Volume 19 (September 2011) SWY NEWS · 2011. 10. 11. · Volume 19 (September 2011) SWY NEWS Published by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan CONTENTS: Great East Japan Earthquake

Volume 19 (September 2011)

SWY NEWS Published by the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan

CONTENTS: Great East Japan Earthquake

Relief Efforts P. 2-4 Report from SWY23 P. 5 Post-Program Initiatives P. 6-9 Updates from Ex-PYs P. 10-11 SWYAA GA in Egypt P. 12

Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Efforts

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AAccttiivviittiieess bbyy IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall YYoouutthh EExxcchhaannggee OOrrggaanniizzaattiioonn ooff JJaappaann ((IIYYEEOO)) IYEO has been engaged in relief efforts since the Great East Japan Earthquake hit on March 11, 2011. After confirming the safety of the IYEO members who live in the affected areas, IYEO offered relief supplies to those in immediate need, and after a few months, shifted its activities to implementing unique programs focusing on mental health care for elderly people and children in the affected areas. Donations have been collected from different groups and organizations, and thus

far, JPY11,788,954 has been raised (as of September 9, 2011). These funds have been used for immediate relief activities to purchase necessary goods to be sent to the victims of the disaster, as well as to provide financial support to the IYEO members whose houses were severely damaged. Messages and condolences sent to the Japanese people through the IYEO and SWYAA network have also been uploaded on the IYEO website. http://www.iyeo.or.jp/en/index.html

AAccttiivviittiieess bbyy tthhee IIYYEEOO MMeemmbbeerrss iinn tthhee AAffffeecctteedd AArreeaass IYEO Iwate IYEO Iwate members are uniting their strength to work on a variety of relief activities. In March, as a first step, they tried to confirm the safety of IYEO members, delivered relief supplies, prepared meals outdoors at the evacuation center, and helped with group evacuations. From April 11-17, 15 members supported “Reconstruction Support Project Onboard Fuji Maru,” sponsored by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines as local staff. On May 5, the members volunteered cleaning at a fish processing plant. The tsunami hit the second floor of the building and flooded it with water. They carried out all the damaged materials and did the roof demolition work to prepare for restoration. On May 15, more than 30 IYEO members assembled for the IYEO Iwate

general assembly, talked about relief action policies and future action plans, and agreed that they would work together on a long-term basis. At the end of June, the “IYEO Café Project” was implemented, supported by the Japan Foundation ROAD project aid. It is aimed at providing a relaxing space for the afflicted people in the evacuation centers: to provide them a place to sit and chat together to ease their minds, even though it may take a long time for this to happen.

IYEO Miyagi Just after the earthquake, the IYEO Miyagi board members came together, and since then, they have been involved in a variety of relief activities and have donated relief supplies to the devastated areas, such as the Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital, supported by IYEO headquarters and the other prefectural IYEO branches. The activities which IYEO Miyagi are engaged in are as follows: 1. Support for Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital

IYEO Miyagi continually donates relief supplies to the hospital, where a member of IYEO Miyagi works. This hospital was hit by the tsunami and the building was severely damaged. In the interim, the city hall is being used to treat patients with mild illnesses. Food distribution to the city stopped in May, which has caused economical and psychological challenges for the staff who also lost their homes and family members in the disaster. Through the hospital staff, appropriate relief supplies have been given to municipal government staff, two other municipal hospitals that were hit by the tsunami, and many patients and afflicted people.

In July and August, IYEO Miyagi organized “Onsen (hot spring) Tours” for the staff from the Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital and their families. The tours were successful with the support of IYEO Yamagata, and the participants enjoyed relaxing in onsen to reenergize.

2. Support for Katsura Island, Urato Island chain

IYEO Miyagi members have been continually visiting the island where 200 people live, offering resources for reconstruction assistance. Electricity was finally restored 50 days after the earthquake. Though oyster farming was restarted around the same time, many people have left the island for school or work. The remaining residents of the island are elderly people, fishermen, and people who can live on the 2nd floor of their houses. By mid-May, the number of displaced residents living in the evacuation center rose to 40. Building regular relocation facilities in the school playground has started earlier than planned. IYEO Miyagi will support Katsura Island continually, including activities for PR to recharge the tourism industry. Miyagi IYEO also held the general assembly on July 23, and pledged their continued support for communities such as the Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital and the Katsura Island community.

Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushima (IYEO Fukushima) Since after the earthquake, Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushima has been involved in a variety of relief activities, mainly offering relief supplies through the NPO “The People” in Iwaki city. To meet their needs, a variety of supplies has been sent, such as daily necessities, clothes, food, medicine, and sanitary goods. Other activities by Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushiminclude: 1. Preparing meals outdoors in the evacuation center

Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushima has been providing supplies to evacuation centers in various towns and places such as high schools in Fukushima city, afflicted people in Namie town, and an afflicted children’s school in Soma city, etc. The members are cooking and providing 700 meals once a week for the people living in the evacuation center in Azuma Park in Fukushima city. A variety of food is offered to meet the people’s needs, such as fresh salad, strawberries, pickles, potato salad, vegetable soup, miso soup, and sukiyaki.

2. Offering school supplies A variety of school supplies, collected through the IYEO network, were delivered to the children of Soma city. The children who received these school supplies were those who were transferred to an elementary school near the evacuation center in Fukushima city.

3. Hand sewn duster project for reconstruction “Riyo Himawari-no-kai,” the barber’s association in Yamaguchi prefecture and other organizations donated many towels. Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushima members came up with an idea to make them into hand sewn dusters and sell them. The earnings will be used to support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

4. International Understanding Educational Support Project With the support of IYEO headquarters and the NPO NICE (Never-ending International work Camps Exchange), Fune-to-Tsubasa-no-Kai Fukushima will organize an International Understanding Educational Support Project for the afflicted children in Fukushima city in October.

