Volunteer Participants

 

At the exchange camp, I was in charge of looking after the children in different rooms. The children were very shy, and even when they didn't understand what I was saying, they couldn't say no. So I made an effort to face each child, look them in the eye, and patiently communicate with them. I made a conscious effort to always smile and praise them a lot. Then, on the second day, the children stopped withdrawing into their shells, tried using chopsticks, and began to try to communicate their needs to me. The children, who had been shy and tended to look down, started to smile more and more, and they started to teach children from other countries the games of their countries and to actively interact with others.

On the last night, I crawled into each child's bed and asked them about their best memory from camp. They had a variety of memories, from games in the room to sports days and social gatherings, but I was very happy that all the children in the room were able to make memories.

What made the biggest impression on me at this year's camp were the many different kinds of smiles I saw. The brightest smiles of children from various countries, the smiles of the volunteers even though they were all sweaty and messy, and my own smile as I laughed innocently with the children in the photos. This year's exchange camp was full of smiles, and it became a wonderful memory for me.

(3rd year university student, 2nd year volunteer)

 

 

What I felt after participating in APCC's activities this time was the "high level of awareness of the (volunteer) staff!" I joined after I had become a working adult, but more than half of the staff were students, and although they were younger than me, they all had a really high level of awareness. This inspired me and was a great benefit to me. I thought to myself, "If only I had known about such an organization when I was a student!!" but I believe it's never too late to do anything, and I would like to study hard for next year so that I can be of more use to APCC's activities.

(Working adult, 1 year volunteer experience)

 

(Without APCC) I would never have aimed to become an elementary school teacher, which is completely unrelated to the path I have taken up until now, and I would never have gone overseas to stay at a local friend's house. Thanks to them, I still have personal interactions with many child ambassadors. And...I have met my precious volunteer friends, who are now indispensable to me. Everyone taught me the importance of smiles, hard work, and compassion...I have many friends whom I respect, regardless of whether they are younger or older than me, or their gender. I want to cherish these precious "bonds" forever.

(3rd year university student, 3 years volunteer experience)

 

During the summer of my first year of university, I was invited by a friend to participate in APCC volunteering, and if I hadn't participated in this activity, I don't think I would have had such a fulfilling life and become a narrow-minded person. Of course, I gained a lot of experiences, but the most important thing was meeting new people. Since people of all ages participated, I was able to hear the opinions of people younger than me as well as those with more experience, and it made me think that I need to work harder! I think that in that respect too, volunteering has helped me grow.

(2nd year university student, 2 years volunteer experience)

 

I heard about it from an acquaintance and went to the registration meeting without knowing what it was. At the registration meeting, the words "Let's make friends with people all over the world! Because you don't go to war with friends." struck a chord with me and I decided to register immediately. Those words are still my favorite words. For me, volunteering is for world peace and, above all, it is an important thing that has a big impact on me.

(Working adult, 1 year volunteer experience)

 

I learned about APCC when I was 10 years old (5th grade). My elementary school was hosting children during the summer, and my friend's house was my host family, so I spent the summer with the junior ambassadors. I ended up becoming closer to William from the Maldives than my host friend's friends. We went to baseball games together (the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks were still playing at the time) and to the pool. My favorite memory is the performance event in front of the city hall. I saw dances from various countries and heard many languages flying around the venue, and I thought, "The world is so big!" But children from all those countries are gathered in Fukuoka! I still remember thinking that it was amazing. And what did I think? My friend and my younger brother and I were playing together, and we decided not to speak Japanese, but to speak in English! We played as if we were speaking the language of some other country. I think I was too influenced by the children who spoke so many different languages (laughs).

However, through these experiences, I learned about APCC and the volunteers who wore yellow T-shirts. When I was 10 years old, I admired the older men and women who worked in yellow T-shirts, and now I wear those T-shirts when I work. I think the impression and influence of APCC when I was an elementary school student was very big, and I think that interacting with children from various countries at an early age when they have no prejudice will be a good asset for children.

Since joining APCC, I have met so many people and learned so much that it is hard to put into words. I believe I have grown as a person.

(4th year of university, 4 years of volunteer experience)

 

I started volunteering at the APCC "for myself." But then it changed to "for someone else," and now it has become something "irreplaceable." There is no doubt that my encounter with the APCC has greatly changed my life.

I first encountered it five years ago, when I was a freshman at university. I happened to come across a flyer and thought, "International exchange? Sounds fun!" That was the only thought I had when I applied for the information session. I didn't know anyone there. If I say so myself, I think I was pretty brave.

The most interesting thing about APCC is meeting people. Meeting fellow volunteers with strong personalities and warm hearts, including everyone at the office, the Child Ambassadors and Chaperone Peace Ambassadors who come every year, is a great treasure for me. Even when I faced a problem that I couldn't solve alone or wouldn't have been able to move forward, many of my fellow volunteers helped me and gave me a push. I realize that that's how I've come this far. There are many people I respect, regardless of age.

I love the words of a volunteer who speaks to us every year at the camp: "One step is small, but if 50 people take a step at once, we can move forward 50 steps." APCC taught me the importance of friends.

My encounter with APCC sparked my interest in education, and after many twists and turns, I am now working at an elementary school. It's a process of trial and error, but I'm enjoying my days making use of the experience I gained at APCC. Now that I'm working, I can no longer devote as much time to volunteering as I did as a student, but APCC will always remain important to me.

(Working adult, 5 years of volunteer experience)