In the past two days, we spent such a great time without any accidents. I’m really glad that exchange between A.P.F.S members and volunteers have become very active recently.

I hope that A.P.F.S will unite more strongly as having many exciting events and getting along each other.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Report of the donation for Mr.Suraj

This is the middle report of the donation for Mr. SURAJ.

Thanks for everyone, His wife was able to go to Ghana for his funeral. That was first time for her to meet his parents and they were so mournful each other by his unexpected death. However, in this trip,she could actually see his hometown.

These trip costs three hundred eighty-six thousand dollars. And so far, we collected three hundred thirty-two thousand dollars. We are still are asking for donation to fill into the gap.

Donation for Mr. SURAJ
A financial institution: Japan Post Bank Co., Ltd.
A member :A.P.F.S.
Account Number: 00180-1-79158

*Please fill in SURAJ DONATION

We hope that we will get many requests for this donation.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Free medical checkup

My name is Nichisato. On August 1, I as a staff member of volunteers participated in an event of free medical checkup for foreigners. The event was held in Green Hall of Itabashi Ward during 10:30am to 4:00pm (reception closed at 3:00pm) in cooperation with another volunteer group of “SHARE.” The free health check is an annual event regularly held this time of the year. APFS acted as an interpreter and a consultant regarding visa, whereas SHARE carried out the medical check up.

My duty was to set up a booth and to welcome examinees at the reception to lead the way including miscellaneous works.

I notice that the atmosphere was amiable as examinees and staff members are smiling. I was glad to notice that examinees seem much satisfied as they were giving us a thanks word and making donations.

I took a checkup as my own experience as a volunteer staff member and found it comfortable, despite free checkup and minimum check items with inexpensive equipments.

Checkup follow was; reception followed by urine analysis, filling in the questionnaire, X-ray, height and body weight, blood pressure, dental checkup, others (eyes and heart) and medical and nutrition consultation (though I did not consult). Therefore the contents were substantial. Since foreigners were targeted, some foreign languages besides English were on the sign boards and interpreters were standing by in order to be foreigner friendly.

I was pleased to have made valuable experience, although I was some how puzzled due to first experience. I will make further efforts to contribute to help people in APFS.