I write this because someone told me to wake up from my loss
for something. >.<
One
of my best moment as student at Japanese Literature of Universitas Gadjah Mada
is when I was become a member of TOEGAMA. TOEGAMA is abbreviation for Tomodachi
Egao Gadjah Mada. Tomodachi is Japanese for friend while Egao is Japanese for
smile. I know it sounds weird but that doesn’t make us feel down at all. But I
think the name is just fine. The whole thing began on the 4th term when
2 of my senior, Mbak Pijar and Mbak Safi came to me, and asked me
whether I want to join TOEGAMA or no. As soon as they finished explaining about
TOEGAMA I eagerly accept the offering. I felt so lucky but on the other hand I
felt just like a victim of SUPERTRAP. :D But honestly I will never ever forget
that moment.
Our
activity within TOEGAMA is none other than accompanying the students and
sometimes the professors of Ritsumeikan University, Japan on their research.
They formed a team named CheRits. They set up activities concerning natural
disaster within Kalakijo, Bantul, Yogyakarta. By the way the project was made
because Mr. Tatang Hariri, one of my lecturers is an acquaintance. They are
doing the project up till now. The activities hold by spring (haru) and summer
(natsu) each year. Which mean twice a year. Each year there are new members
from both TOEGAMA and CheRits. I have been come along with them twice. Each
times with different team. The first one was last year’s summer and the second
was this year’s spring. My role is as companion whose job is translate the
project’s plan and help them to communicate with the locals. They can’t speak
Indonesian at all. But they really give their best to say thanks, good morning,
good evening and the other simple words.
dinner at Gajah Wong Restaurant
Ari Wijaya, Risa-san, Me
Me, Tasuku-san, Mbak Safi
Matsubara-san at Kalakijo
Mikihiro-san at Kalakijo
Me and Kubo-san at Museum Gunung Merapi
Me and Nanako-san at Museum Gunung Merapi
The
activities usually take about a week up to 10 days. We do the
preparation at MM UGM by hold a meeting. On the meeting we talk about our plan
and preparing everything for activities in Kalakijo, Bantul. Usually at the 3rd
day the Japanese students go for some home stay in Kalakijo. They adapt pretty
well with the environment and condition within Kalakijo. The
first time I came along I stay with Nanako and Risa. The owner of the house was
very kind. They gave a considerable amount of foods for us, lent us comfortable
beds and gave us warm welcome. The following day we meet at a room in an
elementary school to set up the Special Field Trip plan which is one of our
projects. We work together with the residents of Kalakijo start from the
youngsters, teachers, house wives, and children. They are really cooperative.
The Special Field Trip was held at March 12 this year. Unfortunately, I was
unable to join because I came home to Bali for Nyepi. So I can’t tell you
things about the Special Field Trip. But as far as I know it was ran successfully.
Meeting at MM UGM
Meeting at Kalakijo
I
myself learnt a lot of things like speaking Japanese for example. Beside that I
learnt how to interpreting Japanese, understanding the character of Japanese
People, etc. At the end of the project we usually hold a farewell party which
called ‘Sama-Sama Party’. Beside from having dinner we also present
performances both from TOEGAMA and CheRits. At the time we come closer each
other, but in the other hand we have to say farewell because the Japanese
students have to come back to Japan the following day. We are always waiting
for them to come back to Yogyakarta.
Sama-Sama Party
at Adi Sucipto Airport
Chiby~Chiby~
*mbak = Javanese for Older Sister
*san = Japanese for Mr/Miss
もし夢を実現させたいのなら、挑戦を続けなさい。
(If you want to make your dreams come true, keep on trying)
