Tokyo - a fast world

Tokyo, what a fast world! Since I have a lot to tell, I think it will be good if I do it in phases, hope you don't mind. I think to visit Tokyo, is a once in a lifetime opportunity and it's just fair to give it all the attention it deserves. A five (5) day observation trip was arranged as part of our training course and we officially visited the following places:

1. The International Medical Centre of Japan

Here we received a lecture by Jun Kobayashi MD PhD, a JICA expert on Global Parasite Control. The lecture was mainly on Health Promoting Schools. His e-mail in case anyone is interested to contact him regarding Health Promoting Schools is: j-kobayashi@it.imcj.go.jp

2. AIDS Information Center

The center operates under the jurisdiction of Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Three peer staff member provide HIV/AIDS preventative services to the youth. They are in close cooperation with the government health centre in the same building for referral services. The youth are involve in the developing of IEC materials and it is therefore very much responsive to the needs of the youth.

3. National museum of emerging science and innovation

Very fascinating place to visit and very useful to students to be updated with all new developments in the world! The big earth ball is definetely the biggest attraction. You can lie down on a couch (as if you are on the beach) and just stare at it!

4. Japanese Organisation for International Cooperation in Family Planning (JOICFP)

We had a very interesting lecture about reproductive health and we were exposed to some teaching aids used during IEC/BCC activities, like 'Maggy's apron' and the use of picture dramas. We did some roleplays which almost killed us because of all the laughter shared. It was indeed such a wonderful experience.

5. Meguro Parasitological museum

Will you believe me if I'm telling you that you can have a hookworm inside you of about 8 metres! This was one of the shocking realities we faced when we visited this museum. Again a very useful place for students to explore and to understand the world of parasitology better.

Having such wonderful 'parents' in the form of Miyagi san and Nana san, it's obvious that visiting Tokyo was not only about official business. We shared a lot of unforgetable memories and I will try my best to give you some highlights:

We went to the temple and drinking water from this source and even washing your face is allowed. Our coordinator explained to us the reason for doing so.

Digital Video Shooting and Editing

This exercise was a very nice and interesting experience. We felt like journalists! The adrenaline levels were high, exitement levels were high and most of all we could not wait to see the final products after editing! We had the chance to practise our video shooting skills by means of operating the video camera, but at the same time, we were also the shooting targets! I enjoyed it very much and laughed too much. (see pictures in opposite column)

Happy Girl's Day

Hi my dearest friends

For more information on this day, can you please click on my dear friend and only follower at this stage, mwagso's blog. She wrote an article on our behalf.... Am posing here with Boi, a girl from Botswana.

Video - If tomorrow never comes

http://video.tagged.com/?v=ksxxVYHBkqI


This is a very important message to each of us. Let's take time to express appreciation to our loved ones everyday! You will not loose anything, it's free and you will just make that someone that you love a happier person. Let us also be sincere and really mean it when we say ' I LOVE YOU'.....