Participating in APFS Christmas Party

My name is Makita, a volunteer member of APFS

Christmas Party hosted by APFS was held in Green Hall of Itabashi-ku on Sunday December 19, 2010.  Participants were approximately 80 people from the members of APFS from various countries and their families and APFS members.  The party started with an opening address of Mr. Kato, the representative of APFS followed by toast and dinner.  It was a rare chance to enjoy various and tasty ethnic food at the same time.  The party continued such programs as bingo game, musical chair game of children, present from Santa Clause to children, musical chair game of adults, newspaper game, orange dance, and present exchange.  The party ended with a picture taking of all the participants.  Everybody enjoyed very much supported by MC warmed up the party with an excellent performance.

I realized great contribution of APFS having seen members who are obviously happy having received APFS’ support.  This opportunity encouraged me to further support APFS as a volunteer staff member.

Exchange opinions with Shin’ai-juku

Hi, this is Yamane, a stuff member of volunteers.

On November 8th, people from Shin’ai-juku visited A.P.F.S and exchanged views with A.P.F.S staff.

Shin’ai-juku, they offer the gathering, remedial class, mother tongue class,　Japanese language class, mostly for the foreign children. They also give counsel for foreign residents about their rights, education, life and so on. They do these community-based activities with a central focus on Kanagawa prefecture.

For me, the most impressive activity was that Shin’ai-juku provided aftercare for repatriated children, with going to their countries.I learned a lot from the stories expressed by the staff of Shin’ai-juku and A.P.F.S. Thank you so much.

After the conversation, we went to the Italian restaurant near the office, owned by Bangladeshi. We had a lot of fun together with having beer, cocktails and delicious foods. The members of Shin’ai-juku were friendly and fun.Thank you very much.

Asian Fair

Hi, this is Yamane, a staff member of volunteers.

On November 7th, “The 16th Asian Fair” was held.

I participated in this event with my friend as a guest. I attended Asian Fair for the first time. I had a lot of fun.

At the open space, stands of 8 Asian countries were lined up. I ate a lot of foods like “BIGO”,a dessert from Philippines, or spring rolls at Thai food stand.

On the stage, people showed enjoyable dances and touching musics, such as Bangladeshi folk music or folk dances of Thailand, Burma, Philippines. I enjoyed those unfamiliar Asian world.

Also, Japanese “Chanbara”! “Chanbara” was rare and interesting for me.

As for the rest, I had fun with buying some folk crafts at the flea market.
My friend also enjoyed today. Thank you very much.

Opened the Class “Learning Japanese/Mother Tongue with Family”

Hi, this is Yamane, a staff member of volunteers.

On October 3rd, we held the first class of “Japanese Language classes for parents / Tagalog Language/Culture classes for children”. This is for Filipino families.

Mothers learned Japanese and their children learned Tagalog. I participated the Japanese class as a volunteer of teaching Japanese. On that day, we studied and discussed about the elementary school in Phillipine and Japan in the class.

I was impressed by Teacher’s day in Phillipine, which is for respecting teachers. This is not in Japan. Also, they teach all classes in English without a mother tongue class. They have sport festival like in Japan, but they don’t have offering lunch.

All mothers are active and eager to participate in conversation, practice writing Hiragana and talk about the school in Filipine. It was a great day and I’m sure that I got more lessons than them even if I was a teaching volunteer.

Thank you.

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.

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.

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.