Vocational Training

Sub-contract jobs received in the Assembling and Data Processing Sections are used for on the job training. The fulfillment of production requirements and social participation of each member is also encouraged. Sawayaka Center serves the growing number of elderly persons with physically disabilities and persons with severe physical disabilities.

	Assembling Section 　Sub-contract work from companies such as assembling circuit boards and printer ribbons are divided according to the level of difficulty. Clients are assigned according to their abilities and their training goals. This section focuses on vocational skills training as well as the development of social skills.
	Data Processing Section 　The Word Processing and Desk Top Publishing Section receives various work such as the preparation of newsletters, bulletins, etc. The Computer Programming Section handles system development jobs such as the development of customer information, volunteer information, etc. This section not only emphasizes computer skills training, but also the development of personal and social skills of each individual through group work activities.
	Sawayaka Center 　Sawayaka Center encourages creativity and productivity through work like handicrafts and gardening.The aim is to learn to shift the focus of their lifestyle to that of a more leisurely, healthy but yet a fulfilling lifestyle.

Activities of Daily Living ADL Training

ADL develops the skills needed for daily living activities such as shopping, cooking, using public facilities like banks, the post office and public transportation. Clients also develop their social skills by taking on responsibilities in the management of the dormitory as well as through active participation in the planning of field trips and recreational activities such as during the New Year season and others. The organization of clients encourages the cooperation of each person in order to maintain a healthy, harmonious, and enjoyable dormitory life with the support of the staff.

Improving open quality of life is the important goal of Agape. Staff members are there to help clients discover and develop their own potential through extra activities such as sports and hobbies.

THE AGAPE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

1.Introduction

　To commemorate the United Nations Year of the Disabled,Japan Church World Services,Inc. has started an exchange program with other Asian countries,inviting personnel engaged in vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.The first exchange program took place from April 1 to August 31,1980,with four exchangees from the Philippines, Korea and Hong Kong.The exchange program has taken place annually since 1980,and has received earnest participants, thoroughly committed to working with people with disabilities in their respective countries.
　Every year Japan Church World Services,Inc.invites 2-4 persons from various Asian countries.The program takes place from June 1 to October 31 at Agape Center, one of the institutions of Japan Church World Services,Inc.,located in Zama,a city 40 kilometers southwest of Tokyo.

　

2.Purpose of this Program

　The purpose of the Agape Exchange Program is to share our 30 plus years of experience in vocational rehabilitation for the disabled with our friends in other Asian countries.At the same time,we wish to learn from others' experiences so that together we can better provide vocational rehabilitation for persons with disabilities. For this purpose,we would like to receive directors or potential directors of institutions who have rich experience in vocational rehabilitation work in their own countries.

　In order for the exchangees to reap the benefits of this cross fertilization, we not only emphasize the mutual exchange of philosophies of vocational rehabilitation work for the disabled,but also put much emphasis on the involvement of the exchangees in Agape's ongoing program. For this purpose,the exchangees are housed by Agape,work part-time with regular staff members in our factory and participate in social welfare activities and institutional administrative work.
　During the 5-month program, Agape provides opportunities for the exchangees to study the Japanese social services program as a whole,to visit other social services institutions,and to participate in conferences.