Summer break is one of the most favorite times of the year for kids. Volunteers from the Nissan Yacht Club have been supporting the summer event called “Sailing Boat Event” to provide children from schools for the blind with an opportunity to enjoy sailing and swimming during the summer holiday. This time, we’ll introduce a volunteer report from employees(Hiroyuki Saito and Emi Kawasumi) who have been supporting this event using Nissan financial support program for volunteer activities* * NISSAN initiated this program in 1996 to provide financial support for employees' involvement in volunteer activities. In addition to making gifts matching employees' charitable donations, NISSAN also provides funds for supporting volunteer activities or purchasing necessary supplies when money for such expenses is lacking. In this way, NISSAN supports and encourages employees to participate voluntarily in community activities and to make charitable contributions. |
| Report from volunteer from Nissan |
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History of Sailing Boat Event
The sailing boat event is organized in order to provide students from schools for the blind and their families with an opportunity to enjoy sailing during the summer holiday. The event was launched some 18 years ago by parents of students from the Tsukuba University School for the Blind and Chiba School for the Blind interested in boat sailing who worked together with volunteers from the Japan Blind Sailing Association (JBSA). Volunteers from the Nissan Yacht Club have participated in the event every year since July 1994. The sailing boat event was held in July 26 this year at Sajima Marina (Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture), and 17 people from schools and 14 volunteers participated the event.
The Sailing Boat Event in FY2006
July 26 was a beautiful summer day, blessed with warm weather and clear skies despite the fact that the rainy season was not over yet. The light breeze and calm waves made it a perfect day for first-time yachtsmen.
Outward trip
At 11:00, the participants boarded four yachts and left the Sajima Marina accompanied by two motor boats.
On the way to Koajiro Bay, the destination point of the trip, the participants enjoyed sailing and took commemorative photos on board the yachts. Unfortunately the wind was too weak, and midway to Koajiro the engines had to be switched on.
The gentle rocking of the yachts and the soft breeze on their faces made the children shout with joy.
Lunch and swimming in the sea
The yachts entered Koajiro Bay and anchored off the beach, where the participants enjoyed a refreshing swim.
The children, together with their friends and families, played in the sea. They swam from one boat to another holding onto ropes stretched between the boats and floating on the sea surface, or wore life jackets and had a nap rocked by the waves.
Afterwards, the participants had lunch on board of the yachts and set off on their return to Sajima Marina.
Return trip
In the afternoon, a gentle but steady wind from the south filled the sails of the yachts and bore them swiftly across the sea, making for enjoyable sailing. This summer day will surely remain an unforgettable experience for the children.
Children’s impressions (Excerpt)
- I enjoyed the trip a lot, not just because we got on board a yacht and swam in the sea, but also because the lunch we ate out at sea was more delicious than usual. I want to participate in the trip again.
- It was fun to get off the yacht and swim in the sea with my friends. There were places where the water was warm, and some places where it was cold.
- I was really disappointed when the trip got cancelled last year (note: in FY2005 the even was cancelled because of an approaching typhoon), and that is why I enjoyed it twice that much this year. I am so happy I could board the yacht.
- I swam holding to the ropes. Now I know that there are currents in the sea. I want to participate in the event again next year.
