Asian Pacific Children's Convention and The Bridge Club

The flight was long and tiresome, but almost all the Junior Ambassadors wouldn't close an eyelid, because we were flying half way across the world! We didn't want to miss a second of it. 11 and a half hours later we got off the plane. As soon as I stepped out of the plane I felt a surge of humid heat sweep across me and I knew I was in Japan. We made our way to Marine House where we would be staying for 4 nights. It was very late and I just wanted to fall onto my wooden bunk bed and sleep, oh wonderful sleep. In the morning, we met a lot of new children and exchanged gifts and smiles. Meeting other children from all different countries was AMAZING! I enjoyed meeting the Junior Ambassadors from Bhutan, Philippines, Australia and Japan. One night all of the Junior Ambassadors painted a tremendous banner. Each child drew a ship because ships connect people from all around the world. The APCC volunteers hung the colourful banner on the walls of the camp. It was just an incredible experience.

At the camp there was a very big bath that looked like an indoor swimming pool. Every night we had to bathe naked with around 15 others. Of course the first time the New Zealand girls did this, it was very awkward but the next time we bathed, it was much easier. We actually looked forward to bathing because it was so hot outside during the day and the bath was really refreshing. Just the way people talked and played with each other even though they didn't really know each other was wonderful. No matter what the different countries were doing politically at home, everyone was friends. I just wish things could be like that all the time.

The homestay was very exciting because life in Japan is just soooo different from life in New Zealand; for example, my homestay father (Toshimitsu), went to work at 6.00am in the morning and got home the next day at 1.00am. He slept for 5 hours then went to work again. The language barrier didn't really affect me because fortunately my homestay mother was fluent in English but the rest of the family didn't even understand me when I said, "Hello". I was in a family with Toshimitsu, Yumi, Kento and Misaki. Both the children were younger than me but we still played and had fun together. My homestay mother was very, very helpful. When we went shopping and I wanted to buy something she would work out the prices on her little pocket calculator in the New Zealand currency so I knew how much I was spending. I was very disappointed that we had to leave so soon but I hope to return to Japan as a Peace Ambassador.

Overall the 18^th APCC Children's Convention was just INCREDIBLE! But even incredible doesn't describe the trip. It's just something I will never ever, ever, ever forget!

Elsie Duke

At Japan we stayed there for 2 weeks. The first 4 days we stayed at a Marine house camp where we got to meet the other junior ambassadors from the other countries. Meeting the other ambassadors was enjoyable especially when we gave each other gifts from our own country and got to know them and a little bit of their culture. The other 6 days, we moved to our host families. I was pretty lucky because Leroy just lived opposite from me and Amanda lived 2 houses away so I went over to their homes sometimes. Next to my host family's house there is a park and on the first day of our stay Leroy came over to the park and we played a game of soccer with Leroy's host brother and sister as well as my host sister. We also attended a Japanese primary school for those six days which was a great experience. I had to wake up at 6:30 am and get ready and leave at 7:30 with my host sister because from my house to the school it takes 45 min to walk! there. At the school we learnt to make a fan, because it was so HOT it was even hot when it was raining! we also played games like " Jung ken pong" (paper,rock,scissors). My home stay family were very kind and welcoming so there was no chance of being homesick we went out a lot for a spot of shopping (I enjoyed this a lot) and dinner. Our Kapa Haka performance was done fine by all in front of a big crowd.

The whole trip was a great experience I found the Japanese people very warm and kind hearted and would certainly like to return sometime.

A big thanks to all who made the trip possible for us.

Hefa Tohi

We were taken to the marine camp by some very kind volunteers where we met over 30 countries. We became quite close to Atlanta the junior ambassadors and the chaperones.

There were so many activities to do at the camp sharing a lot of laughs, tears and fun and although we spoke different languages we somehow understood each other.

The day came when we met our host family who greeted us warmly. With 10 host families (who had 3-5 children in each family) all greeting the New Zealander's with a big welcoming sign and paper flowers.

We went to Chikushino School learning what it was like at a school in Japan. Again our day was filled with lots of activities. And the best part was spending time with my host family who took me out to the sights and shopping life in Fukuoka.

