Why Volunteer? / Activities

Community Support and Volunteering

by Nathalie Mercier

Let's not be all altruistic about this. Yes, there is that warm fuzzy feeling that you get when you do something nice for someone else. But let's face it, you could also find a warm fuzzy feeling at the bottom of a bottle of sake. So, for the cynics among you, I have compiled a list. This is the 'what`s in it for you' list. I call it 'Volunteering versus Sake'.

•  You will be seen to be having a positive impact on your community. With sake, perhaps the bar-tender at your local izakaya will appreciate your financial support, but you are unlikely to gain the respect of your neighbours and colleagues when you stagger home in the early hours of the morning and then stagger into work with a hangover.

•  You will get to meet lots of interesting and different people. You may find that your contacts in Japan are from similar social circles. Meet new people from different backgrounds and with different life experiences. And unlike with sake, if you volunteer, you may actually remember some of the new people you've met the next day.

•  It's free!! Here in Japan a free and entertaining weekend is hard to come across. Sake is not free unless you make it yourself or are offered it by an inebriated colleague at 3am if you promise to sing the theme from `Titanic` with him (neither are recommended).

•  It's fun!! We don't want you to come up with a solution for the Iraq Crisis. We don't even ask that you think. All that we ask is that you come along and enjoy yourself by playing games / singing songs / talking to people. You'd do that on a Friday night at your local karaoke bar anyway. But this way, your liver will thank you and you'll be making a difference to people who will really appreciate it.

So, if you've read this and are ready to get your volunteering shoes on…

Contact me! Or look out for my posts on the Ehime Newslist.

If you have any ideas…

Contact me!

Or if you're more cynical / did not appreciate my Volunteering versus Sake analogy / or are just plain not convinced… ???

Contact me…!

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•  I will be arranging regular visits to Shinwaen orphanage in Matsuyama . This project has been running for two years now. Usually the visits are about an hour long and involve entertaining the shogakko kids. I want to organize themed visits, e.g. Craft Day, Music Day, Halloween Party, Christmas Party. If anyone has any ideas for themes or activities, please contact me.

•  I am establishing links with other organizations, such as retirement homes, throughout Ehime. If anyone has any other ideas or contacts, please contact me.

•  I am building up a library of information from various charities and voluntary organizations which can be used by JETs for their personal reference or as teaching resources.

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