RReelliieeff AAccttiivviittiieess bbyy SSWWYYAAAA aarroouunndd tthhee WWoorrlldd SWY Australia

1. The Darwin Youth for Japanese Disaster Relief, Australia The Darwin Youth for Japanese Disaster Relief, founded and coordinated by Anania Tagaro (SWY23), is a temporary youth-led, youth working group dedicated to assisting the victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis that have devastated the country of Japan. The main aims of this group are to: • Raise community awareness of the dire consequences currently

facing the Japanese people due to this crisis. • Coordinate and run events and activities to fundraise money to be

sent to the International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan (IYEO) – all of which will go straight to the victims of the disasters.

• Strengthen the skills and capacity of youth within Darwin to take leadership roles within the community.

• Show support for, increase cooperation with, and build hope for the people of Japan.

They have had several major fund-raising events such as the Onigiri (Rice-Ball) Making, Community Cultural Dinner & Performance Night, an Ultimate Raffle, as well as several smaller fundraising activities at various events around the Darwin area. Since they began in mid-March 2011, they have raised approximately AU$9,000 for the victims of the Japanese disaster, all of which will be forward to the IYEO after their last fundraising event in July. 2. JAFA (Japan Australia Friendship Association), Australia Aimee Weir (SWY23) had a cupcake stall at the “Kodomonohi” festival in Adelaide in May. She and her friends and family spent over 12 hours baking over 300 cupcakes and folding 200 paper cranes for Red Cross Japan Earthquake appeal. They raised over AU$800. Although they had aimed for AU$1,000, did enough to spread the message to people and encourage them to donate more after they had their cake. SWYAA Canada SWYAA Canada has decided that it will donate US$10,000 to the IYEO Great East Japan Earthquake fund to help in the present disaster and in the many months and years of work that will be needed to help the Tohoku area back on its feet. We have been very fortunate during the application process for the SWY ships to collect an application fee, and haven’t had many things to spend those money’s on in-between programs. We owe our experience and SWY community to the Japanese, and the IYEO, so it seemed only natural to give back. As alumni, we are going to continue to collect from our different sources (personal and business’ where we work) and hope to be able to give more in the coming months. SWYAA Costa Rica

SWYAA Costa Rican participated in “Arigato Day: Ticos for Japan,” which was held on March 20 in the National Culture Centre of Costa Rica. This event was organized in only three days and more than 10,000 people were there to help Japan. Different NGOs who have had contact with Japan were there to express their

gratitude and solidarity towards Japan. People sold food, did origami figures, there were concerts the entire day, sold Japanese souvenirs, etc. Some of ex-PYs who have nowadays high positions in the Government helped to organize this event. Also, members of the SWYAA from different batches offered themselves as volunteers in their stand to do diverse things and raise money for Japan. SWYAA raised US$2,000, and the entire event raised US$100,000. SWYAA Ecuador The SWYAA Ecuador joined efforts with the Consulate General of Japan in Guayaquil in order to raise funds. The Consul offered to match our donations up to US$300. They started spreading the word and donations from Ecuadorian ex-PYs came from USA, Chile, European countries and from inside Ecuador as well. Ecuador is a small country but they have a great admiration for the people of Japan and they are grateful for the SWY program. They delivered a donation for US$1,050 at the Embassy of Japan in Quito. The Ambassador himself sent his deep gratitude for such efforts. This is the beginning, as help needs to continue to rebuild Japan. EASWY (Egypt) EASWY members went to the Japanese Embassy and met the Head of the Information and Culture Center Mr. Takagaki and Ms. Hiroshima, and presented their condolences for all the victims of the earthquake that did hit our beloved Japan. These are Egyptian people’s messages to Japan at the Japanese Embassy. SWYAA Greece On March 25, two Japanese graduates of SWY22, Kazuto Matsuda and Megumi Sekiguchi attended a gathering event of the 2nd Scout Troop of Papagos/Athens, where they had the opportunity to play, sing and craft traditional Japanese origami along with the scouts as well as inform both children and their parents about the situation in their homeland these recent days. The cub scouts (children between 7-11

years old) wrote messages of sympathy and painted optimistic drawings, which were given to the two young Japanese and will be posted at schools in Tokyo.

Furthermore, Sophie Spitha (SWY2), the vice president of the

Greek Association of Ikebana of Ohara School (Japan) has organized an exhibition of Japanese traditional art Ikebana “In Memoriam” of the victims lost by the tragedy in Japan and as a gesture of sympathy by the Greeks towards the Japanese People, on May 18 in Athens. SWYAA India Underprivileged children from the slums surrounding the industrial area in Delhi wrote messages for the children of Japan. These children study in Open Schools of SWYAA India supported by Canon India Private Limited. SWYAA India has started 13 Open Schools educating 1,300 disadvantaged children who have never been to school. Students had earlier presented 1,000 cranes to the then Ambassador of Japan, which is still displayed at the entrance of the Embassy of Japan in New Delhi.

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50 children visited the Embassy of Japan on March 23, 2011 to offer their prayers in the memory of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and recorded their message in the book of condolence. Children presented a scroll with their messages and a display board bearing their message and palm impressions to Mr. Kojiro Uchiyama, Director of Japan Information Center cum counselor, Embassy of Japan.

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SWYAA Oman SWYAA Oman proposed for the Ministry of Sports Affairs of its intention to do a Solidarity Walk with the Japanese people for raising relief funds for the victims of Japanese Tsunami. The Ministry welcomed the idea and gave its full support with the Alumni and started to make contacts with the companies and people who share anything with Japan. They sent letters to look for donators and sponsors for this big event. Also, they invited the Japanese

community in Oman to attend the event and the Japanese Embassy to participate with them as guest of honors. They made design of T-shirts and sold them for the participants, as well as getting a lot of stuff for sell and doing a small cheap Bazaar.