In Japan what I loved the most was the experiencing everything. A would recommend this to anyone the best trip ever.

By Hinemaia Hanks

After months of learning Japanese, practicing our Kapahaka performance, making a scrapbook, buying and making heaps of gifts, and of course packing, I woke up at 4:00 in the morning bursting with excitement. It was my first time overseas . . . . . in fact I'd never been on a plane before! I got dressed in my uniform and by 5:30 I was at the airport with the other junior ambassadors. Then it was checking in, breakfast at McDonalds, saying goodbye and boarding the plane.

Eleven hours later happy, Japanese faces greeted as we stepped off the plane into Fukuoka. We had our photo taken and then went on a one-hour bus drive to Marine House Camp. When we arrived there we met our room leader and the rest of our dorm before staying the night.

At the camp we spent most of our time swapping gifts and making new friends with the other 42 different cultures. We also got a chance to do Japanese Etigami (painting). One of the highlights of the camp for me was athletics day. Everyone at the camp was put into teams and we did sport all day to try and win points for our team. I also enjoyed playing with all the friends I made and collecting business cards from other people. Another thing I looked forward to were the meals because I tried heaps of foods that I would never have eaten at home and I will probably not get a chance to have again.

After 5 days of camp it was time to meet our homestays. They welcomed us with a ceremony and we met the Prime Minster of Fukuoka. We were also given a present from our host family and a bouquet of flowers. Then we watched a performance from the Japanese children and after that we had to do our kapahaka performance! I enjoyed making friends with the two girls in the family.

We went to school together the next day and at the school I made origami, learnt calligraphy, played Japanese games and the junior ambassadors did our kapahaka performance again. We also had to say a speech in front of the school and my host mother came to watch and take photos of me! I really enjoyed visiting a Japanese school because everyone was really friendly. Even though I couldn't understand their language I felt that I still understood their feelings and that's something I won't forget.

My best memories with my host family were visiting Fukuoka tower, going to Dazaihu, shopping with them and playing Japanese games with them like baba-nuki (a card game). While I was staying with them I felt really at home and they were really caring and friendly to me. It was an amazing experience to live in a Japanese home and be a part of a family's everyday activities. It was a privilege to experience their culture in this way.

The saddest part was saying goodbye at the airport and me and my host family cried. My experiences in Japan have made me think differently about other cultures and I will never forget what I have learnt from this trip. I hope to go to Japan again in the future.

Rachael Olds

On Friday 14^th July, the APCC Junior Ambassadors left Auckland International Airport for a 10½ hour trip to Japan. I had never been on a plane before and had never left the North Island ~ wow, what an adventure ahead!

We landed in Tokyo for a few hours. We didn't get to see too much of Tokyo as we stayed inside the terminal, but it was really exciting knowing we were in Japan and nervous because we were so far from home and going to meet lots of new and different people.

We waited for our next flight to Fukuoka, which was a smaller plane ~ a Japanese domestic plane, we were really tired by now.

When we got to Fukuoka we were driven on an air conditioned bus to the 'WE ARE THE BRIDGE' camp.

Fukuoka was very big and a lot different from Auckland. There were heaps of glowing billboards all over the place ~ wow. They had strange square cars and it was HOT! When we got to camp, I met lots of different people from different countries like Australia, Russia, Philippines, Fiji, China, USA and Papua New Guinea ~ most of them spoke English.

I made lots of new friends at the camp, and gave all of my gifts away and it was really fun. We stayed at the camp for three days. On the last night we had a big concert. At the concert we sung, danced, and watched the Japanese perform, we also drank loads of water.

The next day, we met up with our host families. At first I was nervous, but during the time I was with my host family, I felt like I was actually at home.

The host families are really nice and wanted to take me anywhere I wanted to go, but I knew that I shouldn't take advantage of this special gift as I was just happy being with them in Fukuoka.

However, I did get to Space World, ate heaps of nice food, went to play at the local park and went shopping at You Me Town (a mall) which had lots of shops and where I bought my Air Force One shoes.

