Megumi GUNJI
We arrived at Palau International Airport around midnight of October 4, 2016, because our transit flight got delayed at Guam for about 4 hours. We moved to Koror in a very dark road. A long time had passed since I left my house in Japan.
From the next day, JICA orientation and Palauan language lesson began for 2 weeks. On October 17, 2016, I joined Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) in Malakal Power Plant, where I started my volunteer activity at the Power Generation Division of PPUC as a Technical Advisor. PPUC has 4 core operations, which are “Power Generation”, “Power Distribution”, “Water Supply” and “Waste Water Treatment”. PPUC is the only company that is serving the important infrastructure in Palau. The Power Generation Division of PPUC where I joined, has 10 megawatt diesel powered generators in Malakal and Aimeliik Power Plant, and power stations in Kayangel, Peleliu and Angaur.
I have an office in Malakal Power Plant and started my volunteer activities there. When I first started my work at the power plant, a lot of things were disorganized. Thus, I began KAIZEN Activities to improve safety and working environment. 5S Activity and Job Visibility of Kaizen were first priorities in my activities at the Malakal Power Plant. I simplified 5S activities into 3C Activities (Clean, Clear and Continue) and explained to staffs. Now all PPUC power stations are following the 3C Activities on their own initiatives.
The Job Visibility helps to reduce the loss of working time and increase the accuracy of work. For example, documents, operation/servicing manuals are sorted in order and monthly schedule is written on the white board for staffs. Tasks such as technical skill transfer to staffs and maintenance planning and activities of generators in remote islands are not completed yet, but I will hand the baton over to my successor.
During my stay, I visited the power stations in Kayangel, Peleliu and Angaur several times, and I was deeply impressed by shades of blue colors of the sea. There were times we suffered from rough water, but these have now become my good memories in Palau. Finally, I appreciate all PPUC members who supported my volunteer activities for 2 years.