The slogan was “Solidarity Together.” There were more than 500 participants, including mass media, a lot of Omani celebrity, famous sports men and women. The Ambassador of Japan, the Under Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Under Secretary of Ministry of Sports Affairs also attended. They managed to collect approximately US$15,000 from selling and donation. The donation will go to Japan through the Japanese Embassy to Oman. SWYAA Peru Akiyo Morita and Yoshu Urano (SWY21, Japan) visited Lima, and Czarina Moreno (SWY21, Peru) who is a teacher at Villa Alarife School talked to her school principal to welcome them. They organized some activities to send all their love and hope to friends in Japan. The activity started early in the morning and all the students listened to Akiyo, asked some questions and learned a few words in Japanese, and made paper cranes. The students and teachers wrote messages in the cranes wings encouraging Japan. After a long day, Akiyo took all the paper cranes to sew them all together. Two days later, Akiyo and Yoshu come back to the school to show all the students how all their work made around 600 cranes that was going to make many Japanese kids happy. But they ended up more surprised when the Pizarro family, with three children in the school, showed up with 400 paper cranes made at home with all their family members and friends. They could not believe they reached more than 1,000 paper cranes. They delivered all cranes to the Japanese-Peruvian Association that was in charge of collecting them in Lima, Peru.

SWYAA Spain One week after the earthquake and the tsunami, SWYAA Spain organized a fund raising activity in Girona, Spain. In collaboration with the language center, NIPPONIA, in which Carme Feliu Latorre (SWY13) teaches Japanese language and culture, they folded 1,000 paper cranes with encouraging and support messages. After reaching 1,000 cranes, the teachers put the crane together in strings to form Senbazuru, and sent them to hang it at Ishinomaki Municipal Hospital, with the help of Miyuki Ise (SWY13). The event was opened to citizens of all ages in Girona. Participants ranged from young kids who folded cranes for the first time in their lives to adults. More than a hundred people participated, 600 paper cranes were made in the 2 hours of the event. The remaining 400 were folded in the last 5 minutes of their language classes on the following week. The local stationery company Comercial Paperera also contributed to the event by giving us for free 1,000 origami paper for the cranes. SWYAA Sweden On April 9, 2011, members of SWYAA Sweden performed “Soran-Dance” at three different central places (two squares and one historic site) in Gothenburg, to send strength to Japan and to encourage Swedish people to support Japan. 18 members (SWY10, SWY18, and SWY23) from all over the country gathered, and there were estimated 700 viewers. Most of the members in SWYAA Sweden changed their profile pictures at facebook to the Japanese flag in order to show our support. Also, they have been in contact with the Japanese Embassy in Stockholm to offer their support and to forward their condolences. SWYAA Turkey Since collecting money without official permission is illegal in Turkey, ex-PYs found a way to collect money in a manner which they can attract attention to Japanese culture while collecting money “Sushi Workshop.” Sushi workshops were held six times: four times in Ankara, once in Istanbul and once in Konya. In the workshops, ex-PYs taught how to make sushi and then the participants rolled their own sushi with the ingredients they wanted to try. While the participants were rolling their sushi, ex-PYs explained about the SWY program and the catastrophic results of the earthquake and tsunami. In this way, both sushi and the endless friendship born in the ship which directed ex-PYs to organize such events, impressed the participants very much. In total 88 people attended the sushi workshops: 58 in Ankara, 26 in Istanbul, and 4 in Konya. They managed to collect approximately TL3,000, which is nearly JPY161,000.

Making Friends across the Pacific – A Report from SWY23 –

Carolina Hawranek (Sweden)

Fascinating people, linguistic challenges, creative wake-up-calls and incomprehensible admin rules. You all know what makes the SWY-experience so special. On the SWY23 program, another ambitious load of youth crossed the Pacific equator twice, but the borders of familiarity and cultural comfort were revisited many times over. Just as many before me, I quickly realised what a unique experience we had been honored to take part in. I do not think I will ever again have the chance to travel and socialise in such a diverse setting. For this I am forever in dept to the Government of Japan for inviting me onboard this cultural exchange where we’ve made friends and memories for life. Found the program by chance In August 2010 I had never heard of SWY. It was only by chance that I happened to came across a modest notice by the Japanese Embassy in Stockholm calling for applicants. My husband was quick to warn me not to apply – “or else you’re sure to be picked to go” he said. Six months later I was on a plane to Tokyo, together with the carefully selected Swedish delegation. Over 200 people had applied to be in one of those seats. The Swedish SWYAA had fortunately prepared us well, even though it had been six years since they themselves boarded the SWY-ship. Similarities, challenges and new insights One would think that 300 people of twelve nationalities from all around the world would result in a very heterogeneous group. This was not always the case. The various activities brought out similarities in a number of fields. The speech contest was a hit. Arabic tea parties spread in the halls at night. International teams formed randomly for the soccer tournament. During a voluntary seminar on religion we found more things in common between the world religions than anyone anticipated, even though we lacked Hindu and Jewish representatives. Similarities also surfaced during boys and girls nights. Many ideas and views were shared by people from the most varied backgrounds, leaving me with a sense of hope and warmth. The academic side of the program, the Course Discussions, proved to be of various levels. However, Advisor Mike Lafleur made an excellent job in the Education Course, of which I was a member. Hearing about teacher’s challenges around the globe and sharing views on educational methods was rewarding. However, understanding how traditional the Japanese educational system and labor market still are came to me as a bit of a shock. New obsession started in IbarakiClub Activities onboard SWY23 ranged from Rafiki Club, Arabic language school, Solomon traditional art, Wadaiko drums, Yosakoi dance, Japanese tea ceremony and much, much more. Our fellow PYs had indeed filled the agenda with cultural adventures to choose from – but there was one thing we Swedes could not miss out on. On our first night of the Local Program in Ibaraki prefecture, a professional dance team performed the Soran-bushi as part of a welcome ceremony. We were totally amazed! So, a few weeks into the program we proclaimed to our Japanese friends; We will not leave Fuji Maru unless you teach us how to dance. Soran-fever spread aboard. Soon we had Brazilians, Fijians, Mexicans, Australians and Tanzanians line up to dance. Several talented JPYs, took on the coaching. We spent a number of afternoon, evening and late night hours trying to get the moves right...dokkoisho, dokkoisho....se-ha, se-ha, SWY, SWY!

