Annual Report for 2017-2018
STEP & YEEP
Rita Hettiararachchi, IPASD-STEP & YEEP
1. Specific Goals during my term/membership statistics and program goals
As and when applications are received for either STEP or YEEP, to look for host families since the response from a few RDs/RSDs revealed that it was not possible to give names of Host families early because none was sure of their future circumstances.
STEP continues to grow and gained a growing interest among youth from many regions but this year, no YEEP applications were received.
2. Challenges include:
- Reminded to use RSDs’ job descriptions as guidelines.
- Emphasized on the importance of constant communication and receiving regular reports of their progress.
3. Activities undertaken during this reporting period
25. October 2017-
(i) STEP application received from Tokyo Hachioji club to send Toshiki Sugo to Taiwan. It was immediately approved by me as ASD and ISD for STEP & YEEP, giving the applicant Int. Reg. number – ST01-17/18. Forwarded to Taiwan RD through Taiwan Regional Office.
Immediate action was taken by the Regional office. A meeting was convened by Taiwan RD Yun-Chang Liao.
08 November 2017-
Hosts were found in Taiwan for STEP Sugo. RSD Y’s Youth Mr. Tai will cooperate with the YMC of Kaohsiung - The Port to arrange his visit in due course.
The good news is, Tokyo Hachioji and Kaohsiung are in IBC relationship.
Sugo Toshiki began his STEP in South District of Taiwan on April 1st and had a great time with Y’s Men and YMCA in Taiwan.
Taiwan Y’smen had the opportunity of meeting him during their regional sessions of Leadership Training at Kaohsiung.
Taiwan Regional Office reported that they had arranged for him to visit North and Center District of Taiwan.
Toshiki has completed and interesting programme and decided to stay in Taiwan until July to learn Chinese in a local university.
(2) STEP application from Koshi Nakamura, whose parents are from Miyazaki Y’s men’s Club of Japan West region was received on march 17. His international reg. number is ST02-17/18. I am happy that after a few email communication, he has received placement in Canada. The correspondence between Koshi’s family and host parents have begun. Placement is expected in August 2018.
4. Challenges:
To encourage IBC to get involved in the exchange programme just as Tokyo Hachioji and Kaohsiung are in IBC relationship who assist each other in hosting their STEP student.
5. Additional Comments
Special thanks to all those who assisted me in getting host families.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE HOST FAMILES AND CLUBS for their wonderful assistance, the untiring efforts and commitment offered to the STEP students to experience this remarkable programme.