Journal Entry from our Texas Intern
Posted on October 16, 2009
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“I’ am currently studying international relationships with emphasis on the far east at the University of North Texas, earlier this year I decided to combine my academic pursuits with hands on experience by working as an intern for the Kozmoz International organization.
From July 13th to August 14th I interned in Kyoto with Kozmoz to learn first hand how to be an effective English instructor at Family English Schools. Everyday I had the opportunity to interact and make friends with people from a culture different than my own. I felt a great since of self-worth knowing that the English Schools provide the necessary funding to support people in need of food, legal and medical assistance in the Kansai region.
My experience was nothing short of amazing, living and working in another country has provided me with courage and confidence to decide if working in Japan is right for me. If anyone reading this has ever considered working or volunteering in Japan but has lacked the confidence to believe they could be successful, I recommend this program to you. You will walk away with a wonderful and unique experience and have a better understanding of yourself and where you want to be in the future.”
– Avery Williamson (Austin, Texas)
Poverty relief activities in Osaka
Posted on March 25, 2009
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Enjoying a Kozmoz Food Bank Meal
On March 22 and 23rd Kozmoz was spreading cheer and hope to the needy in Osaka. Over 500 meals were served as many recipients also received employment, legal, and medical assistance from the many professionals that volunteered their time.
Poverty comes in many forms in Japan. Not only have the number of recipients increased dramatically over the last year, there is a completely new demographic coming to receive assistance. Among the recipients were more women and many suit clad individuals that had recently lost both their job and company sponsored housing.
A special thanks to all the Family English Schools volunteers that helped prepare and serve the meals!
New Kozmoz Center in Kyoto
Posted on December 30, 2008
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Kozmoz Japan Headquarters
Thru the hard work of all the staff and volunteers we have moved our Japan headquarters to Fushimi ward in south Kyoto. Centered in the most famous sake brewing district in Japan, it is rich in history surrounded by quiet wonderful suburban scenery.
The new center has 4 floors, the bottom of which will be a community coffee shop and of course the kitchen will be providing meals for the homeless, the second floor is for our English school which provides finances for social activities, the 3rd floor is for events and offices will be on the 4th floor. Kozmoz International is committed to Japan and will endeavor to provide more enhanced services to less fortunate there.
In all of the celebration, lets not forget that this is just one step on the continuing course of providing a safety net and support for the ever expanding share of people that are falling thru the cracks of society. We still need volunteers to teach English, help with office work, drivers for picking up and delivering donations, volunteers to help make meals, volunteers to pass out flyers and help canvass preparing for events etc. Can we make a difference? Obama said it, YES WE CAN!
Christmas is for everybody
Posted on December 22, 2008
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Joey Wyatt sharing Christmas
Christmas is special to me. The world is full of people that think it is just another day but it does not have to be. For those of us that think it is special, it can be even more special to share it with someone that has never had ‘Christmas’ before. This year we made a point to search out less knows places where people are suffering. One of those places is Fuse Station in the east part of Osaka. Far from the major parks that are most associated with homeless and poverty that receive attention often, the impoverished of Fuse go essentially unnoticed. This year our staff brought Christmas to approximately 50 homeless men and some families from the area on Dec. 21st. Each person received christmas presents of warm clothes and a special treat as well as a roast chicken Christmas dinner. Tears were shared by recipients and staff alike at the surprise Christmas dinner. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone had a hot Christmas meal and the feeling that someone cared. Lets work on that.
Super Nutritionist!
Posted on December 5, 2008
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Making Memorys
We deliver a variety of donated and purchased products to institutions and support agencies. Recently, we received quite a few turkeys through Second Harvest Japan. Whole turkeys are not the most common thing for Japanese to cook or eat and most of the turkeys were cut up and used for soups and other dishes. But our super nutritionist at Momoyama Gakuen in Kyoto wanted to do something special with them. She decided to have some birthday parties and cooked them whole and even stuffed them like I do for thanksgiving. We truly appreciate the nutritionists that work hard to be creative and flexible in using the various and often unusual foodstuffs that are donated. Helping people is not just about providing food, but emotional support and making special memories as well. And just before Christmas…Good work nutruitionist Nakazawa!
