Introduction of citizen activities in Tsuzuki Ward   by inhabitant of a ward writer "I started volunteering."

Interviews, photos, and texts = inhabitant of a ward writer Kanako Midorikawa

100 years of life.
School, company, housework, childcare, nursing care. Every day is too busy.
In such a case, I wonder if this is the case.
Can you do something different?
"People don't live with bread alone."
I want to do something useful not only for myself but also for others.
Well, let's try volunteering. But what should I do specifically?
I want you to read it.
I would like to introduce some seniors who took part in volunteering a little earlier.

[Senko Uchida]
A member of the Rainbow Forest Network for Children

Mr. Uchida, who is attractive and active with a shining smile

Midorikawa: Could you tell me how you started volunteering?

Uchida: I've been interested in volunteering for a long time, and I've always wanted to do it.
When one's clothing, food, and house are satisfied, they want to give it to others next.
But at first I don't know what to do.
First of all, when I was collecting information on my own, I was able to meet a very good online course.
Kanagawa Community College sponsored by Dr. Hiroshi Korogi
This is a course called "Life Design in the age of 100 years of life, Journey to Find myself and Voluntary Life".
In this course, a wide variety of volunteers were categorized in detail.
From the chart, I became clear what I wanted to do.
It was narrowed down to two points: "helping foreigners" and "agriculture" in Japan.
Then I went to the ward activity center in Tsuzuki Ward  .
At first it was somewhat difficult to enter, and it ended with just passing a few times before.
There was a time when there was no one by chance, so I went in with courage.
When I stepped into one step, Mr. Aoki, the coordinator.
"Is it possible to do both foreign and agriculture?" He introduced the NPO that he currently belongs to.

Midorikawa: Could you tell me the details of your activities?

Uchida: Above all, the philosophy is amazing.
The founder was involved in the protection of rainforests around the world at the United Nations agency.
There is a reality that it is no longer possible.
Then I would like to start with the education of children with a future.
We are building a network with children through tree planting and farming experiences.
I have joined for the second year. Approximately 10 staff members are active once a month (several times during the event).
Cultivate soybeans with parent and child participants in a field in Shibusawa, and make miso with the harvested soybeans.
We hold parent-child cooking class events by foreign teachers.
It's really delicious because it's organically grown.

Midorikawa: Mr. Uchida, thank you for answering lively with a bright smile.
The dishes made with soybeans grown in the field look really delicious. I'd like to try it.
The philosophy is also wonderful. I really sympathize with you.
It's very rewarding for the future earth.

(Photo courtesy of NPO Children's Rainbow Forest Network)

[Toru Mitsutake]
Member of KANJI Club

Mitsutake, who is curious and challenges various activities.

Midorikawa: Could you tell me how you started volunteering?

Mitsutake: In June 2022, we applied for the "Citizen Writer Training Course", a voluntary business of the Tsuzuki Residents' Activities Center.
Fortunately, I was able to participate in the lottery.
During the pair work of the course, I practiced self-introduction and interview article making, and was impressed by the good quality of making topics.
After that, we actually went to the three facilities and went to visit Kakehashi Tsuzuki, an activity base for welfare and health in Tsuzuki Ward  .
The fact that I was able to write the article in charge made me feel confident.
Through extra exchanges (lunch and tea) with other students, I was stimulated and felt positive about volunteer activities.
Furthermore, in September, I participated in an introductory course for Japanese volunteers.
How to start volunteer activities in group work in an introductory course
While exchanging opinions with other students, I heard the idea that "I can't understand unless I first visit and start."
As a result, we started learning support activities as an assistant to senior volunteers.

Midorikawa: Please tell me the details of your activities.

Mitsutake: For children connected to foreign countries, every Saturday afternoon, help with homework at school every two hours.
I support my study, such as last week's review and next week's preparation.
I read school textbooks in advance to prepare to find tips for learning, and to make practice problems.
Every day, 24 hours a day, I take care of both work and volunteering as well.
If you feel curiosity, the first step is to contact the other party and listen to the story.
And when registering as a volunteer, the words that Mr. Hayashida, director of MY Plaza, continued to be impressive.
"I hope you have fun. If you don't have fun, you can't continue."
It's really true, and it's been half a year since I started, but I go to the classroom every week because I have vitality.
It's fun to be useful to others, so I think that's why it's for me.

Midorikawa: Mr. Mitsutake, thank you very much for talking about your passion.
It is wonderful that interest is rewarding, having fun, for others, and for yourself.

(Photo: Continuing MY Plaza)

I set up an antenna to collect various information, clearly narrowed down what I wanted to do, and arrived.
A rewarding volunteer activity. Curiosity, information gathering ability, and action ability to actually take action are important.
And most of all, enjoy it. The story of the two people who are fulfilling is very helpful.
First of all, I would like to consult at the inhabitant of a ward activity center.
It was past as usual, but entering one step may open the way.
If you are in doubt, why don't you go to hear the story once?