Community Support and Volunteering
Why should you volunteer?
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 the Community Representative.
Activities
- Regular visits to Shinwaen orphanage, retirement homes and homes for people with disabilites are planned by the Community Representative.
- Regular visits to the Uwajima orphanage are currently planned by Richard in Uwajima in addition to the CR's efforts in Matsuyama.
World Organizations
Amnesty International
Habitat for Humanity
Unicef
Oxfam
Green Peace
