８月９日の日誌

　朝目覚めると、窓の外では暴風が吹き荒れていました。初めて経験する沖縄の台風は、僕の出身地の千葉のそれとは比べ物にならない強さです。沖縄の友達に聞くと、「まだ、それほどじゃない」とのこと。同じ日本であっても、こんなに気候が違えば文化が違うのは当然のことであると改めて感じました。
　午前中には、沖縄大学の桜井教授の水問題についての講義を受けました。中でも「適切な技術」が大切だという話は印象的でした。最新鋭の淡水化技術であっても、その場所の風土、経済状態などに適応していなければ意味がない。単純に技術とお金だけあれば解決するような問題ではないと、改めて感じました。その場所の状況に合わせ、一つ一つ地道に解決していくべきで、決して近道など無いのだと思います。
　中国では今、長江の水を黄河へ引く大プロジェクトが進行中だといいます。僕にはその事業の是非はわかりません。そこには水不足で苦しんでいる人がいるのだから。しかし、大規模な施設や最新鋭の技術が全てを解決するというのは幻想であるとも、僕らは覚えておく必要があるのではないかと思います。
　また、日本のGNPに等しい額の食料が毎年捨てられているというのも、衝撃的でした。僕たち日本人の捨てた食料のために、どれだけの貴重な地下水が消費されたのだろうかと思います。食べ物の無駄を少なくする、「もったいない」の心も、水問題の解決に役立ちます。
　プログラムに参加して４日。英語でのコミュニケーションに慣れてきました。それでもやはり、自分の英語力が国際標準に比べ、いかに低いかを思い知らされます。英語力の向上と水問題についての深い理解を目指して頑張っていこうと思います。

　私の名前は鯖戸玲帆（さばと れお）で、今高校１年です。
　「アジア青年の家」に参加して、初めはドキドキがいっぱいで、友達ができるのか、英語でちゃんと会話できるのか、３週間本当に楽しく生活できるのか、正直すごく不安でした。
　しかし、始まって５日目、緊張の糸がほぐれ、リラックスして毎日を過ごすことができるようになり、また、たくさんの人と話をして、いろんな国の人と友達になることができました。今日は台風で、“漫湖水鳥・湿地センター”でのアクティビティ－が中止になりましたが、沖縄大学の桜井先生の“水環境問題”についての講義や青年リーダーさんによる“おきなわ水環境宣言”で、非常に興味深いお話を聞くことができました。
　今日で青年リーダーとお別れするのはとても寂しいけど、このとても楽しいメンバーと共に、精一杯頑張っていきたいと思います

  We couldn't go anywhere today because of the typhoon. We heard the lecture of Mr. Sakurai and the presentation by Youth Leaders. Youth Leaders made great presentation and they had a lot of ideas to solve water problems. They came to this program last year as we are now. I suppose some of them were like us that have lots of difficulties, but they don't seem they had difficulties a year ago now. They seem they can do everything very first. They gave us lots of advices to help us address our difficulties. They are all good "seniors". I want to be like them until this program finishes. They'll go back their home tomorrow. I'm sure I'll miss them. But I will do my best to be like them, referring to their advices! I want to thank them all for coming to this program this year. I'm going to enjoy the last time to be with them from now on, and I hope that I will give a good speech in the opening ceremony tomorrow!

  The day started out early and we had a lecture by Mr. Kunitoshi Sakurai. Even though I usually get sleepy during lectures, I was able to stay awake throughout. The lecture was very interesting and I learnt about the water situation in the world and in Okinawa and hence was a valuable experience. I have always liked Japanese food and after coming to Okinawa, I was able to taste the real Japanese food like Natto.
  I was looking forward to going to the Manko Water and Wetland Centre. However, there was a typhoon and we were forced to stay back in Itoman Youth House. I am a little disappointed but I can spend more time meeting new friends and preparing for my cultural presentation.
  Youth leaders are leaving tomorrow and we had a farewell party today. Everyone is sad and we hope to see them again.

   We awoke to the disruptive sound of rolling rain from the humid Okinawan sky. Outside of the Itoman Youth House walls, the winds blew strongly. Today, an intense typhoon struck me island of Okinawa. The typhoon proved to be an object of fascination for many of the participants, as a large majority of them had not experiences such environmental condition. The resulting voices of awe were clearly heard within the walls of the Itoman Youth House.
  As a result of the typhoon, we were not able to attend the purposed wetland's visits due to strong winds disabling any ocean navigation. This proved to be largely disappointing for me and my fellow participants, though the excitement changes atmosphere helped soften the blow.
  Besides, we were able to catch up on cultural presentations, diary entries and numerous tasks due to the free time made available!
  My group , group4, prior to today did not have any tutors. However, we met 2 new individuals. This was an exciting moment for our group! We enjoyed morning the acquaintance of tutors, His (from China), and tutor Naif (from Brunei).
  The Youth Leaders hosted farewell events, as they would no longer be with us after today. It was fascinating listening to their declaration formed last year. Their proposed declaration covered many issues such as sanitation, lack of drinking water, etc. They provided us with a lot of advice to help guide us in the program, a sort of passing of the metaphorical flame.
  It proved to be a sad occasion, as tears formed from the Youth Leaders. Many photos were captured in order to preserve their memory!