40th years anniversary JICA Volunteer Program in Thailand - Sharing for the best and Growing Together -

[With regards to the 40th anniversary of JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in Thailand]

Name: Yumi OGAWA(former family name : HASHIMOTO)
Field: Youth Activity
Group of dispatch: 2016-1
Assignment term: June 27, 2016 - March 21, 2018
Assignment place: Phitsanulok Welfare Protection of Victims Trafficking Center (Baan Songkhawe)

Title: "The meeting that I also want to connect with from now on"

First of all, congratulations on the 40th year anniversary. To reach this day, I believe that many people are dedicated to being a bridge between Thailand and Japan. Among those people, becoming one of the members, it has been my fortune to be able to create and carry out many activities with Thai people.

I was dispatched to Phitsanulok Welfare Protection of Victims Trafficking Center (Baan Songkhawe). There were more than 100 children, ages from middle to high school, admitted to the center. My goal was to carry out activities which would make those children become relaxed and continue their daily life with peace of mind. During the days when I thought about how I could do anything for the children by listening to their worries and memories with their families, I also wanted to improve my Thai language for a better understanding and communication with them.

When staff from other centers visited my center, I had a chance to present my activities in Thai language. At that time I said that "I would like to emphasize the importance of listening to children" and it would make me very happy if the staff still keep those words in their minds.

I was sharing a room with another staff of the center. Because this staff and I had many similar ideas and perspectives in supporting children, we could discuss many issues. It can be said that my meeting with this person was a turning point of my activities.

After returning to Japan, I also have a lot of chances to recall my memories about life in Thailand by selling goods that were made by children at the center and introducing Thai culture to people. Even now, 3 years after returning to Japan, I still miss Thailand and hope that I could meet everyone again someday.

Explanation the activities to children

Weekly News Letter of first acceptance room

Explanation activities at shelter by counterpart

Arts using a part of their body

Impression on JICA volunteer

Ms. Yumi was a very friendly person and could get along with children and staff of the center very well. She was always energetic and concentrated in her works. During 1 year and 8 months at Songkhawe Home, Ms. Yumi created many rehabilitation and recreation activities together with staff of the first acceptation room of the shelter that made children happy and relaxed, and reduced their stress. Because, during the first acceptation period of those children at the center, they have a lot of stress and worries, the center needs to create many activities to de-stress and empower the children. The activities were such as needle craft, art therapy, and meditation etc. Ms. Yumi completed her activities regardless of different culture and language. She was interested in Thai culture and also exchanged Japanese culture with the shelter by teaching Japanese language and cooking Japanese food, which were popular attractions for children at the center.

Ms. Anusara Rattanaburee (Counterpart)