OASIS (Open Assist & Support In Sendai) is a volunteer group in Sendai that supports foreign residents who feel unsure communicating in Japanese. It began in 1991 as the "Sendai I.V. Network Consultation Support Group" and, after being renamed in 2007 and again in 2014, continues today under its current name.
Its work has two main parts. One is a dispatch service in which volunteer interpreters accompany people to places such as kindergartens, ward offices and driver's license centers. The other is a consultation service for everyday concerns and help with filling out documents. Both are free of charge, and volunteers speaking English, Korean, Chinese and Spanish are available.
The services are for individuals, and dispatch is limited to institutions in the Sendai area. The website also explains clearly that the volunteers are not professional interpreters. Consultation takes place inside the Sendai Multicultural Center, and volunteers respond on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Key points
- Volunteer support for foreign residents in Sendai, continuing since 1991
- Free accompanying interpretation and consultation for everyday situations such as schools, public offices and license centers
- A step-by-step guide explains how to use the service and what to keep in mind
Why this organization's work stands out
Language barriers can be a heavy burden in basic parts of life, from administrative procedures to a child's school. Volunteers who stand beside people in these moments make an important contribution to multicultural community building.
More than 30 years of activity, including recognition from the prefecture and the city, shows how the group has become established in its community. It is a helpful example of international cooperation that can be practiced close to home.
Editor's comment
International cooperation often brings to mind work overseas, but supporting people who have come from abroad in our own towns is just as meaningful.
Details on how to use the service and about the group's activities are on the official website. Whether you live in Sendai or not, please take a look.