My hosts home was small but very comfortable. They were really, really nice people and treated me like I was one of their own children. The mum was neat and made a lot of her own gifts as she was a kindergarten teacher. My hosts' youngest brother was loud and annoying because he was really excited I was there. My host, Hideto was really calm and mature. My host father could speak very good English which made it a lot easier for me. They were lovely people and I was so lucky to have them as my host family.

Having thoroughly enjoyed my stay, it was with sadness that on Tuesday 25^th July, I left Japan to return to Auckland. Another domestic flight from Fukuoka to Osaka and then on to an Air New Zealand plane back home.

We arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday 26^th of July at 8.00am and it was COLD and I was really tired.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself and had a great time in Japan and hope to go back as a Peace Ambassador one day.

Kauri Oxborough

When my teacher pulled me and my friends out of class last year, I thought we were in trouble, but it may have been the best thing she ever did for me. She had taken us out of class to tell us about something she found on the Auckland city website, the applications for APCC. At first we thought we would all try out, but only 3 people got through. In the end only one of us was chosen. Me. Over the next few months I attended fortnightly orientation meetings to prep us for Japan. Then, as though no time had past since the first meeting, we found ourselves on a plane ready to arrive in Fukuoka. First off we stayed at a camp with children from all over the world for 3 and a half days Before being whisked away to our host families for the rest of our time in Japan. My fondest memory is of my goodbye party on my last night in Japan. Me and my host families all dressed up in costumes, ate pizza, sang and played games. It was amazing to see people from all races interacting and having fun together even though their languages may be different and their countries miles apart.

Thank you to Amanda & Maree and every one involved for making it possible.

By Leroy Beckett

I began my journey to the Asia Pacific Childrens Convention in Fukuoka, Japan at Auckland International Airport at 5.30am. When we eventually got to Fukuoka it was dark so it didn't look very different from any other city. We were greeted by APCC volunteers wearing 'we are the BRIDGE" t-shirts. Then we were taken by bus to the Marine House camp. The city looked a lot bigger when driving through it. We eventually got to the camp but we were too tired to notice very much.

The next morning we explored the camp and then we played soccer against the Australians. At the camp we mingled with children from all around the Pacific and Asia including the USA and Sri Lanka. I learned a lot about Papua New Guinea, Fiji and many other countries.

After 3 days at the camp we went to our host family. Most of the houses looked different, pointed roofs and made of wood but some of the modern ones looked a bit similar to some of the houses in New Zealand. The family were very friendly.

The next day I went to my host's school, the school is quite different because they have one big building with each year group on a different floor. They also have lunch provided by the school. I went to school for three days.

With my host family I saw a lot of Japanese customs such as going to temples which is quite strange because you throw a coin into a barrel and then clap twice and bend to pray. I also went to a beach on an island; beaches aren't very common in Fukuoka because it is a bit more inland. The beach was nice but it was raining at the time.

The food in Japan is very different and some of it very strange such as squid and eel but I had a great time in Japan.

This was a once in a lifetime trip and a memorable trip.

Magnus Whyte

The day before we took off to Fukuoka I started to get really nervous about the flight. I realised what a long way we were going to travel. We were busy finding a bank that would change our NZ$ into Japanese money and getting everything packed as we had a really early start to get to the airport.

Yes, the flight took ages but I watched some good movies!

That first day was really long because when we arrived in Fukuoka we took an hour long bus trip to the camp. I was really tired as it was now about 1.00am in New Zealand.

I woke up the next morning and was blown away by the boiling hot weather. I met my cabin members – Magnus was with me from NZ and the others were from Papua New Guinea.

The next few days at the camp were absolutely amazing. Definitely the funnest part of the trip. On some of the days we played soccer with tons of people from all over the world. The baths were as bad as we had been warned although I did get used to it.

On the last night we had this great concert outside and then we all joined hands in a huge circle and sang "We are the Bridge" – it was awesome.

It was sad to leave the camp but I was anxious to meet my host family. There was a big celebration at the camp when we were all introduced to each other.

