Volunteer work of the "Interact" club in Sasayama Houmei HS

When the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake occurred, our Interact club was in its third year since foundation. Our club's motto is "Touch by hearts" that means we will understand each other if we do our best. Because of financial and geographical reasons, we could not participate in the volunteer work in Kobe. In a situation like this, we had the chance to do volunteer work at a local home for the elderly where many old and handicapped people took refuge from Kobe. We managed to participate in rescue operations with lesser burdens for students.

When we visited the disaster areas, we were shocked by the real situations which were totally different from the images on TV. In the disaster areas, we visited old people living alone in temporary houses. Keeping our motto in mind, we tried hard to do volunteer work with significance. As other volunteer work, we did fund raising activities to cheer up children who had taken refuge and come here from Kobe, and sent donation money to Turkey, Taiwan and Nepal. We also did unique volunteer activities such as "vegetable distribution". In these activities, we first visited farmers and asked them to give us some vegetables. We then sent the vegetables to refugees and shelters. When we received the letters of thanks from the shelters, we delivered them to the farmers.

Now we have been involved in volunteer work in the Philippines for 3 years recovering greens by planting kudzu that grows even in volcano ashes. When we visited the Aeta tribe who are under severe discrimination due to their short height and dark skin in the Philippines, we were able to communicate with the Aeta people by cooperating in planting kudzu, digging wells for drinking water and opening an outside school. Although the Aeta children were not able to go to school due to discrimination, they were serious and eager in studying. Through these activities, we learned that it was important to put ourselves in the place of the Aeta people when we do volunteer work for them. It is the Aeta people who play the leading role.

-Student's impressions-

Their motto, "Touch by hearts", were such impressive words. They are simple and easy to understand. I was surprised by their activities in the Philippines. Listening to their story, I am also interested in such activities.

I think it is not easy to realize volunteer work with significance and hearts. From now on, I want to keep their motto in my mind and do my best to realize it.