Volunteers: 4
Age: over 18
Language: English / Japanese
Host Institution: Musashino-kai Oshima Meguminosono
Airport: Narita International Airport
Terminal: Takeshiba Passenger Boat Terminal (JR Hamamatsu-cho Station)
Background:
The host institution, "Musashino-Kai" runs many facilities for the retarded, and/or elderly people, and orphans. They accept people who are physically or mentally handicapped and are in need of help in their daily lives. For example, the people can take a bath and have meals with help of care workers. Rehabilitation and recreation programs are also offered. The staff is also engaged in visiting-home helper service, helping people take a bath, cooking their meals and doing other general help in their daily lives. There are 2 facilities, Oshima Megumi-no-Sono and Oshima Megumi-no-Sono#2 in Oshima Island, and approximately 80 mentally retarded people are living with support in each facility .
Work:
Volunteers will be engaged in maintenance of the facilities, such as changing sheets making beddings and folding clothes. You will also help people living in the facility (Age from 20-60) with their daily routines, such as taking a bath, eating meals and doing exercise. Volunteers will also join activities such as ceramic arts and crafts and be encouraged to interact with the people at the facility.
Accommodation:
Volunteers will be accommodated in the dormitory.
Facilities:
Bedding will be provided. There are a washer, a kitchen, a lavatory and a bathroom. A TV, an air conditioner and a refrigerator furnished.
Meals:
All meals will be provided in the dormitory.
What to bring:
Volunteers are encouraged to bring work clothes (long sleeved shirts and long pants), indoor shoes, a hat/cap and a swimwear to use when helping with the resident’s bath time.
Note:
Volunteers who are broad-minded, friendly and always smile when talking to the people are most welcome. Basic Japanese skill would be helpful to communicate with them.
You can go swimming, hiking on a mountain nearby, taking a walk, riding a horse during day-offs.
Location:
Oshima is 1 hour and 45 minutes away by high speed boat from Takeshiba or 30 minutes flight from Haneda Airport. The sea around the island is so beautiful that it is most popular among snorkelers and divers.
URL：
Izu Oshima Turist Information: http://www.town.oshima.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
Oshima meguminosono: http://www.oshima-megumi.jp/
Tokai Kisen Co. Ltd.: http://www.tokaikisen.co.jp/english/
Remarks
PLEASE be aware: it is the facility for MENTALY RETARDED PEOPLE.
Volunteers who studied the field of welfare or social security or who have experiences of similar activities are most desirable. Volunteers need to have some understanding of people who are mentally retarded (with autism disorder, Down syndrome etc.) or developmentally disabled, and to have basic skills of nursing care.
- Jargon words editorial supervision by Meguminosono