May 2009 Newsletter: Yumi's Monthly Note
Hello, everyone!I am writing this at Kuching International Airport in Malaysia while waiting to board my flight to Japan. I arrived in Malaysia on April 23 and am now heading back to Japan after spending two nights in Malaysia.
It has been a busy month. I traveled to South Korea for offering training sessions. And then, this business trip came up at very short notice. Before leaving for Malaysia, we had to get the big project, moving into a new office,done. We definitely needed more space because we had added new staff members, plus, our tiny office had been overflowing with a lot of stuff. Luckily, we got a bigger room to move in. On the project day, we rent a heavy-duty vehiclefor half a day to load storage furniture that we bought at IKEA. Mr. Okano, one of our board members, and his pick-up truck helped us move our office. Our male staffers showed their "macho" side when they carried heavy loads. Female staff enjoyed a shopping spree at IKEA and decorated our new office to create a productive work environment. The move to a new office brought us some positive changes; we've opened the door to a new beginning.
In South Korea, we presented a plaque to Ms. Sophia Ji-hye Yoo awarded the Pangaea Volunteer of the Year for 2008.
Sophia brought the plaque to her office at the MIZY Center; it has been sitting on her desk. Additionally, we offered the Pangaea Facilitator Leader Training in Seoul. Two facilitators, who have been working with us for three years, completed the training. Their growth has amazed me. One of them was very shy and reserved when she started volunteering. But now she is an activity leader, organizing the activity group. I believe the Pangaea Activity has provided opportunities not only for children, but for adults as well, to develop both personal and social skills.
During my stay in Malaysia, I found many interesting differences between two countries, Malaysia and Japan, through conversation with Malaysian children. Malaysian children told me today that in Malaysia schools operate in two shifts, morning and afternoon, because schools are overcapacity. "Hmmm..., that means the children attending the afternoon shift can sleep late," I said to myself. "The children attending the afternoon shift are dismissed after 7PM," the children added.
There were some other things I realized during the Pangaea Activity held at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). I saw that Malaysian Chinese children and Malay children were sitting together around a table. They were engaged in art activities and started talking to each other. Some of them seemed to be anxious about what others might think of their work. So I showed them some examples ? "virtual houses" posted by other participants ? through PangaeaNet. I wanted them to learn that there is no "right way" or "wrong way" to create their artwork. I thought those children understood what I tried to explain to them because I recognized some positive changes in them right after the intervention.
In our program, we expect facilitators to build good rapport with participants, and then let them learn how to help each other in a practical setting. Through the process, children can develop empathy toward others. In Malaysia, the process has just begun. Participants at the UNIMAS activity site are very diverse: elementary and junior high school students; boys and girls; Malaysian Chinese children; and Malay kids. The activity room has been filled with children's smiles. All participants have excited to communicate with their friends from South Korea, as well as from Japan, using Pictons. In June, they will interact with Japanese peers through the Webcam Activity networking between UNIMAS and Kyoto University.
This month, Mr. Yoneno is our Pangaea Ring writer. He has been coordinating the Pangaea Project at the Tsu City Board of Education Office (Mie, Japan). I know some other Boards of Education, but the Tsu City Board of Education is distinctively superb, especially in terms of devotion to children and passion for education. Surely, the Board completely changed my perception about the Boards of Education. Our project has successfully operated in Mie with support from the Tsu City Board of Education, Mie University, NPOs, private corporations, and local schools. Mr. Yoneno has played a vital role in promoting the Pangaea Project as our "representative." He hasn't missed any single day of activity, held at Mie University, for the past two and a half years. He has thoroughly understood our missions and project operation by attending the Pangaea Activity. Tsu City has created a learning-friendly environment for students. I feel children in Tsu City are very lucky to live in such an environment and receive high quality education.
Yumi
Posted by: kumakinoko | 3. Newsletter | Permalink
This month, Mr. Yoneno is our Pangaea Ring writer. He has been coordinating
the Pangaea Project at the Tsu City Board of Education Office (Mie, Japan).
I know some other Boards of Education, but the Tsu City Board of Education
is distinctively superb, especially in terms of devotion to children and
passion for education. Surely, the Board completely changed my perception
about the Boards of Education. Our project has successfully operated in Mie
with support from the Tsu City Board of Education, Mie University, NPOs,
private corporations, and local schools. Mr. Yoneno has played a vital role
in promoting the Pangaea Project as our "representative." He hasn't
missed any single day of activity, held at Mie University, for the past two
and a half years. He has thoroughly understood our missions and project
operation by attending the Pangaea Activity. Tsu City has created a
learning-friendly environment for students. I feel children in Tsu City are
very lucky to live in such an environment and receive high quality education. 
