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The other day, the need arose for the second meeting’s minutes, where the topic of discussion was the “Aging Japanese Society”, to be translated into English for the attendees whose native language is English. NYdV helped to find volunteer translators for the project. Ms. Fuchigami, who has been a long-standing participant in NYdV’s activities, volunteered her expertise and knowledge of Japanese and English medical terms, playing a major role in the translation. Ms. Fuchigami who currently works in the medical field was extremely helpful in translating difficult medical terms.

The Sponsors greatly valued the quality of the detailed translation work and NYdV received words of praise for being able to not only have a network of volunteers, but using that network of willing volunteers and matching volunteers with projects that suit both the volunteers’ and organizations’ needs.

The average amount of time that a Japanese person resides in New York is 3 years. With New York moving at such a fast pace, newcomers constantly seem to be coming in, while others bid farewell to New York, making it ever more important to have up to date information readily available. It is our hope that more and more people will think to themselves, “When I start living in New York, I’ll register with NYdV and broaden my horizons!” NYdV will continue to devote itself to assist in reaching out to the Japanese community.

If you are not yet registered, please don't miss this chance. You can register at: http://groups.yahoo.co.jp/group/NYdeVolunteer/

By joining our volunteer activities, you will be rewarded with happiness and gratitude. In volunteering, you educate yourself and meet new people. You’ll have a heart-felt experience, which you can’t get from sightseeing. It’ll be the best souvenir you will take home. Don’t you want to experience New York through volunteering?

NY de Volunteer delegate: Noriko Hino

NYdV Activity Report 2006 January-April

March 4 - Bunkyou University seminar trip to New York

The students visited the United nations where Japanese staff who work at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) spoke about the kind of work they do and are involved in. Afterwards, the university students engaged in a cultural inter-exchange with high school students at Norman Thomas High School. Among the university students the event that made the biggest impression during their stay here was the "Soup Kitchen" experience.

NY de Volunteer delegate Ms. Noriko Hino, who set up this volunteer activity, is an alumna of Bunkyou University’s Junior college and graduated with an English literature major. She started NYdV, a non-profit organization, 4 years ago and has now become a central figure and contact person among those who promote activities, which offer Japanese students studying abroad, the opportunity to experience society through volunteering.

This “Soup Kitchen” activity involves providing and cooking food for the homeless. Also participating in this venture, are high school students, schoolteachers, and Japanese people all who have lived in New York more than 10 years. While serving food the Bunkyou University students mingled with these New Yorkers having interesting conversations and saw a part of daily New York life. Ms. Kasumi Owara said the she “was a bit scared with the preconception that the homeless are frightening and held back in the beginning,” but she found that her negative presumptions collapsed after the volunteer event.

Associate Professor Ikuta commented, “soup kitchens are very commonplace in America. It gives one the opportunity to see a side of society.” Ms. Shiho Kobayashi said “there are a all different sorts of places where all different kinds of help is needed. I thought to myself that I want to work at a place where I am needed.”

Here are some comments we received from students regarding their experience:

“This was my first volunteering experience in my life. To tell the truth, I was worried at first, but my worries soon faded and were replaced with joy. I am so happy I was able to experience this volunteer event. From this event I was touched at how kind people can be and felt the joy of helping others.”

“I encountered people whom I usually would not meet or converse with deeply and talked to them face to face and I think that I experienced something rare.”

NYdV is currently working on further exchange programs between Bunkyou University with alumna Noriko Hino. Noriko Hino received words of praise that she is a role model for Bunkyou University students, starting up and establishing a non-profit organization in as long of a distance away from Japan as in New York and being able to expand NYdV. Bunkyou University has also requested a one-day lecture to be scheduled the next time a delegate from NYdV returns to Japan.NYdV will do my best to introduce our daily programs to stimulate the next generation's sense of awareness of our mission."

Feb 25 NYdV Orientation and Inter-exchange

Usually, at a volunteer event, NYdV staff are busy managing each of the many tasks and are not really able to take time to introduce the purpose of NYdV and its volunteer activities to individual volunteers. Therefore, at this orientation, the NYdV staff was able to make time for questions and give personal testimonials for individuals in a small peaceful atmosphere. As a result, participants wanting to volunteer increased.

We were glad to find that this orientation worked just as we hoped it would; to help decrease the barriers between people interested in volunteering by talking to volunteer groups and NYdV staff directly.

We received the following comments from participants:
“Generally speaking, it was very easy to understand the orientation. It was especially useful to learn how to search for non-profit organizations and in the future I hope to participate more.”

“Until today I didn't really know about volunteering at all, but after this orientation, I am very eager to participate in future volunteer activities.”

“I feel more at ease about volunteering and understand that it isn’t something to be anxious about, it is something to enjoy and have fun with.”

This orientation will regularly take place from now on. The next scheduled orientation will be Saturday, July 29th.

Mar19: Workshop for teaching origami in English

We invited Ms. Mariko Iwata, a former English instructor through the JET Program, who understands both English and Japanese, to teach at the workshop. This workshop teaches Japanese natives, English phrases to use during the origami volunteer event as well as how to fold Origami for English native speakers.