Since leaving the ship we have performed Soran in public places in Paris in France, Gothenburg in Sweden and Mariehamn in Finland. Footages of Soran dances are popping up from ex-PY’s all around the world – keep it up dear friends! Pacific cooperation, kava and smelly koalas Naturally, all stops and ports of call were tremendously fascinating. In Honiara, Solomon Islands, we got a fantastic reception by the local SWY alumni. In Suva, Fiji, the official program was fully packed. Following traditional Yaqona Vakaturaga ceremony in the Civic Center, my group visited the Secretariat of Pacific Community. This was a great example of an organisation working to spread research and local

knowledge to benefit the countries in the region. The afternoon visit to a local community educational center made a big impression on me. I remember thinking; I could come back to volunteer here any day! In Brisbane, Australia, the great four-day-program could not have been better, although a lot of last minute changes had to be made due to the devastating floods only three weeks prior to our arrival. Our visit included Aboriginal Cultural Night, petting endemic animals (some quite smelly) and a taste of beach life and life guarding. Outside Port Vila in Vanuatu, many of the participants enjoyed their most adventurous outing with a hike up the

breathtaking Mele Cascades. Finally, Naha swept us off our feet with the unique culture of Okinawa, quite different from the Japanese. Future projects and the great challenge for the SWY program As the ship sailed closer to our final port in Tokyo, the future endeavors of PY’s came into focus. Ideas flowed, merged and were carried off the ship. As a professional communicator, I could not help but to imagine the large potential of an organised SWY-community globally and therefore joined the team discussing future communication. We understand that there has been many efforts to establish a functional SWY-community in the past, but the need for a good communication channel between ex-PYs, SWYAA and IYEO, government staff, and future participants only grow stronger each year. I will therefore continue my efforts to develop communication channels and future visual appearance to support the program and highlight all those fantastic activities completed by my SWY-family worldwide. Ex-PYs are indeed contributing to their communities as we speak – the challenge now is to show that all these efforts are indeed changing the world for the better.

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Post-Program Initiatives Post-Program Activities Session onboard SWY23

Three representatives of the International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan (IYEO), Daisuke Kimura (SWY16), Yu Kobayashi (SWY20), and Makiko Kojima (SWY21) joined the SWY23 program from February 11 to 17, 2011, to conduct the Post-Program Activities Promotion Sessions. Objectives: Two Post-Program Activities Promotion Sessions were implemented onboard with the following goals in mind:

To give profound information on the international youth exchange programs operated by the Cabinet Office and to the activities of the SWYAAs and the IYEO to the SWY23 PYs.

To provide opportunities for the PYs to reflect on SWY23 program, to exchange and share ideas among PYs in order to achieve their own goals for the remaining days on the ship, and to start thinking about their post-program activities.

To present examples of post-program activities by the alumni who were on board as advisors, National Leaders and administrative staff, so that participating youth will also engage in various endeavors that contribute to society through the SWYAA, after they disembark.

To communicate the importance of developing activities that best utilize and link various networks, such as the SWYAA and organizations to which the participating youth already belong (e.g. non-profit/non-governmental organizations, etc.).

Particularly, the post-program activity sessions of this time were designed to focus on two things: firstly, to look at their life and experiences to re-discover their strength and weakness, and secondly, to develop projects based on their interests and backgrounds. Throughout the two-day sessions, PYs have gained inspirations for project planning (share experience and knowledge) and its implementation in the field of their interests. They had workshops and activities that enable them to understand and recapture their goals for joining the SWY program in order to make their remaining days fruitful and consequently to actively engage in the future post-program activities.

SWYAA Activity Reports – Report from September 2010 to August 2011

Egypt The Egyptian Alumni Association for the Ship for World Youth (EASWY) is very happy that it organized the 4th SWYAA Global Assembly in October 2010. Japanese Child Fun Day!! In order to share with Egyptian families the Japanese culture, EASWY held Japanese Child Fun Day!!! on July 1, 2011 in coordination with El Sawy Cultural Wheel and the Japanese Embassy in Cairo. Mrs. Reiko Komatsubara, Japanese licensed teacher was responsible for all activities on that Day. The event was originally Mohamed Abdel Meguid’s (SWY16) idea who had traveled to Japan. Mohamed El Kattan decided to make his idea come true. Mohamed El Kattan, Vitta Ibrahim, and Samia Moussa together with the rest of our team, organized the event and participated actively. The event was a big success!!! More than 50 children enjoyed the day!!! Children enjoyed Origami and different Japanese kids’ games. Mohamed Selim (SWY21) speaking Arabic and Japanese fluently was the star of the idea introducing all items to the audience and helping out the Japanese teacher. The Japanese Embassy presented very successful Japanese Kimono Session dedicated to Egyptian children.

Activities Outside Egypt The United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Islands Developing States (UN- OHRLLS) selected Ahmed Mamdouh (SWY21) to attend the 4th UN LDC Forum and Conference in Turkey in May 2011. The Form tackled problems facing youth in LDC.

Monday, February 14 (Session 1)

9:30 – 10:25Introduction of the Post-Program Activities Sessions- Ice breaking (Quiz on SWY/ SWYAA) - Introduction of ex-PYs on board SWY23

10:25 – 10:45 Introduction of SWY Café, SWYAA Bulletin Board

11:00 – 12:15 Small group sessions - Presentations on post-program activities by ex-PYs

Wednesday, February 16 (Session 2)

9:30 – 10:25Wrap up of the Session 1 Reflection session - Reflecting their own experience

10:40 – 11:40Small group session - PYs having same interests discuss their ideas for

possible post-program activities

11:50 – 12:15

Summary of the Post-Program Activities Sessions - Share action plans with other PYs - Future communication with IYEO, SWYAA - Explanation of Future Post

