Participants Voice
APCC VOICE
Akiko Miyake
Japan
In the spring of 2024, she participated in her first APCC volunteering as one of the Maldives delegation's Chaperons, and has continued to volunteer at the BRIDGE Summer Camp since then.
Invaluable friends and meaningful experiences
[What made you decide to become a Chaperone ?]
I was originally a volunteer in Japan, but I had always wanted to volunteer overseas. Around the beginning of November, my family told me about APCC's volunteer escort program in the newspaper, so I looked at the ad and saw that I could take children to the Maldives and Mongolia, places I'd never been to before, and I really wanted to participate. At the time, I was also attending a vocational school to get a Japanese language teacher's qualification, so I thought it would be nice to be able to teach Japanese overseas, and so I applied.
[Benefits of volunteering as a Chaperone]
Although we actually went overseas in late March, we first met the children in late January. In the two months leading up to our departure, we underwent various training sessions, but I think the greatest attraction of volunteering as a chaperone is being able to see the children grow, take on various challenges overseas, and become so proactive that it's hard to believe they're no longer a part of the group.
[Difficulties]
The content of the training to be conducted with the members is decided and implemented by the leader and vice leader. We had many concerns, such as "Is this the right way to do it?" and "Will the children enjoy participating in the training?" We also paid attention to time management during the training. As a result, everyone enjoyed participating in the training and gradually we became more united, so I think it was worth the effort.
[What impressed me the most]
There are many memorable moments, but the one that really stood out to me was when I went to Kudagiri Island in the Maldives with my children and host friends and swam with them. I still remember the crystal clear water that is unimaginable in Japan and the beaming smiles of everyone.
And the children have grown up so quickly! They have become so much stronger and more mature than when I first met them. I myself was also able to make irreplaceable friends there, and it was a very meaningful experience.
