Aoshima One World FestivalNovember 2, 2008
by: Dell Villareal
AOSHIMA, MIYAZAKI CITY- The IFMGP , International Families Movement for Global Peace, participated on this day to AOWF charity event. The goal of the Aoshima One World Festival is to bring many different people together in Aoshima to share in stimulating experiences from different cultures and to realize that it is together that we create and enjoy culture. Each of us has her own role to play in the making and sharing of this One World!
The event has started at 10:30 am at Kodomo no kuni as the first part of the Festival. There was a selection of space encourages participants to remember the simple joy of childhood, a time when we are capable of being without prejudice, open-minded and free. Here participants can take part in many different experiences from around the world. We joined particularly at World Food Village, and offer a Filipino Cuisine or the Filipino favorites. We really experience here the beauty of participating to other group. It was lot of fun. I can't imagine the number of people who went there and witness the event. The IFMGP got his first experience here. We would like to Thanks our best partner M. Theresa Kodama for her untiring support and understanding to the goal of the movement. She is actually innocent about the purpose why we have to participate. But later we explain to her slowly that we are going to participate to the event as our fundraising drive to get funds to finance our plan of sending representative to Tokyo main event on November 12th to 15th.
Last August 26, 2008, we have had our emergency meeting of IFMGP in the church to discuss our planning to have even one representative to go to Tokyo. It was Connie that we have chosen but the main trouble is how to finance her going there, staying there and going back here. We finally end up of having a contribution of 5000 yen each family. If in case we can't make it until October 30, 2008 we might be using the OMC card of Connie to loan in the bank. And this money would be payable by each member for 1000 yen monthly. This money shall be use to buy food materials to be sold out in the festival. It was then approved by all members present during the meeting.
A day before the 30th of October, the money that we are expecting from Tokyo as they will reimburse the half payment of Mr. Kobayashi's plane ticket has been deposited to Lalaine's account. The amount is 15,000 yen. This money is not the payment as to what they promise to give us for the rental fee of our venue. Please take note of this matter. We didn't receive any payment for venue rental fee.
It was intentionaly not being announce to everyone that we got already this amount so that we can still collect the contribution from every family. Why we did it like that is because we need a bigger budget for buying food materials. So when we can prepare more foods the more profit we could gain. But unfortunately, no additional amount gets in the bank account of lalaine. I myself gave my part 6,000 yen and Lalaine gave her part of 4,000 yen. The total budget that we able to accumulate was only 25,000 yen.
The total gross income of our sales was 44,416 yen. We got a little gain because our expenses fall to 22,484 yen. On these expenses we don't yet deducted the suppose payment for gas stove of Theresa which was used all through the night. Last November 11, 2008, Lalaine transfered an amount of 44,000 yen to the bank account of Connie. Then Connie flew to Tokyo on the 12th early morning of that day. Let us wish her a great success!!! We have to pray that may she can able to sneak around and get the best and safe place during the meeting and fairly good accommodation on her stay. Then may she can safely get back to us here in Miyazaki.
Connie San, it is our hope that as you get back here after you got a good rest and feel like to share with us what has been the result of your trip to Tokyo you can give me a signal then I can inform everyone to be ready for your coming to Miyazaki. I think this will the beginning of our launching of having a Service for International Families for Miyazaki.
And lastly about the festival, Aoshima Shrine Finale 15:30-16:30 It was the culmination of a day of enjoyment. A day of sharing and enjoyment. We have looked through our differences and join together in a spirit and symbol of oneness by creating a human chain around the holy island of Aoshima. Encircling the island, we had stand alone for one minute. We listened to the waves, the wind, and the ending of a day. We touched our inner peace, making the traditional Japanese prayer gesture, gasshou. Then with peace we turn to our neighbors and greet them recognizing that in our hearts we are the same, we all wish for peace and happiness. Finally, we hold hands and become one. One circle, perpetual in its form. A circle of love and prayer of thanks for the oneness of the world. A demonstration of peace, a symbol of what can be done when we look beyond difference and see the power of unity. The historic moment has been captured by an aerial photograph, hoped that all may be inspired by Miyazaki’s truly international cooperation.
Thanks to all of you!!!