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Greece

SWY2 had its second reunion in Santorini in June 2011. A magnificent meeting took place in the most picturesque island. Hatem and Amani from Egypt, Gerald and Henner from Germany, Georgia, Sophia and Akis from Greece revived unique SWY moments. Next reunion meeting to be scheduled! Since 2001, SWYAA Greece had the honour to welcome people from more than 25 countries in the world. Participants and friends not

only from SWY program but also from the sister program, SSEAYP. SWY Greek alumni members put into practice the “Homestay + 1 project” where it is advisable for ex-PYs when visiting a country to take part in local events and/to contribute to society. We look forward to your visit in our beautiful country! For more information, please visit www.swygreece.gr and www.swyworld.net

Japan (IYEO) One More Child Goes To School The project in Japan officially started in 2008 in cooperation with SWYAA Sri Lanka. From 2010, IYEO has been focusing on the scholarship project, and so far, 38 Japanese Foster Parents have been supporting 44 Sri Lankan children (ages 5-10): those who are going to the Buddha Jayanthi Vidyalaya Elementary School in Matara, the southern part of Sri Lanka. The feature of this program is not only for supporting the students but also promoting exchange between the students and the Foster Parents. The students wrote letters and drew pictures to the Japanese parents. In return, the parents sent small presents and letters to the students so that they could feel connected to each other. In September 2010, the project leader, Mayumi Kobayashi, visited the school again and donated boys’ toilets and 15 white boards to the school. IYEO project members have been communicating with school teachers through SWYAA Sri Lanka since the leader’s last visit in 2009 so that the donations would match their needs. In Japan, the project members continue to organize charity events and programs related to Sri Lanka to support children’s future development and to promote mutual understanding between Japan and Sri Lanka. IYEO aims to develop the One More Child Goes To School project in the following two aspects:

1. Organize charity events to raise fund to purchase school materials 2. Establish and maintain scholarship system (Japanese Foster Parents

program) to support children and also raise fund for school maintenance

We will keep you informed of our activities and results through the SWY website, mailing lists, and newsletters. http://www.swyaa.org/onemorechild/ Please contact IYEO, Sayoko Tanaka for more detail. [email protected]

Nordic Countries (Finland, Norway, and Sweden) First Nordic Reunion Ever in Archipelago Paradise For the first time ever members from the SWYAA Nordic countries Finland, Norway, and Sweden unite, invited to the picturesque island of Åland located between Finland and Sweden. The true SWY spirit arrived with our guests, ex-PYs from nine countries. The SWYAAs in the Nordic countries have long time discussed the importance to cooperate over the nation borders, since we share a similar culture and life-style. The goal is to support each other when planning the participation of our delegations, to gather strength and inspiration to organize post-program activities. During the last years we’ve had an increased contact and now it was time to gather for the first time. The initiative for the reunion was taken by Petra Granholm (SWY20, Finland) Jenny Jonstoij (SWY18, Sweden) who both work for the Åland Island Peace Institute and SWYAA of Sweden and Finland are the organizers. The Island of Åland is the perfect location, where we can enjoy the Nordic summer in the middle of the sea between Finland and Sweden. Reunion with ex-PYs from all over the world The reunion soon extended to welcome ex-PYs from all over the world, and all together 25 persons from nine countries, including Japan, Costa Rica, Bahrain, Spain and Turkey, united at Åland during four summer days in August. During four days ex-PYs back from SWY4 until SWY23 experienced the Nordic way to enjoy summer; biking through the landscape, picnics in the meadows, garden party with smoked salmon and pickled herring, swimming in the lakes and the sea, island hopping by boat, sauna bathing and of course, the long bright summer nights by the water.

Sharing Japanese Culture and Fundraising for Earthquake Victims The main event during the reunion was the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Memorial Evening, where SWYAA were co-organizers. In front of a crowd of 400 people, gathered at the harbor of Åland, we performed the impressive Soran-dance and taught how to fold origami cranes. Matti Karvanen (SWY20, Finland) shared his experiences of his visit to post-earthquake Japan and we read messages from our friends in Japan to the audience. The evening ended beautifully sending out floating candles of hope into the sea.

The Åland press was very interested in our event and we were interviewed in radio and newspaper. As I am writing this, the reunion is still continuing as we are travelling by boat to our final island, and we hope for more cooperation and reunions in the future!

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Peru

In Peru, childhood is amongst the most vulnerable and unprotected groups, strongly affected by the poverty indexes. Out of the 3.8 million people who claim to be in extreme poverty, 2.1 are children (UNICEF). As one of the main purposes of the SWYAA Peru is the search of society’s progress and development, SWYAA Peru established contact with Padre Martinho’s foundation. The foundation “Casa del Padre Martinho” is a NGO whose purpose is to provide support to homeless children of 13 years and younger that have mental illness and/or AIDS. This home is financed by some groups or individual’s goodwill to help out and contribute in the living standards of the children. In December 2010, the members of the SWYAA Peru participated and shared moments with the children as Christmas days were coming soon. Beginning with introducing ourselves and the organization, we did a painting game with the kids and participated in a Christmas show with the children of the foundation. After playing and learning we helped giving the food to some children and taking them to their beds. Finally, the children received a Christmas lunch and also toys and materials that would help them improve their learning. These donations were obtained thanks to SWYAA Peru’s funds and alumni members, using the networking through friends and contacts, we organized a campaign for this purpose previously to the event.

Following this as an example, we are trying to get alumni members get involves in social activities and moreover, we are trying to make these activities open for the participation not only for ex-PYs but also for people who are not part of the SWYAA Peru. We hope that everybody can provide their help to those who need it the most.

Sri Lanka

In early 1990’s the word “NIPPON MARU” was very familiar among Sri Lankan people. Specially, joining the “Nippon Maru Program” was a dream of an every youth. Everybody called it “Nippon Maru” and very few mentioned the name “Ship for World Youth program.” Year 1996 was the last time this wonderful Ship visited Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was fighting against a brutal terrorism during that time and unfortunately a deadly bomb rocked Sri Lankan Capital while the Ship was in Sri Lanka for several days. So it was the last time the Ship was visiting the Pearl of the Indian Ocean. Although youths from Sri Lanka got the opportunity to participate in the program many times, ship was not sailing to Sri Lanka due to security concerns.

