Sunday, July 01, 2007
“I couldn’t describe my life in Japan without mentioning 2HJ”
Four-year Volunteer Coordinator Jason Kueh
2HJ’s Saturday Soup Kitchen in Ueno Park, from preparation to cleanup, involves a total of 30 to 50 volunteers every week. Jason Kueh, along with Patricia Decker, has been working as the coordinator of this large number of volunteers. I had a chance to ask Jason a few questions before he returned to the US in July for graduate school.
What do you do as a volunteer coordinator?
“Our job is to arrange for the number of people we need to arrive where we need them, when we need them. First of all, every Tuesday we send out a weekly announcement of upcoming volunteering needs to the 600 or so people on our e-mail list. Then, as we wait for people to respond, we consider things like the amount of food coming in that week and whether a group is signed up to volunteer. Based on that we decide how to allocate the volunteers and tasks. On Saturday we also have other volunteer leaders, so we work with them to make sure the volunteers do the tasks properly and according to schedule. We carefully think through the menu—‘Should we make more rice next time?’ ‘Since we’ve got extra vegetables this time, let’s put them in the soup’—and keep an eye on the big picture so the activities go smoothly.”
How did you get started with 2HJ?
“It was four years ago, when I was working as a consultant at a software company. Work was all-consuming—I sometimes had to take the last train home—and it hit me that something was missing. I wanted to be more involved in the community. I wanted to do something useful. I asked around, and a group that worked as an intermediary between individuals and NPOs introduced me to 2HJ.”
That was still in 2HJ’s early days, wasn’t it?
“Right. At that time, the organization was called “Food Bank Japan” and we didn’t even have a warehouse. At the beginning we were just lining up bread and vegetables in Sumida Park and handing them out to the people living in the park. Even so, I felt it was really worthwhile to be involved in saving perfectly edible food from being thrown away and providing it to those in need.”
What made you want to become a volunteer coordinator?
“I hadn’t been volunteering long when (Executive Director) Charles announced he was looking for someone to organize the volunteers, so I thought I’d give it a shot and see what I could do. I didn’t expect at that time that I’d end up coming out almost every week, though!”
2HJ has come a long way in the four years since you joined.
“Now there’s an office and a warehouse, and the Harvest Pantry is up and running. The Saturday distribution has moved from Sumida Park to Ueno Park, and now we serve rice and miso soup, salad and cooked items—we’re able to provide a hot meal to 400–500 people every week. I’m surprised at how far we’ve come. The number of volunteers is also on the rise. Sometimes so many people want to sign up that we have to turn some away. I’m also happy that we’re now seeing more Japanese participants.”
What have these four years meant for you?
“I was fortunate to make many good friends through 2HJ’s activities, and I’ve made personal progress as well. Before, I preferred working alone, but after being a coordinator, I came to know the fun and importance of working with others for a good cause. I couldn’t describe my life in Japan without mentioning 2HJ—that’s how big a part of my life it’s been. I’m truly impressed by the enthusiasm and efforts of Charles and the staff and volunteers.”
What’s your message to volunteers?
“I think there are a lot of people who are busy and can rarely volunteer. I also had many times when I thought, ‘It’s Saturday—I don’t want to get up early.’ I’d like volunteers to try to push themselves a little. You may have to sacrifice something, but if you can increase your participation by even just one time, I think you’ll find some kind of reward or discovery.”
Jason, thanks for all your work!
Writer: Etsuko Ohara
Photo: Vivian Chan
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