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The Tokyo YWCA(Tokyo
Young Women's Christian Association) is a women’s organization
based on Christian faith, started in November of 1905 with
Tsuda Umeko for the first President. Though it is a Christian
organization, it is also open to non-Christians who agree
with its aim.
-->The
Aim of The YWCA |
“JAPANESE
MOTHERS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS”
MOVEMENT (JMIS Movement) is a volunteer group which covers
a wide range of activities related to international students studying
in Japan. It is based on numerous one-on-one (international student
/ Japanese mother) relations in the family context and aims at
helping those youngsters fulfill their studies in Japan by friendly
communication. At the same time, JMIS Movement has been trying
to improve study and living environment for them in our society.
We believe those activities lead to mutual trust and understanding
beyond national boundaries.
JMIS Committee
JMIS Movement is operated by the JMIS committee representing 350
members, and by 4 subcommittees.
Student-Mother Matching
>Upon joining JMIS, a new member is matched
with an international student and becomes his/her Japanese “mother” to
give spiritual support. (It is not home-stay.)
Members warmly accept the matched students in their families. Though
how to keep relations is up to each member, the relationships often
last not only during the students’ study years but even longer.
Meeting
Day
The matched student and JMIS mother are introduced to each
other for the first time on the Meeting Day. It is held toward
the end of May and marks the birth of about 120 new “families” every
year. |
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Regional Groups
As the members are scattered over the vast
metropolitan area, each member is to belong to one of the 10 regional
groups. Each group holds its own meetings for the members’ mutual
support and friendship, and events for the students and family
members to enjoy together.
  
JMIS Scholarship
for International Students
JMIS Movement founded this scholarship program
according to their wishes to encourage international students who
study seriously in the face of financial difficulties and intend
to work, in the future, for the same ideal as the YWCA aims at.
With contributions by many people who understand and support the
Movement, and with members’ special efforts for the scholarship
funds, the program has offered the scholarship to 213 international
students by 2005.
Annual programs and other Events
The annual programs such as Orientation for
the Student Applicants, Meeting Day, Japanese Language Speech Contest,
Charity Concert and
Graduation Celebration are planned by the JMIS Committee. Also
various other events are held voluntarily by interested members.
Japanese Language Speech Contest for International
Students
Held every autumn, this contest gives an
opportunity to express their opinions in Japanese,
and also for the audience to learn much about the students’ values
and ways of thinking.
Charity Concert
Members
organize charity concerts, and hold regional bazaars in order to
raise funds for the JMIS Scholarship for International Students,
and for other JMIS activities.
Coming of Age Celebration
Members experienced in kimono dressing
help the international students wear formal kimono. This event celebrating
coming of age is very popular among students.
Voluntary Groups
Members
are very active in taking part in group activities according to
their special interests. There
are groups for :
- managing "Saturday
Conversation Lounge"
- managing "Advisory
Room for International Students "
- engaging in activities to support JMIS
financially
- working on issues of special concern about international
students
- studying about the students’ home countries
- keeping exchange with former international students
- editing JMIS magazine"Ryuugakusei to Watashitachi no Ayumi "(International
Students and Us) published semi-annually, carrying records
of the JMIS Movement, members' and students' opinions,etc.
- building and updating JMIS homepage
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