In year 2009, Sri Lanka defeated the deadly terrorism and peace was dawned ending a 30 years of war. Since then Sri Lanka has been strengthening the peace and country is achieving a rapid economic growth. Finally, Ship is coming back to Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan people will still call it “Nippon Maru,” although it will not be the same Ship. National Youth Service Council of Sri Lanka together with SWYAA Sri Lanka is in the process of making arrangements to warmly welcome the Ship in year 2012 to this beautiful Island. We will make every effort to make this visit an unforgettable experience to all the participating youths of the 24th Ship for World Youth program.

Post-Program Activities by the Past 3 Batches

SWY21 JPYs Reunited!! 43 JPYs from SWY21 gathered at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center (NYC) in Tokyo for a reunion on July 17 and 18, 2011. Sayuri Morimoto, a JPY on SWY21, came up with the idea of the reunion. She was of the view that many JPYs, including herself, didn’t know much about other JPYs, even though we spent more than a month together on the Nippon Maru. Sayuri wanted to create an opportunity for SWY21 JPYs to gather and get to know more about each other. At first, we set three aims for the reunion: 1. To find out more about SWY21 JPYs and get closer to each other; 2. To share our interests with other members to create new networks;

and 3. To (re)gain energy. On the first day of the reunion, we started with an icebreaker to find out what each group of people had in common. Following that, we discussed unique ways to increase candidates for the SWY program, and we came up with a lot of interesting ideas. In the afternoon, a workshop entitled “Discover JPYs” was held, where we discovered different, unexpected, and new perspectives of our friends. On the

second day, we sang “SUKIYAKI” together in harmony (You can find the video on YouTube!). We also enjoyed rope-jumping and tag at a gymnasium. Lastly, we concluded the reunion with an activity that involved imagining what each JPY will be like in 10 years. Through the reunion, we also wanted to do something to support the

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reconstruction that is taking place after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Two JPYs from Tohoku district shared their experiences of the earthquake and their voluntary activities. By sharing how we felt and what we thought of the disaster, we looked back on the past four months after the earthquake and renewed our thoughts and commitments to support the reconstruction. We also bought 39 SWY T-shirts (charity version).

Thanks to everyone’s commitment and support, the reunion was a great success. It was a wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship. Our friendship will surely last forever… We hope to hold this kind of reunion again in the near future including more JPYs, as well as OPYs.

SWY22 Tupendane Project Introduction of Tupendane

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Tupendane was founded as one of the post-SWY activities of SWY22. This Swahili word “Tupendane” stands for “Let’s Share Our Love” which was the slogan for SWY22. Tupendane was sparked by the friendship between Kenyan and Japanese youth. Before joining SWY22, David Jonathan Okwiri, one of the Kenyan youth, established Eve’s Day Junior School at Dandra slum in Nairobi. Some Japanese youth who were inspired by Okwiri’s experience decided to support his school after the SWY program. Approximately 190 children are studying at Eve’s Day Junior School. They face many problems such as lack of educational materials and food. In order to settle these problems, some events are organized in Japan to raise funds for monthly expenditures of the school. Through these events, the current situation of slums in Kenya is also explained to the Japanese people. Karibu Africa On August 6, 2011, a big event called “Karibu Africa” was held where around 100 people joined. Activities of Tupendane and the situation of Kenyan children were presented. Everyone also

enjoyed African music performance by a Japanese singer. The donation collected through this event will be used to purchase educational materials for children Tupendane Cafe “Tupendane Cafe” is organized periodically to raise money to buy educational materials and to make people become aware of the situation in the slums through experiencing role plays. “Tupendane Cafe” has been held twice till now, last event taking place on May 14,

2011. Visits to Kenya Some Japanese members visited Kenya in 2010 where they donated text books, tables and chairs using the money that was raised in the past events. In addition, the members painted the walls to brighten up the dark classrooms. In this year, another visit to Kenya is

planned to investigate the current situation and provide more educational materials for the children.

SWY23 One Book is All It Takes Joint Project by “A Group” Members Since disembarking the Fuji Maru in March this year Miguel (Chile) and Frances (Australia) were searching for a suitable location to establish a library that would be accessible, utilised, respected and sustainable by all that used it. After in depth discussions with Jone (Fiji) and a hastily organised trip to Fiji it was decided that the library would be located in Wainikavula, a village 58km from Suva. This location was chosen because the community was in need, receptive, accessible to over 1,000 people from surrounding villages and because there is a SWY representative to help train locals to keep the library running and respected. After a plea to the SWY community, books started to arrive from all over the globe. The villagers and of Department of Youth and Sports were surprised and touched by not only the generosity of strangers in the SWY community, but also the personal messages written in the books donated. Most did not even hope to believe that this project would ever eventuate. Tears of gratitude were shed. The library was to be housed in the existing study centre; however, thanks to Jone and the village’s extensive efforts, Vodafone Fiji has donated funds to build an entirely new building, situated just off the main road and accessible to all. Building started on July 4, 2011 with the help and support of villagers who are donating their time and skills to complete the project. Vodafone Fiji has been incredibly generous; however, approximately AU$3,000 is still needed. Jone will be working full time on the project until the start of the semester when he will work in conjunction with part time studies. Long term plan is to have a TV set up for DVD film, game corner, and documentary viewing, and also a computer to enable word processing skills. The community has promised to take good care the library and all its contents and understand that the more care they put in the more the

community will get out of the library and its resources. Frances will be travelling back to Fiji shortly to monitor progress, source resources and spend time with these beautiful people. We wish to thank everyone who has contributed to this project on behalf of the parents, grandparents and children of Wainikavula. There is no way to express their gratitude for the love given to them by people that they don’t know, and will never know. The excitement, joy and appreciation is overwhelming. Thank you from all our hearts. Final note: books/resources are still needed, just remember… One book is all it takes. Please send books with a personal message and SWY program to: Wainikavula Library c/o Jone Sinavi Department of Youth and Sports PO Box 2448, Government Buildings Suva, Fiji Islands Any queries please feel free to contact Frances Hennessy at [email protected]

