Plans for fiscal year 2008
The 1st general meeting was held at “Icho-no-Yakata” in Yokohama City University
on May 18th, 2008. About 40 people attended, including 4 staff from the
Kanazawa Ward Office, Orion Lions’ director and WE21 Japan’s director as
guests. All section managers reported our achievements from the start of
the Lounge; and the activity plans for fiscal year 2008.
We had some concern for our activities of 7 months in the fiscal year 2007
because of the lack of prepared period. We have been busy with activities
such as “Japanese Language Class” and “International exchange”, various
events and foreign visitors to the Lounge for consulting. So far 337 people
consulted us, in six foreign languages.
As of April this year, we have
started offering information for members of “Foreign parents and infants
in Yokohama City”.
After training for 50 hours, the participants of “Training course for Japanese
language teachers” will be volunteer Japanese language teachers for foreigners.
To help the increasing number of foreign students, we started a new Saturday
class beginning in May this year.
On June 21st, 87 people joined us for an introduction to their home countries by a woman from Finland and a man from Benin, in Africa. This event was a good opportunity for foreign residents and our volunteers to understand each other.
We will start every-day life support for foreigners from July this year,
in co-operation with “Yokohama City Volunteer Interpreters System”, and
available in many languages. We have many plans for various events, such
as lectures and exhibitions. We intend the Lounge to be open for residents
to exchange with foreign students in the favorable situation of Yokohama
City University Campus.
Please join us in our events and enjoy your life.