Meri Sasaki
If it’s Wednesday at the National Center for Child Health and Development (NCCHD), then it must be Shine On! Book Club day! A time when the children beam with happy smiles. Our Stellar Volunteer for April, Meri Sasaki, was the first long-term volunteer to commit to weekly visits for Book Club. Mayumi Yamada, Shine On! Counseling and Support Program Assistant, works closely with volunteers like Meri. “Meri was very talented with the kids,” Mayumi said, “She was very good at arranging the way to play with each child; not only with girls but also boys. And she was also good at playing with babies as well as older children.”
Meri is now in post-graduate studies at Sophia University where she is majoring in psychology. Her goal is to become a clinical psychologist. She is also is interested in and has studied psycho-oncology. Meri first got involved with the Tyler Foundation when “The professor of a study group I participated in introduced me to the Tyler Foundation. I volunteered for about a year with the children at NCCHD.” In talking about her experience at NCCHD with the children Meri said, “It was not a professional interaction but I was happy when I knew that the kids or parents had a great time with me. I was so glad that not only did the children always wait for me, but also I had a lot of chances to talk to their mothers and hear stories about when they gave birth or times with their kids and so on.”
How many of us have personally benefitted through our own volunteer experiences in ways that are intangible, yet meaningful? Meri expressed that she “…had a lot of opportunities so that I was actually empowered by the kids through interaction with them having fun.” Volunteering as a way to help others is a laudable goal, but often in the process we are touched as well. Meri sends a message to others to support and be involved with the Tyler Foundation, “The Tyler Foundation provides activities that empower kids who even have a cancer and motivate kids' creativity, freedom and endlessness. Please join the Tyler Foundation and feel it with children!”
Shine On! Book Club was sad when Meri had to leave her volunteer role to apply herself to studying, but Mayumi says “I hope she will be involved in our activities in some way in the future.” The Tyler Foundation agrees and knows that our Stellar Volunteer, Meri Sasaki will be spreading smiles and warmth wherever she is! In the meantime, Meri, do what you enjoy! Take a jog, do some yoga, or just meander through a park on a nice sunny day!