Oct 2008 Newsletter: Yumi's Monthly Note
Hello, everyone!September is a back-to-school month. Our children came back to the activities after summer break with suntan and healthy smiles. During the activities, I had many touching moments. One of elementary school boys apparently grew taller. Additionally, I had a huge reunion with a boy who used to come and join our activities. I hadn't seen him for a year and a half since he moved to another town right after he finished 6th grade. He is now in 8th grade and visited us by train. It was a very heartfelt moment for me. Watching the growth of participants always makes me feel honored.
Although I was rejuvenated with attending the activities, don't assume that I have been slowing down or relaxing. Interacting with the children was just one of my September To-Dos. Indeed, I have been extremely busy juggling several projects: evaluating and reshaping the Pangaea Camp, applying for grants, attending the business matchmaking sessions organized by the Social Innovation Japan, promoting the Pangaea Project to raise more funds, and etc., etc.
And then,
we marked another anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Every
September 11th is a day of remembering the tragic events I experienced,
as well as of reminding me of the reason why I started the Pangaea
Project. It is also a day of knowing where I was, where I am, and where
I am heading to with our Pangaea to renew my mind and let my spirit
soar.
Recently, I have gotten a speculation that our newsletter subscribers must be great "publicists" or "educators" because the well-educated individuals regarding our project - including the presidents of a private corporation, the heads of institution, and event planners - have contacted us through our subscribers. I have had smooth and productive first meetings with those who have the pre-knowledge. Thanks a million for the increasingly supportive atmosphere!
Our project has been moving into a new phase: the Pangaea Pack is fully developed, and we are ready to open more activity sites. That is, we need your support now more than ever. Please help us to get more people who are interested to join our project.
Today (September 23), I am leaving for South Korea with some projects. In addition to work with the Pangaea staff in South Korea, I will attend business meetings to promote our project. This is because we have been taking a giant step toward launching new activity sites in South Korea. To support us, the MIZY center has agreed to play a core role in operating our facilitator training sessions. Furthermore, at the MIZY center activity site, our facilitator leaders have put enormous amounts of time and energy into our project. They have superbly set up meetings and planed meeting agendas.
It's been seven years since the idea for the Pangaea Project emerged from the 9/11 tragedy. We still have a long way to go, but finally developed our own framework to implement our project. I never thought pursuing this project would be a very lengthy endeavor. If I knew it, I probably would not have tried... But I am more determined than ever to fulfill this project. I say to myself - Yes, I Can Do It - whenever our children and facilitators boost my self-assurance by sharing their smiles, growth, and rapport. Okay, I am gearing up for October to push myself even further.
Mr. Takaharu Kameoka, a professor of bioresources at Mie University, is the Pangaea Ring Writer of the month. He is one of active supporters of Pangaea who laid the foundation for the Pangaea playground at Mie University.
Yumi
Recently, I have gotten a speculation that our newsletter subscribers must be great "publicists" or "educators" because the well-educated individuals regarding our project - including the presidents of a private corporation, the heads of institution, and event planners - have contacted us through our subscribers. I have had smooth and productive first meetings with those who have the pre-knowledge. Thanks a million for the increasingly supportive atmosphere!
Our project has been moving into a new phase: the Pangaea Pack is fully developed, and we are ready to open more activity sites. That is, we need your support now more than ever. Please help us to get more people who are interested to join our project.
Today (September 23), I am leaving for South Korea with some projects. In addition to work with the Pangaea staff in South Korea, I will attend business meetings to promote our project. This is because we have been taking a giant step toward launching new activity sites in South Korea. To support us, the MIZY center has agreed to play a core role in operating our facilitator training sessions. Furthermore, at the MIZY center activity site, our facilitator leaders have put enormous amounts of time and energy into our project. They have superbly set up meetings and planed meeting agendas.
It's been seven years since the idea for the Pangaea Project emerged from the 9/11 tragedy. We still have a long way to go, but finally developed our own framework to implement our project. I never thought pursuing this project would be a very lengthy endeavor. If I knew it, I probably would not have tried... But I am more determined than ever to fulfill this project. I say to myself - Yes, I Can Do It - whenever our children and facilitators boost my self-assurance by sharing their smiles, growth, and rapport. Okay, I am gearing up for October to push myself even further.
Mr. Takaharu Kameoka, a professor of bioresources at Mie University, is the Pangaea Ring Writer of the month. He is one of active supporters of Pangaea who laid the foundation for the Pangaea playground at Mie University.
Yumi
Posted by: kumakinoko | 3. Newsletter