Helping the less fortunate in Osaka
Posted on November 20, 2008
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Nisa making Super Komoz Bentos
We were back making sure those falling through the cracks in Osaka were taken care of on Nov. 16th. We teamed up with local Doctors, Nurses, Dentists and Legal professionals to provide no cost service to the low income community. With aprox. 16 percent poverty and being among the most expensive places to live on the planet makes for no shortage of those lacking proper shelter and nutrition let alone being able to meet their health and legal needs. All those that came for assistance received a super kozmoz bento. Thanks to all that participated.
Free Health and Legal Service in Kyoto
Posted on August 16, 2008
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Once again this year, Kozmoz will be working with many local groups to provide a day of Free Health Checks and Legal advice to impoverished families and individuals. Suprising, Kyoto and neigboring Shiga prefecture is an area of great need. There are a tremendous number of second generation Japanese that return to these areas from abroad and Shiga has the highest number on births to a couple with at least one non-japanese parent in the nation. Often these individuals struggle with language and other difficulties that make raising a family a challenge.
Several Doctors, Nurses, Health care professionals as well as Lawyers and Legal professionals will be joining to offer their services at no cost for the day. Kozmoz thanks all the participating groups and of course our volunteers that will be providing a meal to each recepient. Poverty is not systemic, it something that can be eradicated in our lifetimes. Thomas Malthus and many after predicted that our society would destroy itself from a lack of resources many times over the last 200 years. Yet the march of technology has not only staved off that catastrophe, a growing awareness of social responsibility and technological advancements has prospered the world far beyond what Malthus envisioned. People are the source of those ideas and advancements, and providing for our children without predjudice is the best investment we can make for our future.
New English Classroom in Tanbabashi
Posted on April 1, 2008
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Kozmoz Kyoto opened a new Family English Schools classrooom next to Tanbabashi Station on the Keihan and Kintetsu lines in South Kyoto. Courses will be offered for kids, business, TOEIC, and afternoon tea classes.
Family English Schools classrooms are important? for Kozmoz Japan as Kozmoz is 100% self funded thru the tuition from these schools as well as overseas programs. In addition, a large number of students volunteer regularly and help out with our many events in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nagoya.
Kozmoz plans to open another clasroom at the end of 2008 to help us fund more social activities for 2009. We are currently recruting teachers for these classrooms so if you are interested in coming to Japan contact us to find out how you can participate and receive free board and room for 3 months in beautiful Kyoto. Of course we are always looking for volunteers that already live in the Kansai area so if you do, drop us a line and find out how you can help.
Health Care For Osaka Homeless
Posted on October 27, 2007
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Had a busy weekend making bentos n helping provide health care for underpriveliged in Osaka. Once again this year we teamed up with several groups from Kansai to provide free health and dental checks for anyone who came. approximately 200 people were provided with nutritious meals prepared by our staff after their checks.
Even in this affluent society, over 15% are below the poverty level and with the highest living costs in the world, one or two months without a paycheck can leave someone out in the cold. With needing, first/last months rent, security deposit, and gift money from 1000 dollars US to as much as 10,000 dollars just to be allowed to rent a house, it is extremely tough to enter back into the mainstream once out. >>contact
Kyoto Homeless Get Meals and Health Check
Posted on September 26, 2007
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Homeless and families in difficult financial situations were able to take advantage of free health and dental checks, legal consultations and receive nutritions meals free of charge at the Campus Plaza next to Kyoto JR station on Saturday. An annual event sponsored by several local groups, our staff prepared and distributed box lunches to recepients. Thanks to all that participated. >>contact
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