Many people have experienced a part of Japanese culture by joining together for the origami volunteer event. The popular Origami Volunteer Event promotes learning in an enjoyable way and offers an exchange between Japanese and American cultures. The following statements were taken from some of the participants:

“There were non-Japanese speaking participants at the workshop who only understood English and we were able to learn from them, it wasn’t just all Japanese speakers. The instructor understood both Japanese and English well and taught politely; I felt at ease while learning.”

“Last time, when I taught origami at the volunteer event to the children, I couldn’t explain the steps in English very well, so this was a good reference for me. It was a really helpful experience for me, because I will be able to use what I learned in my next volunteer activity.”

Apr 14-16: Bazaar

*	We had our popular annual Bazaar this year, an event to raise funds for NYdV while also enjoying bargain shopping. This year with the support of Felissimo NY and Sumikin Bussan, NYdV was again able to carry out a successful Bazaar. Felissimo NY donated ”Felicity Lifestyles” brand merchandise and NYdV also had Sumikin Bussan women’s knit-wear products as well as last year’s bazaar.
*	About 550 pieces of merchandise were donated by Felissimo NY. (Japanese) “NY de Volunteer activities are really wonderful. We are glad to offer you our help and support.” ~Fellisimo NY
*	About 150 pieces of clothing were donated by Sumikin Bussan (Japanese) “We are very glad our samples were able to be of use. I, as a Japanese, am very proud of the volunteer activity in New York by NY de Volunteer. Our staff would also like to experience the challenge of volunteer activities when we find the time.” ~Mr. Kawae General Manager   Furthermore, thanks to the 8 volunteers who helped in the operation of the NYdV during the Bazaar, we were able to raise over $1,600.00.

You Are our HERO

Q.	What made the two of you get involved in volunteer activities?
	We had been living in New York for about 2 years and finally got accustomed to life here. We thought to ourselves that we should get involved in something. Around the beginning of February we saw an advertisement for a NYdV activity and inter-exchange meeting in a Japanese newspaper and the two of us immediately decided to participate. 1. The Activity and Inter-exchange Meeting   At this meeting, we learned about the subject of establishing volunteer activities. NYdV staff also advised us to participate and join other organization's events and how to search for their events. We became fans of the open and cheerful atmosphere of NYdV's mission.     2. The Japanese Cultural Introduction Class at School   When we saw these very cute kindergarten students being shy and trying so hard to learn how to fold origami and do the Japanese radio exercise that children in Japan do, we realized that children are the same in any country. We will not forget these children whom we taught and how they said " Thank you" and " See you again!"     3. School Beautification Volunteer   We arrived at the site with an easygoing attitude, expecting to paint the outside fence that surrounds the school, but due to inclement weather, there was a change of plans. We instead, stayed inside because of the rainy weather and painted the hallways with themes, such as scenes of the ocean floor, to inspire children's dreams. At first there was some difficulty deciding what images to paint, but with the direction of the school staff we were free to paint whatever we wanted and it was very enjoyable. We were impressed by the school's open mindedness and courage in supporting unique ideas. The representatives of the school said, Please go ahead with any ideas you have regarding picture or composition."Thank you for your wonderful collaborative work."     4. The Soup Kitchen Volunteer Through this volunteer we gained a first-hand experience of working with the homeless. We had never before served food or conversed with the homeless. A great number of the staff who work at the soup kitchen were at one time in their life homeless themselves and empathize with the people who come to the soup kitchen. They recommend that these people make an effort to return to society. The experience left a deep impression on us.
Q.	What has been the most impressive volunteer event that you have participated in so far?
	Each and every one of these events has left a strong impression in my memory, but if I had to think of a few examples…
Q.	What type of people participate in NYdV activities?
	Those who have gathered here to volunteer are naturally very polite people. There are many varieties of people currently in New York; there are residents who commute and live around the New York area, students from Japan who are here temporarily, adults, housewives etc. We’ve met many couples who originally had come to New York because of their jobs and who now, as a part of their retirement, travel to New York on a yearly basis to volunteer. We feel very proud to have met some very strong-willed young people who want to establish their own volunteer group when they return to Japan. Volunteering in America and especially in New York, where there are many issues to face, provide them with valuable experience that they can use towards their goal in Japan. We often hear a lot of negative news in matters regarding young people in Japan today, but we remind ourselves not to jump to conclusions too quickly.
Q.	What’s changed since you started to volunteer?
	After participating in events together for some time now we have become closer by having this in common. Naturally, we have also met many people and have increased our circle of friends.
Q.	What kind of volunteer activities do you want to do in the future?
	Right now I don’t know if we know what’s out there, so we want to do a variety of types of volunteering so that we can find out what kind of volunteering is most fulfilling for us.
Q.	What is NYdV to you?
	NYdV provides a place for joyful meetings where we can think about ways in which to fulfill our lives everyday here in New York.

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