Updates from Ex-PYs

Networking with Japanese Embassies Overseas Jean Roberth Souza SWY7, Brazil Networking is the art of connecting individuals and organizations tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, common interests, knowledge or prestige. In this regard, one good hint for ex-PYs who have left their homeland either to study or work overseas is to network with the Cultural Section of the nearest Japanese Embassy or consulate in the new country where you are

now living. Most of the Japanese Embassies around the world promote several cultural activities during the year. These activities gather different local and distinguished audiences who have common ties with Japan. Moreover, this also represents a unique opportunity for networking with diplomats, local ex-PYs, SWYAA members, former participants from JET program, MEXT scholarship recipients and alumni, as well as with other important guests who also participate in these events. If you are living overseas and are interested in this opportunity for networking, the best thing you can do first is to visit the homepage of the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Japan on the Internet. Check if there is a specific

page for the Cultural Section on the homepage and see the events promoted locally by the embassy or consulate. Find out the Cultural Section contact data and finally send an email to the Cultural Attaché presenting yourself as ex-PY, informing your SWY batch, and your interest in keeping contact with the embassy, in order to prestige its cultural activities and also receive its newsletters. Most important: Don’t forget to ask if you can be invited to the future cultural events promoted by the diplomatic mission! Photo with Mr. Kaoru Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Canada

Josephine Nahnyonga Nanjo and Veronica Anawa Dashaco SWY15, Cameroon In the past couple of years, SWYAA Cameroon has been involved in a series of activities with other youth associations in Cameroon, the Ministry of Youths, the Japanese Embassy and other ex-PYs from other countries around the globe who have been visiting Cameroon. A general reunion for all its members is scheduled

for the month of August 2011 in the capital city of Cameroon, Yaounde, to discuss possible strategies to spread the influence of the association throughout the country’s territory. The focus of the meeting will be to fulfill the third objective of the international SWYAA objective, which is ‘to provide information and develop domestic and international networks including non-SWY- participating youths.’ During this meeting, volunteers will be recruited to join the association.

A regional event will also be held in Douala in the month of October 2011 with the same objective. Ms. Josephine Nanjo (alias Lady J) got married immediately after the Cameroonian delegation returned from the SWY program in 2002 and is now blessed with three wonderful children. Meanwhile, Veronica defended her PhD and is now a Professor of Language at the University of Douala. We will be communicating more happy events in the near future.

Konstantinos Tsigkaras SWY18/22, Greece Since my first participation in SWY program in 2006, I had the opportunity to visit Japan numerous times but it was only till my last trip in February 2011, that I had the chance to interact with 14-17 year old students, becoming a teacher even for a while in their own classrooms! On February 18, I was honored to hold a session in Akaigawa Junior High School (Hokkaido) and on February 28 in Aomori High School. In one hour

session, I presented to the students my country, Greece, its culture and heritage with some historic facts through lecture and discussion, followed by a Q&A session where I have to admit, I was surprised by the questions the students posed to me. The ambiance and the energy in the classroom were great and the students’ thoughts and speculations still puzzle my mind. Thank you IYEO for such incomparable experience! We are always open for future collaborations!

My personal post-program activity or may be it is just my news Rania Ahmed SWY19, Egypt I have started my third year studying art in Japan. I was able to meet some SWY members and it made me happy to see them again. Some of them gave me a kind support by helping me on my tours, by coming to Tsukuba, where I am staying, to spend some time with me by attending my exhibitions. I am really thankful. In 2011 major things happened both in my country (Egypt) and Japan, all the time my mind was going back and forth between what is happening here and what is happening there. I was so

anxious. I remember I went to one gathering of the so called ‘artists’ action for Japan. It was an event where painters volunteered to improvise and paint whatever comes to their mind; other people would come and take the painting if they like it. For some reason – out of my anxiety – I kept drawing the same thing over and over again. The theme of an “exposed mind” like skin injury open to the air, no membrane or cover to protect, at the time of crises precautions and heavy thinking leaves us vulnerable. May be I was trying to express that, and in spite of its queerness and even kitschness, the drawings were purchased, and probably they are hanging now on someone’s wall as a living documentation of my tiresome reflections. I don’t know that person nor does he

know me, and for some reason I like to consider this incident to be one of my peculiar SWY post-program activities.

My Return to the Land of Rising Sun Matti Karvanen SWY 20, Finland From the day we left the two-month SWY dream behind in March 2008 I have wanted to return to, and explore the magnificent country that made our dream possible. This July, I finally got an unexpected opportunity to do so, and truly magnificent my journey was… I traveled through the country to west and east, and admired the beauties of ancient castles, temples and shrines. I got to taste the delicacies

of the Japanese kitchen and enjoyed the tranquility of the Onsen bath. I experienced the noise and bustle of Pachinko halls, wandered around the crazy Akihabara Electric Town, and tried the really awesome, but so deceptive, Noomi Houdai (“drinks as much as you like”). But most importantly, I got to meet again and catch up with so many of our dear SWY friends! If I counted right, I got to exchange stories with some 60 SWY20 participants in ten different towns, and I was always greeted with big smiles, open arms and a friendly laughter. I got the honor to be invited to stay at my SWY brothers and sisters’

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houses, and share delicious meals, Onsen baths and bottles of Sake with them. Furthermore, despite their incredibly high work ethics, many of them even managed to take days off from work to take me sightseeing. And finally, I could not have finished my journey a better way than watching the sun go down over spectacular

landscapes at the top of the Mt. Fuji, together with five of my dear SWY friends. To put it in just a few words, my return to the Land of the Rising Sun was simply magic, and I can only express my deepest gratitude to the whole SWY family. SWY is truly a unique

program, not only for the amazing time we live together in the ship, but even more so for the eternal friendships that we get to create, of which we get to experience again and again whenever we visit each other’s countries. So Arigatougozaimasu, sayonara, and see you again in Japan, Finland, or anywhere in the world!

