I was truly happy to hear you express your gratitude for our meeting multiple times (Otonari-san volunteer experience)

M.Y: I received kindness from locals while living abroad, so I want to help foreigners as well.

When I was living abroad due to my husband's job transfer, I strongly wanted to learn more about the culture and customs of that country and connect with locals who could answer my questions in a relaxed manner. Fortunately, many people were kind to me, and when I returned to Japan, I felt a desire to help foreigners as well. While searching for international exchange volunteer opportunities online, I found the Otonari-san Family Friend Program (hereafter referred to as OFP) and thought, "This is a wonderful program that is unlike any other international exchange volunteer opportunities!" I applied immediately.

In particular,

1. Engage in one-on-one interactions for six months
2. After a two-way discussion, we are pairing-up Japanese volunteers who meet the needs of foreign individuals.
3. During the six months of activity, the secretariat will provide strong support and oversight.

I believe these aspects are unique compared to other programs.

M.Y: Six months was just right for building a trust that can last into the future.

When I first spoke one-on-one with Person A, their bright and cheerful personality came through even on the online screen, and I felt that I wanted to talk to them more.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and A's busy schedule with parenting, most of our communication was through LINE. A's biggest concern was not understanding the letters and homework from her child's school, so I answered her questions whenever they arose.

We also shared updates about our families, sent photos from our travels or dining out, and engaged in casual exchanges even when there was no specific reason to connect. It felt more like a friendship where we would reach out casually whenever we thought, 'I wonder what they're up to.'

Although we couldn't meet in person very often during the pairing period, by the time we first met, we had already established a trusting relationship. Before we knew it, we had spent over three hours having lunch and it was a great time. I was truly touched by how many times you expressed your gratitude for our meeting in your messages. It made me genuinely happy. Additionally, I was delighted to hear you naturally talking about what we could do after the six-month pairing period (like, wouldn't it be great if we could do something around [month]?). It made me feel that we could continue this relationship for a long time.

It was a six-month program, but since our interactions were primarily text-based, it was the perfect duration to build a strong sense of trust. Although the program has ended, we approached each other with the mindset of being regular friends, without worrying about how long our relationship would last. Now that the pairing period is over, our relationship remains relaxed and easygoing.

I was very happy to be relied upon, and at the same time, I learned a lot from A's wonderful approach and mindset towards their family. Additionally, I hadn't used English at all since returning from abroad, but communicating with A while researching English words and phrases to make myself understood was a great source of motivation and learning.

During the period, when A-san had questions about insurance options available for foreigners, I was unsure how to respond and asked the coordinator for assistance. I was relieved that there was a system in place to quickly confirm with someone who had specialized knowledge. The coordinator guided us through a very thorough pairing-up process until the completion of our pairing, and I am truly grateful for their support.

Q:What message would you like to convey to those interested in volunteering with Otonari-san?

M.Y: The kindness and consideration of Japanese people can be hard to reach due to hesitation and language barriers, but OFP serves as a bridge.

I have come to realize that things like my child's elementary school communication notebook, swimming pool card, homework, and meetings with teachers, which I have passed by without any questions, can be significant hurdles for foreigners who do not understand the language. I believe there are many people, like Person A before participating in OFP, who want to ask various questions but hold back.

I feel that the kindness and consideration of the Japanese people often struggle to reach foreigners who are facing difficulties due to mutual reservations and language barriers, so I believe OFP is a great initiative to bridge that gap.

If you want to help foreigners but feel a bit uncertain, the OFP, which requires registration and ensures that everyone has a thorough interview before participating, is a very reassuring platform for your activities. I believe that simply applying as a Japanese volunteer is a wonderful first step. If you can support others at your own pace, I think you will naturally build good relationships, so please don't overthink it and give it a try. I'm sure you will have many insights and discoveries along the way.