Apr 2008 Newsletter: Pangaea ring - Mr. Yasutoshi Andou
How do you do! I'm Yasutoshi Ando. Everybody calls me "Andu".
I participate in Pangaea Activities at branches in Tokyo as
a technical staff.I have come to know Pangaea as an area supporter for the Pangaea activity. When I participated in Pangaea activity as area supporter for the first time, I was not fully aware of what Pangaea and its activity was (I'm ashamed to admit..) but I had an enjoyable time and I was interested in participating more. Then, instead of being an area supporter, I became a volunteer staff of Pangaea to attend the activities from the next year.
At Pangaea activities, those children who are usually shy at school seem to be more energetic. When they receive mails from other branches through PangaeaNet, the children get excited and report to the staff joyfully saying "Look! I've got a mail!" That is a kind of moment when I am filled with joy as a staff myself because I can see the children are feeling "the bond" with each other through Pangaea. Pangaea staffers have a variety of back ground. Some are students and some are working people. Having had the chance to participate in Pangaea activities with the other staffers allowed me to broaden my perspective also. When participating in Pangaea activities, a volunteer does not only provide service but also learn and gain so much at the same time.
When I first joined Pangaea as
a technical staff, I was so unfamiliar with computer network and
did not even know what an IP address was. With Toshi-san's kind
guidance from the very scratch, I have been educated enough to be
a technical leader at the activities. This experience has allowed me
to learn the importance of the feeling of accomplishment, being
prepared as well as showing clear directions, which I would not
have learned otherwise as a university student. Moreover, I find it
always comforting to spend time with the children. I do believe that
I can share this feeling with all the volunteers at Pangaea activities.
I also believe that this is probably why Pangaea has never experienced
having to cancel an activity with lack of volunteer staff showing up.
I have participated in Pangaea activities held in Kyoto and Mie, besides Tokyo. I find each branch has its own characteristics. The branches in Tokyo seem to more relaxed and one in Mie is more energetic. I hope to join Pangaea activities held at branches overseas. That is one of my dreams. I also hope to continue to provide any support I can so that the children can feel "the bond" between each other through Pangaea.
Yasutoshi Ando
I have participated in Pangaea activities held in Kyoto and Mie, besides Tokyo. I find each branch has its own characteristics. The branches in Tokyo seem to more relaxed and one in Mie is more energetic. I hope to join Pangaea activities held at branches overseas. That is one of my dreams. I also hope to continue to provide any support I can so that the children can feel "the bond" between each other through Pangaea.
Yasutoshi Ando
Posted by: kumakinoko | 3. Newsletter , 4. Pangaea Ring