My SWY life will go on and on Polikalepo Moengangongo Kefu SWY 21, Tonga In 350.org Climate Change Leadership Forum, four SWYers from three different countries met their interest. SWY21 and latest batch which is SWY23 made a great mini-get together in Fiji. Polikalepo Kefu from Tonga, SWY21, George Naweca and Jone Sinavi from Fiji, SWY23 and Josian Viraliliu from Vanuatu, SWY23 made some flash back from the SWY program. As a part of

the post-program activities, each individual made own commitment to climate change. The high light of the mini-get together is the reviving of the SWY spirit in the region. After the SWY program it opens doors for us in this part of the globe to come closer and contribute to the rising issue of climate change. It was a good sharing between the two batches in terms of sharing experience from the program. Apart from the agenda of the forum we have opportunities that can help to keep us shape with the goal of the

program proposed by the government of the Japan. From national to international opportunities we were equipped from SWY program to suit with the goal of the regional forum. Ex-SWYers were happy to make contribution to the discussions of the combating climate change within our region through our youth development. We were so grateful for the SWY program that weaves our relationship to discuss further concerns in regional and international level.

Languages taking off in Australia Dan Ednie SWY23, Australia Following my departure from the SWY23, myself and a group of friends in Melbourne started running a new not for profit called “Language Connection.” The group was already running a tour operator called “Global Heart Tours” but we had been running community events as a side project. During my time on the ship though, I realized that the side activity had actually become the part of the organization I cared about most. When I came back I started to begin the transition from a for profit tour operator to a not for profit community events organization. The goal of this post-program activity is to connection people through language. The concept is that people from different language groups want to improve their language ability, and make new friends. In Melbourne, Australia, we have a lot of international students from Japan, Korean and China. We also have a lot of Australians who are learning those languages in classrooms. We set up events where people could come and chat in both English and Japanese and make new friends with each other. The idea has becoming very popular already, and we now have two events running every week (Thursday night and Saturday during the day). The events attract around 120 people combined each week. A lot of similar programs try to do everything online, but sometimes it is more useful for people to actually meet face to face because then they can develop rapport more successfully and there won’t be as many problems to do with technology. I am hoping to use the SWY network to develop more weekly events in Sydney and Adelaide! Anyone in the world who wants to start running language exchange events should contact us for help. www.languageconnection.com.au, [email protected]

EASWY Gossip Corner Samia Moussa SWY6, Egypt

Nader Sawerous got his first baby boy, Kevin. Nader is now board member of the Egyptian Hostels Association.

Mohamed Abdel Meguid, Gido, is currently in Japan. He had his first earthquake experience at Okinawa 4 degree magnitude. Gido and his family are safe.

Marwa Hussein is very busy with her new job. Mohamed El Kattan is working very hard on his PhD and moving between governorates of

Egypt. As the Leader of the 4th SWYAA Global Assembly in Egypt, Kattan prepared and organized a very big celebration for all of us on the occasion of the success of 4th GA.

Vitta Ibrahim got her PhD degree. Sarah Kamel got married!!! Let’s keep an eye on Riham Raafat, contact person for SWY program at the Egyptian

National Council for Youth!!! At Sarah Kamel’s wedding, she caught the bridal bouquet ☺ Let’s see if it’s true…Will it work out for Riham?

Sally Mohsen got a scholarship in Finland. Best of luck dearest Sally. Mohamed Selim has a Fiancée ☺ Samia Moussa keeps on traveling. She was recently in Ireland

and UK. Samia is still heavily involved in the organization of all EASWY events.

Amani Rabei getting actively involved in Environmental Initiatives with Rotary and on a volunteer basis. She really enjoyed meeting many SWY6 friends at the 4th GA held in Egypt in 2010 and participated in Japanese Child Fun Day.

Ahmed Amin just came back from UAE. Ahmed got all videos of our events, especially GA and Japanese Child Fun Day

Tell me will I be normal again? - Memories from Ship for World Youth Bhagya Senaratne SWY22, Sri Lanka Looking around me, I fail to realise what I see. I wonder if I am back, or if this is only a dream. I try to understand what these feelings are, If they are mine or from a fairytale. I fail to understand what reality is. I seem to float about, and I am told I am distant. I wonder what it is that I feel Jet lag, they tell me, Ship sick some say. I see many faces around me, But fail to put a name on them. At night I dream of scores of faces, Living parts of the dream we shared together. The mornings are the worst, As I have to face the inevitable world! I feel like I am in dreamland or a fairytale As you please. I fail to realise what normalcy is, Or what it use to be. Tell me will I be normal again? Will I ever be me? These are some questions I ask, Unable to wake up from this dream

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Announcements

Don’t forget… When you move, please inform your contact details including your name, country, batch, address, phone, fax & e-mail to the following two places.1. To your local SWYAA President 2. To IYEO by letter, fax, e-mail or www.swyaa.org/FAQ/enterdata.htm

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The 4th SWYAA Global Assembly was held in Cairo from October 9 to 13, 2010.

Egyptian Food bank

Opening Ceremony A total of 180 ex-PYs came from 24 countries and enjoyed a variety of programs.

SWY News Editorial StaffTamae Saito (chief editor) International Youth Exchange Organization of Japan (IYEO) Address: 2-35-14-6F Nihonbashi

Ningyo-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Discussing plans for activities during the Conference for Post-Program Activities

Phone: +81-(0)3-3249-0767 Fax: +81-(0)3-3639-2436 E-mail: [email protected] IYEO website: http://www.iyeo.or.jp SWYAA website: http://www.swyaa.org

Children’s Cancer Hospital Egypt 57357

Optional Tour Hatshepsut Temple near the Valley of the Kings

Tannora, One of the Egyptian traditional arts

The participants visit various NGOs to exchange opinions and to do some volunteer works.