Participating in JOICEP's Memorable Randoseru Gift Inspection Volunteer Activity♪

Memorable Randoseru Gift

"The Memorable Randoseru Gift" is an initiative by JOICEP (Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers for Education Promotion), an international cooperation NGO known for its White Ribbon Run and Charity Pinky Ring.

The Memorable Randoseru Gift program involves donating used Randoseru (traditional Japanese school backpacks) from Japan to Afghanistan, supporting the education of children, particularly girls who lack educational opportunities, through international assistance activities. 

By receiving a Randoseru, children in Afghanistan are given the chance to receive an education, and these Randoseru from Japan have provided significant opportunities in the lives of Afghan children. The goal is for children to learn in school, acquire the ability to read and write, and gain knowledge and information to protect themselves and their families (source: JOICEP website).

I participated in this program by donating my own Randoseru about three years ago. In my case, the motivation to participate stemmed from my desire to find a way to deal with my Randoseru, which I still had in my parents' storage despite being over 20 years old, rather than noble intentions. It was essentially a decluttering effort.

However, the idea that the Randoseru I used for six years would find its way into the hands of someone overseas was somewhat exciting. I remember putting new school supplies like notebooks and pencils inside before sending it.

Randoseru Inspection Volunteer

This year, after a hiatus, the opportunity to participate in the Randoseru inspection volunteer activity arose, so I decided to take part. The location was a large warehouse about 20 minutes by bus from Shinagawa Station.

Due to heavy rain from a typhoon the day before, we started later than planned, but fortunately, the weather cleared up, providing ideal conditions for the inspection!

Initially, we confirmed the schedule and had a ceremony where we presented the Randoseru to the representative of the local partner organization from Afghanistan (middle school students played a major role!).

Then, we got down to work immediately. A tremendous amount of Randoseru had already been unpacked and placed there, but there were still more to go.

I was assigned to a group responsible for opening cardboard boxes and stacking Randoseru into piles. We divided into three groups: the group inspecting the mountain of Randoseru, the group packing them into boxes for shipment to Afghanistan, and the group taking on various tasks based on the progress of the work.

After a while, I moved to other groups' tasks based on the progress. At that time, I was surprised to find that the Randoseru were much lighter than when I used them.

I'm a bit worried if the child who received my Randoseru thinks, "What's this? It's so heavy!" at a level beyond expectation...

Carrying four Randoseru at once was quite laborious. Nevertheless, when I thought about how everyone's memories were packed inside this mountain (although much lighter than the one I used), it made the effort worthwhile.

During break time, we received souvenirs, such as candies from Afghanistan, and had the opportunity to listen to stories about local children. It was a fulfilling time that allowed us to learn and gain valuable experiences.

Volunteer Participation Certificate

At the end of the activity, each of us received a volunteer participation certificate.

It feels great to be able to say that I was involved in the Randoseru Gift initiative from start to finish (on the Japanese side), even though it has been nearly a decade since that day when I graduated from elementary school or sent my Randoseru from home. It's a feeling of being able to contribute, even if only a little, to the future of the children in Afghanistan who received the Randoseru. It's not about being a foreign country or Afghanistan specifically, but the fact that we were able to connect with someone through lines that wouldn't normally intersect. That's the meaning I find in participating in this event.

Although I don't have any Randoseru to give away in the future, I hope that by sharing my experience, more people will become aware of the Randoseru Gift as an option other than simply "throwing it away."

Reflections during Volunteering

By the way, the staff members and partner staff at JOICEP are amazing.

They are not event organizers but regular employees of the organization, yet they patiently explain what we need to do and even guide us to the storage area. They communicate with guests in English as if it were normal.

I realized that these individuals, who are working for the sake of others, possess the skill of "engaging" not only with people from distant countries but also with those within reach. Although this might not be a skill I need in my job, I think it would make a positive impact in other activities. After I complete my studies abroad and return, I want to become someone who possesses such skills.