Aug 2008 Newsletter: Pangaea ring - Ms. Miwa Omori
Hello. My name is Miwa Omori.My encounter with Pangaea was an electrifying experience. Two years ago, on one morning, I was watching NHK and suddenly the title "NPO Pangaea's approach - Simultaneous activity between Japan and Korea" caught my eyes and then I found myself exclaiming, "This is it!"
I could not believe what was being broadcasted on TV. What I saw was exactly the kind of activity that I had always wanted to take part in - the activity to create the bond between the children all around the world. I made friends with a Czechoslovakian
-at that time- when I was in
grade 7. We were pen friends. I was always looking forward to and
anxiously waiting for receiving letters from him/her. It has also
become my pleasure and a habit to make friends at the destination of
my various travels. Having had chances to meet with children who
lived in a different cultural environment has inspired me and surely
broadened my dreams. I have always wanted to share my own experiences
with many children and provide them with opportunities to let them
actually gain the similar experiences. I have also pictured that
taking the advantage of IT would help realize my dream come true in
quite an effective way especially today, when advanced IT
infrastructure network is available.
I searched the internet and contacted Pangaea right away. I was deeply moved by Yumi san's enthusiasm and dearly wished to be a part of Pangaea myself. Pangaea enables the children all around the world to communicate and understand each other over the barriers of the languages. I find Pangaea's approach to use optical tool of communication such as pictons and to hold activities making the best use of IT truly wonderful.
At the moment, I participate in Pangaea activities as a facilitator. Through attending the activities I have first realized what I was missing in my way of thinking. It was "the children's perspective" - what do they have on mind now, how do they feel about being related with other children around the world - the most important point of all. The adults can prepare the appropriate environment and encourage the children only so much if the children are not self-motivated.
I believe each and every child is given a full attention at Pangaea activity. Pangaea activity also draws the children's interest in getting to know one another in a very successful manner.
The children can, in spite of the language barriers, make their natural effort to communicate with one another even if they are only interested in knowing about each other more.
When I spend time with the children at Pangaea activity, I always learn something new, for example about the children's rich sensibility, how remarkably fast their growth is and the importance of caring for others and so on. To me, it is truly a meaningful experience. Also, getting to see the children's carefree laughs, away from the adult society where I spend most of my time, is the best source of my energy just like vitamins.
I hold dear all my experiences with Pangaea and I hope to stay as a part of Pangaea.
I dream a day when the Pangaea Network will have expanded all around the world letting the children communicate with each other.
Miwa Omori
I searched the internet and contacted Pangaea right away. I was deeply moved by Yumi san's enthusiasm and dearly wished to be a part of Pangaea myself. Pangaea enables the children all around the world to communicate and understand each other over the barriers of the languages. I find Pangaea's approach to use optical tool of communication such as pictons and to hold activities making the best use of IT truly wonderful.
At the moment, I participate in Pangaea activities as a facilitator. Through attending the activities I have first realized what I was missing in my way of thinking. It was "the children's perspective" - what do they have on mind now, how do they feel about being related with other children around the world - the most important point of all. The adults can prepare the appropriate environment and encourage the children only so much if the children are not self-motivated.
I believe each and every child is given a full attention at Pangaea activity. Pangaea activity also draws the children's interest in getting to know one another in a very successful manner.
The children can, in spite of the language barriers, make their natural effort to communicate with one another even if they are only interested in knowing about each other more.
When I spend time with the children at Pangaea activity, I always learn something new, for example about the children's rich sensibility, how remarkably fast their growth is and the importance of caring for others and so on. To me, it is truly a meaningful experience. Also, getting to see the children's carefree laughs, away from the adult society where I spend most of my time, is the best source of my energy just like vitamins.
I hold dear all my experiences with Pangaea and I hope to stay as a part of Pangaea.
I dream a day when the Pangaea Network will have expanded all around the world letting the children communicate with each other.
Miwa Omori
Posted by: kumakinoko | 3. Newsletter , 4. Pangaea Ring