My family was very western and we ate chips every day. For breakfast there was a huge meal prepared with every cereal that you could want.

For the next three days we went to our host's school and we were very popular. We also put on our Kapa Haka show. I didn't think that I did a good job but everyone else said that it went really well and that we were very noisy and scary.

We spent 6 days with our host families while they were on summer vacation. My family took me to many places including a temple, shopping and Fukuoka's biggest theme park, Space World. It definitely lived up to it's reputation.

All too soon we were at the airport saying goodbye and then we were back in NZ. Thank you APCC and everyone who helped to make this trip possible. I'll have memories for the rest of my life.

Tom Swayne

Maree McInerney

The 18^th APCC was attended by 344 junior ambassadors from over 50 countries in Asia and the Pacific. There were also 48 chaperones and approximately 20 Peace Ambassadors. Every year more than 400 families and 500 volunteers participate in the APCC in Fukuoka.

The convention started out at Marine Camp which was a youth hostel by the sea. We had to adjust to the very warm and humid weather, especially going from a cold winter in Auckland. It was mid-summer in Japan with temperatures soaring to over 30˚ Celsius every day. We were accommodated in rooms with delegates from other countries. The junior ambassadors had roommates who were from Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, Fiji, Atlanta and Sri Lanka. Immediately a lot of swapping of contact details and making new friends ensued. Our children learnt that communication with children who do not speak English is not as difficult as it may first seem. With some patience and tolerance, understanding is achievable. During the day, the children played in the gymnasium, which has been converted to "Play Hall" and mingled with other children. There were many organised activities, including a sports day, post-card making with special rice paper and calligraphy brushes. On the third day at camp, there was a special visit from the Ambassadors from different countries who are working in Japan. They had been invited to come see the real fruits of labour at APCC, what children from their countries were doing, and how they were enjoying being in Japan meeting children from all over Asia-Pacific. The food at Marine Camp was basic but everyone from NZ managed to get by without any problem. The communal baths were also a highlight (or lowlight) at Marine camp.

After four exciting days at Marine Camp, we moved on to Chikushino City which was where our home-stay experience was about to begin. We were greeted so warmly by the host families at a community centre, and treated to a wonderful meal. For the next three days, we attended Chikushino Elementary School. It rained almost everyday but we all walked to school on a walking school bus. At the school there were many activities planned for the children such as fan-making; calligraphy; making cards with pressed flowers; origami and traditional Japanese games such a kendama. On our last day at school, which was also the last day of the school term, we gave farewell speeches to the entire school at assembly.

The rest of the time at home-stay was spent with our home-stay families, sometimes meeting up with one or two others from the NZ delegation for outings. Places the children and chaperones visited ranged from shopping malls; Shinto shrines; a miso factory; the theme park "Space World"; a paper-making cottage and more communal baths;. The ¥100 store (equivalent to our $2 shop but much bigger), without competition, took the "favourite store" award for us all. We also did different activities such as traditional drumming; singing and dressing in kimonos; eating a whole plethora of wonderful food – sometimes not so much to our liking, for example, the fermented beans (nutto) and communicating in a range of manners - with electronic dictionaries and our superb acting skills.

Amanda, Maree and Jonathan had to attend a symposium where we spoke about the future plans for APCC and also discussed education systems in different countries and cultures. We were given presentations on primary school systems in Bhutan, India, Indonesia and Japan. A key on-going project of APCC is the Bridge Club where children who have attended the APCC become members. The purpose of the Bridge Club is for youth to become involved in their local communities and also to build on the potential of future leaders. All former APCC participants can take concrete actions towards peace and coexistence.

The convention ended on one sunny day in Fukuoka city where a big festival was held, with cultural performances from all over the world and host-families and citizens of Fukuoka attending this free public event. Our children performed a 5-minute kapahaka performance and did New Zealand and Auckland City proud.

We all felt that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we have been so fortunate to be involved in. Community Development Division will be running APCC again next year and we'll be advertising it in Catalyst Newsletter, as well as in Auckland City schools, so watch this space.

Amanda Aye and Maree McInerney