Relay Message from Returned Volunteers and Counterpart [Vol. 4 Mr. Shohei KUNIYA]

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

Name: Shohei KUNIYA
Field: Occupational Therapy
Group of dispatch: 2015-1
Assignment term: 29 June 2015 – 28 June 2017
Assignment place: Potharam Hospital

I was dispatched to Potharam Hospital, Ratchaburi Province for 2 years from 2015 to 2017 as an Occupational Therapist. My activities during my assignment were to instruct and advise regarding Occupational Therapy techniques, and I had home visits to instruct on rehabilitation and provide exercise guidance to the elderly at local health centers. The most memorable moment for me was 3 months before returning to Japan when I and community health volunteers were together able to establish a day care center for elderly people and people with disabilities in the area. Because we could have a place to spend time during the day, elderly people who were only sleeping at home came to the day care center and became lively, which made me feel that it was the same practice as in Japan.

Since Thailand is a country with knowledge and experience, I think instead of "giving instructions" it is more important to "create ideas together with local people". Although I have already returned to Japan for 4 years, even now I still keep in touch and exchange ideas with those local people. Before the outbreak of COVID-19, I went to the area around once a month to continue supporting them. I would like to express my thankfulness to all staff of the JICA Volunteer Unit and those Thai people who always gave me warm support. I do hope that the JICA Volunteer Program in Thailand will continue from now on.

My name is Wimonsri Samorn, a professional nurse, as a counterpart of Mr. Kuniya Shohei. I'm very glad and impressed that I could be a part of the success of his plan of volunteer activities. Mr. Shohei concentrated in and worked hard on his tasks. Also, he is a very friendly person, which helped him a lot in working in Thailand with colleagues and his patients. As a result, working in Thailand for 2 years as a volunteer was accomplished without any major problems. Even though he has returned to Japan, many works and impressions of the volunteer still remain in the thoughts of colleagues and the people of Potharam. Also, I, myself feel that Mr. Shohei is kind of one of my family members. As well, Mr. Shohei also introduced Thai culture to his Japanese friends when visiting Thailand. Even when I had a chance to visit Japan, Mr. Shohei and his friends took care of me very well. and that made me felt warm and familiar with Japanese culture very much. Even though time has passed, Mr. Shohei still keeps in touch with us by contacting me when he has to teach Japanese students regarding Thai culture and so on, which impresses me a lot. The most impressive aspect of his work is that it is still useful for Potharam and Ratchaburi people is the day care center.

Ms. Wimonsri Samorn (Counterpart)